Promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing in Victoria - Research Paper Example

Promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing in Victoria Mental health and wellbeing is one of the increasing health illnesses inAustralia. Mental wellbeing is determined by social, economic, biological and environmental factors. Social determinants include the degree of individual sense of belonging and self-esteem which is linked to the social cohesiveness of the community. Certain biological factors like hereditary genes and birth complications can also lead to mental disorders in later ages. Environmental factors like the quality of life in the neighborhoods which is influenced by the presence or absence of crime and violence, the social amenities and services will also determine the mental health and wellbeing of a person. Mental wellbeing leads to full development of social, cognitive and emotional capabilities which help an individual in coping with normal life stress. Mental wellbeing leads to stable family relationships and high social development. Strategies which can help in improving the mental health of the population include avoidance of discrimination and inequalities in the distribution of support services like education and employment opportunities. Promotion of social skills which improve self-esteem and promote social cohesiveness will reduce mental stress thus leading to mental wellbeing. Framework for Promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing in Victoria Introduction According to the Australia’s National Mental Health plan, mental health has been defined as the state of social wellbeing and emotional balance in which an individual is able to cope with the normal stresses of life and achieve their full potential (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2010). Mental health and wellbeing includes the ability of an individual to work productively and interact with other individuals and groups equitably in an environment which promotes optimum opportunities for social development and use of mental capabilities (Cattan, & Tilford, 2006). Mental illness hinders the emotional, social and cognitive capabilities while mental wellbeing is concerned with the mental satisfaction, the sense of belonging and the self esteem of an individual in the social environment. Globally, it is estimated that about 450 million people suffer from mental problems and disorders (Cattan, & Tilford, 2006). Mental health and wellbeing is determined by socio-economic, biological and environmental factors (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2010). It is estimated that about thirty percent of the young people in Australia suffer from mental disorders with adolescent from poor neighborhoods with no access to basic recreational and support facilities being the most affected (Barkway, 2009). In this research paper, we shall focus on the mental health and wellbeing in Australia and in particular the adolescents. We shall discuss the social-economic, biological and environments factors which determine the mental health and wellbeing of the adolescents and the intervention measures which have been implemented by the Department of Human sciences (DHS). The interventions which will be reviewed include the promotion of social support services and the reduction of discrimination in the society. Literature review Health can be defined as the physical, mental and social wellbeing and the state of absence of any disease (Cattan, & Tilford, 2006). Mental wellbeing allows individuals to adjust to stresses of life and contribute to the development of the communities. Mental health and wellbeing is significant in Australia since it improves the social and economic environment in which the populations interact (Cattan, & Tilford, 2006). Mental health is critical in coping with economic stress in the communities. Mental health and wellbeing will ultimately lead to low levels of social exclusion and enhanced social cohesion and support (Barkway, 2009). Mental illness and disorders in Australia affect different age groups in the population like the children, adolescent, young adults and elderly people. Adolescents are the most affected since they have not access to basic social support services like proper housing and education skills (Neville, & Byrne, 2009). Mental health and wellbeing among adolescents in Australia continues to be an alarming issue with the number of mental ill patients among this population group increasing every day. About five percent of the children below the age of five years suffer from mental illness which has been attributed to biological factors like low birth weight and other birth complications (Karch, & Kirsten, 2011). Thirty percent of adolescents have mental problems while only twenty percent of young adults have mental complications. However, only ten percent of the elderly people above the age of sixty five years have shown symptoms of mental problems which has being attributed to the high income levels among the elderly (Neville, & Byrne, 2009). The mental health statistics have shown a lot of disparities along the genders, the income levels, the rural and urban populations, the educated and uneducated populations. Mental health problems are high among the uneducated population than the educated population which can be attributed to the ease of the latter to access social support services due to high chances of employment and high income levels. Interesting, the urban population accounts for about eighty percent of the mental illness victims which has being attributed to poor social cohesion and neighborhoods in the urban areas as well as inadequate recreational facilities due to overpopulation of the cities (Talbot, & Verrinder, 2009). Mental health problems are high among the men which has being attributed to high likelihood of substance misuse among the men than women (Barkway, 2009). Environmental determinants of mental health and wellbeing Mental health and wellbeing is strongly linked to the environmental welfare of the individual. Social risk factors which may contribute to mental disorders and problems include isolation and alienation of the individual in the society and neighborhood crime and violence (Karch, & Kirsten, 2011). Anti-social behaviors like crime and violence towards an individual will also affect the mental wellbeing which leads to poor