Townsville, Mt Isa, and Bowen Visiting services to Ingham l Ayr l - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Townsville, Mt Isa, and Bowen

Visiting services to

Ingham l Ayr l Collinsville l Charters Towers

Who is Centacare?

 Centacare North Queensland is a not-for-

profit organisation with over 30 years professional service in Queensland

 Centacare has offices Australia wide and has

state and national bodies that it refers to

 Centacare services are based on the

principles of Catholic Social teachings which include: justice, equality, respect, professionalism, social mission and community development

Outline

Depression Anxiety Stress Where to go for help

Why?

 On average, 1 in 8 men will have depression and 1 in 5

men will experience anxiety at some stage of their lives.

 While women are more likely to experience depression

and anxiety, men are less likely to talk about it. This increases the risk of their depression or anxiety going unrecognised and untreated.

 Depression is a high risk factor for suicide and, in

Australia, there are approximately 2,200 suicides each

• year. 80 per cent are by men – with an average of 5 men

taking their lives every single day. Suicide is the leading cause of death for men under the age of 44, significantly exceeding the national road toll.

What is depression?

 While we might feel sad, moody or low

from time to time, some people experience these feelings intensely, for long periods of time (weeks, months or even years) and sometimes without any apparent reason. Depression is more than just a low mood – it's a serious illness that has an impact on both physical and mental health.

What causes Depression?

While the exact cause of depression isn't known, a number of things can be associated with its development.

Life events

 continuing difficulties – long-term employment/financial

issues, living in an abusive or uncaring relationship, long-term isolation or loneliness, prolonged exposure to stress at work – are more likely to cause depression than recent life stresses.

 recent events (such as losing a job/relationship) or a

combination of events can ‘trigger' depression in people who are already at risk because of past bad experiences or personal factors.

Per erso sonal nal fact ctor

• rs
• Family history – Depression can run in families and

some people will be at an increased genetic risk. However, this doesn't mean that a person will automatically experience depression if a parent or close relative has had the illness. Life circumstances and other personal factors are still likely to have an important influence.

• Personality – Some people may be more at risk of

depression because of their personality, particularly if they have a tendency to worry a lot, have low self- esteem, are perfectionists, are sensitive to personal criticism, or are self-critical and negative.

Per erson

• nal

al fact ctor

• rs
• Serious medical illness – Having a medical illness

can trigger depression in two ways. Serious illnesses can bring about depression directly, or can contribute to depression through associated stress and worry, especially if it involves long-term management of the illness and/or chronic pain.

• Drug and alcohol use – Drug and alcohol use can

both lead to and result from depression. Many people with depression also have drug and alcohol problems. Over 500,000 Australians will experience depression and a substance use disorder at the same time, at some point in their lives.

Physical –Changes to the brain

 What happens in the brain to cause depression is

not fully understood. Evidence suggests it may be related to changes in the levels or activity of certain chemicals –related to mood and motivation that carry messages within the brain.

 Changes to stress hormone levels have also been

found in people with depression. Research suggests that behaviour can affect brain chemistry – for example, long-term stress may cause changes in the brain that can lead to depression.

 Changes in brain chemistry have been more

commonly associated with severe depression rather than mild or moderate depression.

Signs and Symptoms

Behaviour

 not going out anymore  not getting things done at work/school/home  withdrawing from close family and friends  relying on alcohol and sedatives  not doing usual enjoyable activities  unable to concentrate

Feelings



• verwhelmed



guilty



Irritable/frustrated



lacking in confidence



unhappy



indecisive



disappointed



miserable/sad

Thoughts

 'I’m a failure.'  'It’s my fault.'  'Nothing good ever happens to me.'  'I’m worthless.'  'Life’s not worth living.'  'People would be better off without me.'

Physical



tired all the time



sick and run down



headaches and muscle pains



churning gut



sleep problems



loss or change of appetite



significant weight loss or gain

What is anxiety?

 Anxiety is more than just feeling stressed or

• worried. While stress and anxious feelings are

a common response to a situation where a person feels under pressure, it usually passes

• nce the stressful situation has passed, or

‘stressor’ is removed.

 Anxiety is when these anxious feelings don't

• subside. Anxiety is when they are ongoing and

exist without any particular reason or cause. It’s a serious condition that makes it hard for a person to cope with daily life.

What causes Anxiety?

 Family history of mental health problems  Ongoing stressful events

• job stress or job change
• change in living arrangements
• pregnancy and giving birth
• family and relationship problems
• major emotional shock following a stressful
• r traumatic event
• verbal, sexual, physical or emotional abuse
• r trauma
• death or loss of a loved one.

What causes Anxiety?

 Physical Health Problems

• hormonal problems (e.g. overactive

thyroid)

• diabetes
• asthma
• heart disease

 Substance Use  Personality factors

Signs and Symptoms

 Some common physical symptoms

include:

• hot and cold flushes
• racing heart
• tightening of the chest
• snowballing worries
• obsessive thinking and compulsive

behaviour.

Ge Generalised neralised an anxiet xiety y di disor

• rder

der

• For 6 months or more, on more days than not, have

felt very worried

• found it hard to stop worrying
• found that anxiety made it difficult to do everyday

activities (e.g. work, study, seeing friends and family)?

