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WHAT ARE MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL ILLNESS?

Good mental health is a sense of wellbeing, confidence and self-esteem. It enables us to fully enjoy and appreciate other people, day-to-day life and our environment.

A mental illness is a diagnosable illness which causes major changes in a person’s thinking, emotional state and behaviour, and disrupts the person’s ability to study or work and carry on their usual personal relationships.

A mental health problem also affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves, but to a lesser extent than a mental illness

IN EDUCATION WE DO A LOT WITH MENTAL HEALTH We PREVENT mental health problems

by creating environments that foster connectedness and predictability.

We TEACH students the skills for good mental health

We INTERVENE EARLY when problems are small and easier to change

We REINFORCE any individual intervention a clinician provides by working collaboratively.

WHEN MUST I ACT URGENTLY?

If the student says

“I want to kill myself” or

“I’m going to do something silly” or

“I’m not going to be here tomorrow” or

“You won’t have to worry about me anymore”

Or anything else that signals they intend to kill themselves:

You must act straight away

URGENT ACTION IN THE CASE OF SUICIDE IDEAS:

1. Tell the Principal2. The Principal MUST tell the parent3. A Risk Assessment must be undertaken by someone who has had training (supplied by DoE)4. A plan must be made to keep the student:

Safe for now,Safe in the futureAt home and at schoolHelp is available from the School Psych

service and from CAMHS

YOU MUST ALSO ACT URGENTLY (INFORM PRINCIPAL AND PARENT) IF:

You are worried about self harm (the student is, has, or says they want to hurt themselves)

You are worried about someone else hurting the student (child protection concerns and how to manage them are another presentation…)

BUT WHAT ABOUT CONFIDENTIALITY?

Duty of Care trumps Confidentiality.

We don’t completely chuck it out the window – but we tell those people who need to know to keep the student safe.

WHEN SHOULD I BE WORRIED? If things change… Behaviour Eating Sleeping Mood Relationships with others Home life (significant changes)

Have a chat to the student and ASK

about these changesThere may be a perfectly reasonable explanation OR it may signify the student’s mental health is not as good as we would like.

WHAT ARE SOME THINGS I SHOULD BE ALERT TO?

Possible Depression: Feeling down or lowFeeling angry or irritableLoss of pleasure/ interest in activitiesLack of energyGuiltSuicidal ideation/intentionProblems concentratingChange in appetite – weight loss or gainAgitation/retardation of movementSleep disturbance – too little or too much

WHAT ARE SOME THINGS I SHOULD BE ALERT TO?

Possible Anxiety symptoms:

• PHYSICAL

Cardiovascular: palpitations, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, flushing

Respiratory: hyperventilation, shortness of breath

Neurological: dizziness, headache, sweating, tingling and numbness

Gastrointestinal: choking, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea

Musculoskeletal: muscle aches and pains (esp. neck, shoulders), restlessness, tremor and shaking

PSYCHOLOGICAL

Unrealistic or excessive fear and worry, mind racing or going blank, decreased concentration and memory, indecisiveness, irritability, impatience, anger, confusion, feeling ‘on edge’, nervousness, tiredness, sleep disturbances, vivid dreams.

BEHAVIOURAL

Avoidance of situations, obsessive or compulsive behaviour, distress in social situations, phobic behaviour, increased use of alcohol and other drugs.

A BIT ABOUT POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can occur after a person experiences what they perceive to be a traumatic event ( E.g. accidents, assaults, abuse, bullying, bushfires)

Witnessing or hearing about a traumatic event can also result in PTSD (this is called vicarious trauma)

Symptoms of PTSD may include:

Re-experiencing the trauma through: Recurring dreams, Flashbacks, Intrusive memories

Avoidance behaviour

Emotional numbing

Reduced interest in other and the outside world

Increased emotional distress : irritability, jumpiness, outbursts of rage, insomnia

Not all people who experience a traumatic event will develop PTSD

Some people will be OK by themselves. Others may develop depression or other anxiety disorders

Risk increases if: The young person already has a mental illness There is a sense of helplessness or horror at the time of the trauma.

It is normal to have an extreme reaction immediately following an event. If person is still distressed after a month then they may develop PTSD

MENTAL HEALTH IS A SCHOOL ISSUE BECAUSE:

Schools are an INCREDIBLY powerful protective factor for students

Schools can TEACH students how to have good mental health (it’s a set of skills just like those for maintaining good physical health)

Schools can co-ordinate services for vulnerable students (often better than parents may be able to)

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I’M WORRIED ABOUT A STUDENT?

1. Talk to the student. Let them know that you are and you are worried about them because (insert what you have noticed).

1. Talk to the parent. Let them know that you are and you are worried about them because (insert what you have noticed).2. Speak to the SAER co or Student Services co at your school about referral options (CAMHS, Kinway, headspace, Boab Health, GP referral to private psych – all these are FREE)

I’m worried about a student’s… (a guide to School Psychology Service referrals in the Kimberley)

WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE?

Kidsmatter: https://www.kidsmatter.edu.au/families/resources/about-mental-health• Your School Psychologist• Child and Adolescent

Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Education Liaison Teacher (CELT) is a great resource and can provide whole school PD