mental health. Some cultural practices and injustices to a particular gender like women discrimination in leadership and employment opportunities creates a feeling of social exclusion which affects the mental wellbeing of the particular individual (Compoton, 2010). Other risk factors in the social environment include the lack of employment and the high degree of work related stress. Lack of basic social amenities and benefits like good education, housing and recreational facilities will also include mental stress which contributes to high instances of mental disorders. Biological determinants of mental health and wellbeing Social factors are not the only determinants of mental health and wellbeing as there are also certain biological factors which can hinder the full development of the mental abilities hence hindering the capability to cope with normal life stress. Such biological risk factors include the birth complications and the birth weight (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2010). Generally, low birth weight babies are more likely to develop mental disorders in their later years due low development of some of the metal capability genes at the time of birth. According to previous studies, mental health and wellbeing can be determined by hereditary factors hence parental mental illness is critical is determining whether an individual is at risk of developing mental complications (Talbot, & Verrinder, 2009). DHS has claimed that seventy percent of all mental health patients have some hormonal genes which can be traced from parental mental illness (Barkway, 2009). Some doctors have warned that parental substance abuse may lead to development of mental disorders to future generations since some chemical substances are transferred to the child (Karch, & Kirsten, 2011). Certain events like loss of a close family friend may also lead to mental stress which ultimately leads to mental disorders (Compoton, 2010). Other biological determinants of mental health and wellbeing can include stressful events which the adolescent may undergo through like sexual and physical abuse which negatively affects their emotional balance and the ability to cope with normal life stress. Existing strategies Mental health and wellbeing intervention strategies which have been implemented by Department of Human sciences in Australia aim at reducing the risk factors for mental illness like provision of social support services like recreational facilities (Compoton, 2010). The strategies also address the environmental factors like beliefs and attitudes of the communities towards particular gender. The interventions also address the social cohesiveness of the society by implementation of certain measures which aim at increasing self-esteem and feelings of belonging which promote individual competences in the social development of the communities (Barkway, 2009). Reduction of discrimination The strategies which have been implemented to cater for the mental health and wellbeing are downstream and include removing the structural barriers to mental wellbeing like reduction of discrimination and inequalities thus all adolescents have equal access and opportunities in employment, housing and education (Karch, & Kirsten, 2011). Numerous legislations have been enacted to guarantee equal access of support services like transport services, health services, education, employment, recreational and sporting services and other community services (Compoton, 2010). Various States in Australia have implemented mental health programs which cater for the unique needs of different groups like the infants, youth and elderly people. Promotion of social welfare of adolescents Another downstream strategy which has been implemented is the empowerment of adolescents and the communities. This has been done through engaging the adolescents in social skills and good physical health activities which has improved their ability to tolerate stress (Compoton, 2010). The social strategies are geared at improving the self esteem and feelings of belonging among the adolescents and creating a sense of security and control over their behavior (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2010). The social strategy has addressed the stability of families through promotion of good parenting skills and creation of community networks which are supportive (Talbot, & Verrinder, 2009). Conclusion Mental health and wellbeing is also important since it increases the access to other opportunities like good education, higher chances of employment and adequate housing in the society. At the family level, mental health promotion will lead stable family relationships and good parenting skills which contribute to enhanced social support. The long-term benefits of mental health intervention strategies will include decrease in mental health symptoms and decline in substance abuse. The strategies will also lead to enhanced physical health and high quality of life and tolerance among the population in Australia. Evaluation The research paper on the state of mental health and illness among adolescents in Australia is helpful since it will allow policy makers in the development of guidelines which address different intervention strategies in combating the problem. The research paper will allow a health professional to develop skills of early identification of mental illness symptoms and refer the patient to the relevant mental health professional for treatment. The research paper has identified the leading causes of mental health problems among different age groups in Australia and the best strategies which can address the risk factors. References: Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2010). 2010 Year Book Australia. Victoria: ABS. Barkway, P. (2009). Psychology for Health Professionals. Malden, Mass.: Polity Press Cattan, M & Tilford, S. (2006). Mental Health Promotion: A lifespan Approach. London: Sage Compoton, M.T. (2010). Clinical manual of prevention in mental health. Lanham u.a.: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Karch, R & Kirsten, W. (2011). Global perspectives in workplace health promotion. N.Y.: Cornell University Press Neville, C & Byrne, G. (2009). Community mental health for older people. Leichhardt: Federation press Talbot, L & Verrinder, G. (2009). Promoting Health: The primary health care approach. London: Terrence Higgins Trust Read More