• feel restless or on edge
• feel easily tired
• had difficulty concentrating
• felt irritable
• had muscle pain (e.g. sore jaw or back)
• had trouble sleeping (e.g. difficulty falling or staying

asleep or restless sleep)?

Phobias (specific and social)

 Have felt very nervous when faced with a specific

• bject or situation? For example: flying on an

aeroplane

 going near an animal  receiving an injection  going to a social event?  Have avoided a situation because of a phobia? For

example:

 changed work patterns  not attended social events  avoided health check-ups  found it hard to go about your daily life (e.g. working,

studying or seeing friends and family) because you are trying to avoid such situations?

Stress

What is Stress?

 “A condition or feeling experienced when

a person perceives that demands exceed the personal and social resources the individual is able to mobilize.” Richard Lazarus

 A specific response by the body to a

stimulus, such as fear or pain, that disturbs or interferes with the normal physiological equilibrium of an organism

 Anything that stimulates you and

increases your alertness

 Stress is an unavoidable fact of life  This response is normal and useful in

the right time and place.

“Fight, Flight, Freeze or Fragment Response”

 During the “Fight, Flight, Freeze or Fragment”

response the body shifts its energy resources to do one of these things when there is a perceived threat

 This response causes the nervous system to

release adrenalin, making the heart beat faster, raise blood pressure, change digestive process, boost glucose levels in the bloodstream, rapid/shortness of breath, increase/decrease in appetite, nausea and effect normal functioning of the reproductive system

 Our quality of performance is related to

• ur level of stress

 Too little stress and we’re bored  An increase in stress, within our means,

is productive. This is the “optimum performance range.” E.g. Some nerves before sitting an important exam can increase performance

 Any stress beyond what we can handle

causes our performance to decline

Physical Symptoms Of Stress

Headaches Nervousness Acne/Skin problems Increased or decreased appetite Muscle aches and tension Increased heart pressure Nausea Stomach pain Diarrhoea Heartburn Digestive problems Breathing difficulties

Psychological Symptoms of Stress

Depression Hopelessness/Helplessness Feeling

• verwhelmed

Feelings of despair Feeling panicked/ Experiencing attacks Emotional Constant worrying Anxious/Racing thoughts Sense of loneliness/agitation Memory problems Pessimism

Behavioural Symptoms

Eating more or less Sleeping too much or too little Isolating yourself from others Procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities Using alcohol, cigarettes or drugs to relax Nervous habits (e.g. nail biting, pacing) Trouble Concentrating Memory Problems Irritability

Stress Reduction Strategies

 How can you reduce your stress levels?

 Self-Care  Relaxation  Breathing Exercises  Taking part in sport or community activities  Hobbies  Challenging Self Defeating Thoughts  Learning To Say No  Regular Breaks/Holidays

How Can You Reduce Your Stress Levels?

 Look after your body – your physical wellbeing

can affect your emotional wellbeing

 Diet – eat regular, healthy meals; avoid excessive

use of stimulants like caffeine and sugar; limit alcohol intake

 Exercise – exercise helps to reduce stress. Ensure

you’re getting regular exercise. Health professionals recommend 30 minutes of exercise at least 3 times per week

 Sleep – ensure that you are getting adequate sleep.

If not it is recommended you try some natural remedies or talk to your doctor

Alternative Ways To Let Off Steam

Services Available

 Internet:

 www.beyondblue.org.au  www.lifeline.org.au  www.reachout.com  www.mensline.org.au

 Phone:

 Lifeline 13 11 14  Mensline 1300 78 99 78  Kids helpline 1800 55 1800

Services Available

 General Practitioners (GPs)  Psychologists  Psychiatrists (Severe)  Mental health nurse practitioners  Social workers in mental health  Occupational therapists in mental health  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health

workers

 Counsellors  Hospitals  Crisis Assessment or Acute Treatment teams  Rural or remote areas

Services Available

 Centacare (Townsville, Cairns,

Mackay/Rockhampton, Brisbane)

 Relationships Australia (Townsville, Mackay,

Gladstone, Toowoomba, Brisbane)

 Headspace  Child and Youth Mental Health

Benefits Of Work Life Balance

 Individuals benefit from work life balance as

they are;

 Better able to manage multiple responsibilities

without feeling guilty about sacrificing other priorities

 More likely to feel in control of life  More secure, happier and motivated working for an

employer that supports the rights to work life balance

 Decreased levels of stress  Do not feel pressure to sacrifice work for other

priorities and vice versa

How To Achieve Work Life Balance

 Self Care – diet, exercise and sleep  Take time out for yourself each day  Take work leave regularly and don’t let it build

up over years

 Separate work and family life  Manage your time  Plan ahead  Work effectively so as to avoid over time

ACCESS Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

 Service provided by employer which is free,

voluntary and confidential

 Assists employees in dealing with personal,

family and work issues

 All ACCESS counsellors are qualified and

experienced

 Common presenting issues; stress, emotional

distress, conflict with fellow workers, grief and loss, family problems, parenting, gambling, alcohol and drug use

Centacare NQ Contact Details

Ph: (07) 47 729 000 Questions?

Thankyou for your participation in today’s presentation