Mental health is a community issue. What can we do about it?

A big part of mental health issues are compounded by isolation (physical and emotional), leaving those around them unsure about what they can actually do to help.

There are a number of different community projects that different places have put into place that have been found to be really effective and even bring tight-knit communities even closer.

Sheffield, a small town in Tasmania, experienced the devastating loss of 10 people from their community of 5,000, committed suicide within a three year period. It was at this point, that they created the CORES (Community Response to Eliminating Suicide) program. It has been difficult to measure the success of this program, though within that two-year period there were no suicides reported. Other members of the community reported using the training with those around them, which helped them to provide the support those individuals needed. This program has since been implemented in many other communities with a tremendous response.

Another program that communities can employ is Mental Health First Aid. The standard training is a 12 hour course which covers a range of different issues such as depression, anxiety, psychosis, substance use problems, as well as suicidal thoughts & behaviours, self-harm and many more.

Anxiety is a growing issue and those who experience intense anxiety are getting younger and younger. Small Steps is a program that is run in schools for staff and parents, providing resources, insights and tools to assist children who may be struggling with anxiety and referral options for further treatment. The seminars run for an hour and are funded by NSW Health.

For secondary schools, Beyond Blue has initiated a program called Mind Matters is a foundational framework that provides staff with resources and tools to promote positive mental health. As it is essentially a framework, schools have the flexibility to adapt their approach to suit their students and school community specifically.

The purpose of these programs is not to train people to be professionals and engage them in long term care, it is to train individuals to recognise signs and symptoms and arm them with tools and resources they can draw on to help those around them.  In doing so, the stigma of mental health is reduced and there will be an increase in social support for those living with mental health complications.

There are many more programs and initiatives out there, and so many possibilities for new programs to specifically address communities on a local level.

The big question is:  What can you do for your community?

Written by  Jess Mannion Grad. Cert. in Family Therapy Grad Member CCAA Provisional Member PACFA – 22436

References:

[1] http://www.cores.org.au/our-journey/

[1] http://www.abc.net.au/landline/content/2006/s1794064.htm

[1] http://www.abc.net.au/landline/content/2008/s2381297.htm

[1] https://mhfa.com.au/courses/public/types/standard

[1] http://www.mentalhealth.asn.au/programs/small-steps-seminars

[1] http://www.mindmatters.edu.au/about-mindmatters/what-is-mindmatters

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