Post by emilykate on May 18, 2010 19:21:01 GMT -5
Mental health has been for some time now an issue very close to me.
I think we have a very long way to go - regardless of gender, sex, race, class... - in terms of how we approach mental health in all sectors of society. I have found that mental health is often not properly understood - by schools and teaching institutions, by workplaces, by family and friends. I want to work to reverse this situation.
Two things I want to say first up:
1) It is not uncommon to experience a mental illness - either first hand or through someone close to you.
In 2007 the Australian Bureau of Statistics found in its National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing Survey that "lmost half of the Australian population (45.5%) experience mental illness at some point in their lifetime", with 20% of the population having had a mental disorder within the previous twelve months.
Breaking this up by gender, they found that in the previous twelve months (2007) 22.3% of women and 17.6% of men had had a mental disorder.
I'll to go further in saying that, personally, I wouldn't be at all surprised if these figures where higher still, with many people I have come into contact with not realising/acknowledging they have a mental illness.
I wish to note also, when someone close to you suffers from a mental illness, it can be a very difficult thing to witness - and a challenge to stand by them. I add that having a mental illness is difficult enough, even with the steadfast support of those you love most. It may be exhausting, it will definitely take courage, but in the end we really do have to take care of each other - and are capable of doing just that.
It's also not unreasonable to ask for help yourself if you are a friend/relative/colleague of a person with a mental illness - make use of helplines, talk to a health care professional, let another friend know how you're feeling and what you're going through (it doesn't have t be a mutual friend and you don't need to name names of the person in question) and do look after yourself also. I speak from experience here!
2) There is a host of people and groups, organisations that you can turn to.
I will begin to list them in this board and encourage you to take note - whether or not you are currently experiencing any mental health concerns. I also encourage you to add any other resources you have used or heard of and have found to be useful/informative/encouraging.supportive/uplifting.
I believe that a positive step towards better mental health on a collective, society-wide level is 1) knowing how to recognise the risks and potentials for a mental illness in yourself and those around you, 2) opening stigma-free discussion based on a strong and realistic hope for constant improvements in understanding, diagnosis, treatment and and 3) knowing where you can turn if you or someone close to you is potentially experiencing a mental illness.
When it comes to women and mental health in Australia, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing Survey, "Women were more likely than men to have experienced anxiety disorders (17.9% compared with 10.8%) and affective disorders (7.1% compared with 5.3%). On the other hand, men were more than twice as likely as women to have substance use disorders (7.0% compared with 3.3%)." The study also found that "[t]he highest percentage of mental illness was reported forthose aged 16 to 24 years (26.4%) and 25 to 34 years (24.8%)" - something that I am keenly aware of as a Women's Officer, given that the majority of students on campus are 17-34 years old. I hasten to add that this is by no means is a suggestion that I don't think that mature age students (23 years and older) are 'unlikely' to experience mental illness - mental illness is present in all age groups and all sectors of society.
Take the time to familiarise yourself with some the information on this board, especially in terms of services.
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For example:
And then continue with your post.
I hope that this board will build up a vast supply of useful resources, and be informative, uplifting, reassuring and above all useful to you.[/size]
I think we have a very long way to go - regardless of gender, sex, race, class... - in terms of how we approach mental health in all sectors of society. I have found that mental health is often not properly understood - by schools and teaching institutions, by workplaces, by family and friends. I want to work to reverse this situation.
Two things I want to say first up:
1) It is not uncommon to experience a mental illness - either first hand or through someone close to you.
In 2007 the Australian Bureau of Statistics found in its National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing Survey that "lmost half of the Australian population (45.5%) experience mental illness at some point in their lifetime", with 20% of the population having had a mental disorder within the previous twelve months.
Breaking this up by gender, they found that in the previous twelve months (2007) 22.3% of women and 17.6% of men had had a mental disorder.
I'll to go further in saying that, personally, I wouldn't be at all surprised if these figures where higher still, with many people I have come into contact with not realising/acknowledging they have a mental illness.
I wish to note also, when someone close to you suffers from a mental illness, it can be a very difficult thing to witness - and a challenge to stand by them. I add that having a mental illness is difficult enough, even with the steadfast support of those you love most. It may be exhausting, it will definitely take courage, but in the end we really do have to take care of each other - and are capable of doing just that.
It's also not unreasonable to ask for help yourself if you are a friend/relative/colleague of a person with a mental illness - make use of helplines, talk to a health care professional, let another friend know how you're feeling and what you're going through (it doesn't have t be a mutual friend and you don't need to name names of the person in question) and do look after yourself also. I speak from experience here!
2) There is a host of people and groups, organisations that you can turn to.
I will begin to list them in this board and encourage you to take note - whether or not you are currently experiencing any mental health concerns. I also encourage you to add any other resources you have used or heard of and have found to be useful/informative/encouraging.supportive/uplifting.
I believe that a positive step towards better mental health on a collective, society-wide level is 1) knowing how to recognise the risks and potentials for a mental illness in yourself and those around you, 2) opening stigma-free discussion based on a strong and realistic hope for constant improvements in understanding, diagnosis, treatment and and 3) knowing where you can turn if you or someone close to you is potentially experiencing a mental illness.
We are not alone.
When it comes to women and mental health in Australia, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing Survey, "Women were more likely than men to have experienced anxiety disorders (17.9% compared with 10.8%) and affective disorders (7.1% compared with 5.3%). On the other hand, men were more than twice as likely as women to have substance use disorders (7.0% compared with 3.3%)." The study also found that "[t]he highest percentage of mental illness was reported forthose aged 16 to 24 years (26.4%) and 25 to 34 years (24.8%)" - something that I am keenly aware of as a Women's Officer, given that the majority of students on campus are 17-34 years old. I hasten to add that this is by no means is a suggestion that I don't think that mature age students (23 years and older) are 'unlikely' to experience mental illness - mental illness is present in all age groups and all sectors of society.
Take the time to familiarise yourself with some the information on this board, especially in terms of services.
Contributors remember - the Victorian Cross Campus Women's Network Forum Guidelines (the first post on each board) apply.
In addition, please note that I add to this one simple rule: if you are posting something which may be confronting, triggering or upsetting INCLUDE A CLEAR WARNING AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE, IN CAPITAL LETTERS, preferable with large, bolded font and SOME ROOM BEFORE THE MAIN BODY OF TEXT.
In addition, please note that I add to this one simple rule: if you are posting something which may be confronting, triggering or upsetting INCLUDE A CLEAR WARNING AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE, IN CAPITAL LETTERS, preferable with large, bolded font and SOME ROOM BEFORE THE MAIN BODY OF TEXT.
[/center]
For example:
I WISH TO FOREWARN YOU THAT CONTENTS IN THIS POST MAY BE UPSETTING/TRIGGERING/CONFRONTING. Remember, if anything here or anywhere else troubles you in any way or to any extent, YOU CAN ALWAYS TALK TO SOMEONE ABOUT IT.
And then continue with your post.
I hope that this board will build up a vast supply of useful resources, and be informative, uplifting, reassuring and above all useful to you.[/size]
