Geelong Mood Support Group - Community Education

Community Education

Turning Mental Health on its Head!

“There’s something taboo about admitting you’re depressed, which is terrible. It would be a wonderful freedom for people if they were taught – around these ages (late teenage), or these situations – you’ll probably become depressed, and it’s okay, go into it, learn from it.”

Tim Finn “Good Weekend” 1995

Introduction

The G.M.S.G. prides itself on being able to deliver this exceptional program. Over eight years our presenters have addressed over 5,000 students across the region; spreading hope, understanding, knowledge and action on mental health issues faced by all in our community. At our core is the belief that with early formal support, self-action, peer support, empowerment and understanding the negative effects of poor mental health can be significantly reduced.

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Aims

To give accurate information about mental illness (with a focus on depression and manic depression) to young people in Australia.
To dispel the myths and stigma that surround mental illness.
To give information to young Australians about information networks and available support for people with a mental illness and their families and friends.
To provide a view of mental illness through the eyes of those who have experienced poor mental health.
Promote good mental health coping strategies and practices.
Decrease the debilitating affect of stigma.
Promote the capacities and qualities of people diagnosed with a mental illness.

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Target Group

Our education program has various forms of presentation and can be delivered to a number of school aged children from year 8 to 12; to University students and to community organisations across the Barwon South West region.

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Presentation

The attached notes are to give you some information about the Mental Health Education program our team of presenters is trained to present.
Each presentation can be structured to:

INTRODUCTION
Who we are, the group that we represent, an outline of what the presentation will cover.

FACTS AND STATISTICS
No one is immune. A look at the percentage of our population that is affected by Mental Illness A few facts and statistics and why it is that young people may be at risk.

DEFINING MENTAL ILLNESS
IS a group of illnesses, affects perceptions, interpretations and feelings, a genuine physical illness, a treatable illness.

IS NOT selective, a developmental disability, an intellectual disorder, contagious.

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
Chemical imbalance, Genetics, Hormones, Drugs and Alcohol; Physical or Emotional Stress or Trauma, Environment.

A BRIEF LOOK AT TYPES OF MENTAL ILLNESS
Eating disorders- Anorexia and Bulimia, Anxiety Disorders- Phobias, OCD, Social Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia

COMMUNITY ATTITUDES
We look at the negative name-calling and stereotyping that can often occur with those who suffer from a mental illness. Along with this, we give attention to the feelings and difficulties that both the sufferers and carers may experience.

FAMILY AND FRIENDS
What do you do if you have a family member or friend who has a mental illness? Remember the individual, don’t focus on the illness, and relate to them as you would to anyone else.

MAINTAINING MENTAL HEALTH.
Definition of mental health. Physical health and mental health. Stress management. The importance of seeking help. The importance of talking about problems.

WHERE TO GET HELP
Negotiating the maze, Local GP, Barwon Health, Support groups, etc.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
We encourage questions throughout the presentation and endeavour to answer them as they come up. We also try to allow time at the end for any other questions.