Learn by Design NCS Staff Training Programme Autumn 2017
Aims by the end of this session I will : Know what Mental Health is Identify common mental health difficulties Recognise how these can have an impact on NCS participation Explore useful strategies when supporting someone with mental health difficulties Know what resilience is and how I can help to increase it in my NCS team
What is mental health and why does it matter? We are all mental beings in the same way we are all physical beings, our mental health is just as important as our physical health. Mental health is defined as A state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community. World Health Organisation (2004)
What is a mental health difficulty? Mental health problems range from the worries we all experience as part of everyday life to serious long-term conditions. The majority of people who experience mental health problems can get over them or learn to live with them, especially if they get help early on. Mental Health Foundation (2014)
Statistics 1 in 4 people will experience mental health difficulties at some point in their lives (Mental Health Foundation 2014). 1 in 10 children will experience mental health problems (Mental Health Foundation 2014). 10-13% of 15-16 year olds have self harmed (The Princes Trust 2010). The UK has one of the highest rates of self-harm in Europe at 400 per 100,000 (Mental Health Foundation 2014). The two health issues currently using most health resources are heart problems and mental health. Numbers are still increasing (Mental Health Foundation 2014)
Activity When you ve done it, turn to the next slide
Common causes of mental health difficulties in young people Change (moving house, moving school/college, new sibling, transition to adulthood emotional turmoil) Click to add text Parent with mental health problems Long term physical illness Bereavement Click Parents to add text who separate/divorce Sexual/Physical abuse Poverty and/or homelessness Discrimination against their race, religion or sexuality Carer taking on adult responsibilities Long standing educational difficulties
Help and Support Young people are very vulnerable at this stage in their lives there are many changes taking place. It is our job, as NCS staff to support them, listen to their concerns, open up group discussion in reflection sessions (protecting anonymity) to show that they are not alone and help them realise their potential. If, at any stage, you feel unsure or believe there might be a safeguarding or mental health concern affecting a team member, talk to your wave leader or welfare officer.
What is resilience? Resilience is a key factor in protecting and promoting good mental health. Click to add It text is the quality of Click being to add able text to deal with Click the to ups add and text downs of life, and is based on self esteem. Quality Protects Research Briefing No 9 : Promoting the mental health of children in need. (Dr Heather Payne & Professor Ian Butler) 2003 DfES, Research in Practice Boucebackability Beating the odds whilst also changing the odds. Cliffe & Thorne-Stewart (December 2015) Boingboing working definition (December 2013)
Current research into resilience states a need for core needs to be addressed. Resilience in practice NCS activities provide the ideal opportunity to enable participants to achieve good outcomes against all odds and thus increase their chances of maintaining good mental health
Core Needs The Resilience Framework Basics Belonging Learning Coping Core Self
Basics and Belonging Basics NCS should provide a safe environment, access & transport, food, exercise and fresh air, enough sleep, play and leisure, freedom from prejudice/ discrimination Belonging NCS teamwork gives young people a sense of belonging, an opportunity to tap into good influences, make friends and maintain relationships, access to support networks, and a set of responsibilities and obligations
Learning and Coping Learning we should make NCS life work as well as possible by mentoring, discussing career or life plans, helping to develop self organisation, highlighting achievements and developing life skills Coping young people on NCS should understand boundaries and keep them, have opportunities to be brave, solve problems, identify the positives in situations, calm and sooth themselves and others, lean on others, have a laugh and remember that tomorrow is another day
Core Self Core self instilling a sense of hope, understanding other people s feelings, knowing yourself, fostering your talents
Types of Mental Illness There are many types of mental illness and, depending on how mental illness is described, 10 or 25% of people living in the United Kingdom can be considered to have had a mental illness at some point in their lives. Like many other illnesses it is common and can occur at any time and happen to any one of us. There are many types of mental illness but the easiest way of defining them are as either psychotic or neurotic. Most conditions fit into either of these categories. (What is Mental Illness?. Available: http://www.sabp.nhs.uk/advice/faqs-anddiagnoses/whatismentalillness. Last accessed 15/2/16.)
Psychosis or Neurosis? Definition of psychosis, A severe mental disorder in which thought and emotions are so impaired that contact is lost with external reality. Definition of neurosis, A relatively mild mental illness that is not caused by organic disease, involving symptoms of stress (depression, anxiety, obsessive behaviour, hypochondria) but not a radical loss of touch with reality. Oxford Dictionaries online (2014)
Some common mental health difficulties Depression Anxiety Obsessive-compulsive disorder Phobias Bipolar disorder (formerly known as manic depression) Click to add text Click to add text Click to add text Schizophrenia Personality disorders Eating disorders Self-harm Suicidal thoughts Panic attacks For more information on these visit: http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/a-z-mental-health/
Depression In it mildest form low spirits, doesn t stop someone leading their life but it may feel Click to add text meaningless and not worthwhile. Clinical and severe depression can be life threatening, people can feel worthless and sometimes suicidal. Can present itself in many ways including: low mood, mood swings, withdrawn, no confidence, very low self-esteem, emotional (crying), feeling of hopelessness, negative thinking patterns/self-talk and sometimes psychosis. Click to add text
What keeps depression going? Click to add text Feeling low, tearful and upset Click to add text Physically lethargic, tired and/or irritable Thoughts are negative and centred around failure Withdrawn behaviour, disengaged, avoiding social contact, staying in bed
What helps to overcome depression? Click Help to add young text people to Click challenge to add text unhelpful thoughts Click to add text Help them to develop strategies to make good use of time, find the motivation to get out of bed and do something Notice their personal qualities and acknowledge their achievements Help them to improve their problem solving skills and manage their worries Find professional help for them to tackle symptoms self-harm, OCD, phobias
Catch it : Thought record App There are apps available that young people with depression or anxiety might find useful here is an example Click to add text Click to add text Click to add text
Black Dog this is a video of a book written by Matthew Johnstone which gives a good insight into how people with depression feel and how they learn to live with it Click to add text Click to add text https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbjl7yqlwow
Anxiety Anxiety is a symptom or an emotion which Click to add is produced text as a result of a fear of something. Overestimation of danger/threat + Underestimation of ability to cope or likelihood of getting help from others = Anxiety Click to add text
Types of Anxiety Specific Phobia Separation anxiety Social anxiety/phobias General anxiety Exam stress
Physical symptoms of anxiety Click to add text Click to add text Click to add text Rapid, shallow breathing Nausea Twitches/tics Tremors and shaking Lack of appetite Sleep disturbance Dry mouth Headaches Ringing in ears Grinding teeth Numbness and tingling Weight loss Choking sensation Sweating Tiredness Hair loss
Emotional responses Click to add text Click to add text Click to add text Fear Dread Panic Frustration Anger Disappointment Sadness Irritability Tearfulness
Behavioural responses Click to add text Click to add text Click to add text Avoidance Compulsive behaviours Repetitive behaviours Safety behaviours Risk taking behaviours
Psychosis It is very rare for a young person with a psychosis to sign up to NCS, purely because Click to add participation text in NCS could cause a great deal of anxiety and stress to an individual with a psychotic condition. However, we have included this in our training as it is interesting and having a level of understanding about these conditions may help you if your team chose to support a mental health charity as part of their social action project. Click to add text https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3_hny4gfly
Symptoms of Psychosis include: Click to add text Click to add text Click to add text Hallucinations - sight, sounds, touch, smell and taste Delusions - paranoid delusion or delusion of grandeur Confused and disturbed thoughts A lack of insight and self-awareness
Impact mental health difficulties can have on participation and what to look out for Inability to make decisions Slow processing speed Feeling withdrawn Tension/anger Panic attacks Low mood/mood swings Negative thinking patterns and self talk Lethargy/tiredness Lack of engagement Poor concentration Inability to focus, remain focussed and swap between tasks Poor memory Poor motivation
Strategies to support participants with mental health difficulties Provide timetables as early as possible; go over the next day with them the night before Be clear about your role and boundaries Create a support network; introduce them to other staff on site Establish a safe word or signal for time out
Strategies to support participants with mental health difficulties Planning promotes a feeling of control which will help them to cope better so support organisation and time management Support them to plan and structure work and ideas Identify symptoms, emotions and behaviours associated with anxiety. Sometimes anxiety can be confused as challenging behaviour.
Strategies to support participants with mental health difficulties Reasonable adjustments Think about seating, arriving to sessions on time, the use of fidgets or Thera putty Learning to relax/breathing control Preparation is key share contingency plans.
Strategies to support participants with mental health difficulties Use of alternative methods of communication Diary of emotions. Knowing someone cares Daily text or email. Be available to listen Set small steps and goals for individuals and praise all achievements recognising the smallest progress made
ANSWER THE FOLLOWING Now answer the following: 1. What ratio of people will experience mental health difficulties at some point in their life? A) 1 in 20 B) 1 in 3 C) 1 in 4 D) 1 in 10 2. What ratio of children will experience mental health difficulties? A) 1 in 50 B) 1 in 3 C) 1 in 20 D) 1 in 10 3. Resilience is.a) Beating the odds whilst also changing the odds B) Refusal to face difficulties C) Putting obstacles in the way of people D) Submitting to difficulties and giving in 4. Which of these is NOT a core need on the resilience framework? A) Food and drink B) Belonging C) Learning D) Coping 5. Which book written by Matthew Johnson helps to describe life for a person with depression A) Black Mood B) Black Dog C) Black Cat C) Black Cloud 6. Overestimation of danger/threat + underestimation of ability to cope or likelihood of getting help from others = A) Psychosis B) Schizophrenia C) Anxiety D) Anaphylaxis 7. Which of the following is NOT a physical symptom of anxiety? A) Twitches B) Dry mouth C) Hallucinations D) Tiredness 8. Planning promotes a feeling of control which will help young people to cope better True or False