...Picture 9: Mental Health Mental health has been described as the most pressing public health issue of our time with the mental health of youths becoming an increasingly important issue to address (Abraham, n.d.). A 2013-14 national survey conducted on the mental health and wellbeing of Australian children and adolescents showed that one in seven young Australians aged 4-17 were assessed as having a mental disorder in the past 12 months. Children under 17 are more likely to suffer from ADHD and anxiety disorders (7.4% and 6.9% being affected respectively) and the most debilitating disorder for this age group was found to be major depressive disorder, affecting 2.8%. Schools play a major role in providing education and support regarding mental...
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...INTRODUCTION It is obvious that we are faced with an aging population. Within three decades individuals aged 65 years or older are expected to make up 23% of the Australian population (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2013). This is a stable increase from 13% in 2007, emphasising Australia as an aging country (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2013). This is evident not only within the demographic regions of metropolitan and rural cities and towns of Australia but also among other countries in the world. It is with this discrepancy that presents such a large challenge within the population and from a health perspective. This essay will explore the social, cultural and psychological health related issues linked with growth in the aging population and will focus on the baby boomer generation and the co-morbidities that are notably prevalent in the elderly. This essay will also consider the future role of the nurse and how their profession will be impacted in response to these trends. WHY DO WE FACE AN AGING CRISIS? As fertility rates decline and longevity increases we are coming to face a shift in population distribution with a greater proportion of older adults (Anderson and Hussey, 2013). It is important to note that this increase is due particularly to the Baby Boomer generation growing older and associated aging co-morbidities on the rise. The Baby Boomer generation consists of those born from the years 1945-1964 (Berman et al., 2012). As this generation grows older...
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...Briefly Discuss DSM IV and ICD 10 and list the main categories of clinical disorders. The paper will discuss the main dangers of classification identified as labelling and Stigma which have lifelong implications for those diagnosed with a mental illness. The main advantages of classification such as most appropriate treatment and community education Definition of the Classification system used to Diagnosis Mental illness. As Social workers it important to try and grasp the concepts of how classification of mental illness is arrived at and to have a basic knowledge of the types of mental disorders people can be classified as having so we can understand the basis of a diagnosis. According Mendelson (2001) “Classification refers to ordering of objects into groups on the basis of their relationship. The result is a classificatory system. Nomenclature related to agreed names that have been assigned to disease or syndromes. Taxonomy covers principles and methods underlying the practice of classification. Finally, nosology denotes the conceptual system that supports the strategy of classifying.” ( Mendelson 2001 p. 63) Golightley (2004) text states that classification is an important step towards the diagnosis of a mental disorder. Mental disorder is broken down into various classifications that represent groups or syndromes of symptoms. Thus if a series of symptoms fits into a recognised pattern of behaviour they can be classified as for example, schizophrenia and a diagnosis...
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...Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders | April 3 2016 | | | Introduction Australian Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders are one the oldest communities of the Australia. About sixty-eight percent of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders live in the urban area of Australia like Queensland and New South Wales. Rest of the population resides in the remote areas of Australia. The recent surveys show that the population of aborigines and Torres Strait Islander are having a serious health issue of increasing mental illness (Busfield, 2012). Also, the rate of suicide is getting high amongst them. These people have a traditional view towards their health; they don’t just associate it with a person, but with the whole community and spiritual, social and emotional well-being of the whole community. The Australian Government and the health department are working hard to overcome the problem of mental disorder and high rate of suicide amongst the Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders (Whitlock, Wyman & Moore, 2014). Factors that are associated with mental disorder and suicide When a person is socially and emotionally unwell, and there is a remarkable change of behavior and thinking it is known as mental illness. According to a health survey in 2008, about thirty-one percent of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders aged above fifteen years were suffering from psychological distress of high level. Which was twice in comparison to non-aboriginals. This survey measured...
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...availability and lower levels of mental and physical health. Developing a domain with fortress from mental and physical abuse as well as offering possibilities for self-awareness is all indispensable for expanded and euphoric lives of Indigenous peoples. There...
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...article ‘Government will fail to meet five out of six closing the gap targets’ (Brennan 2015) and identifies the different social determinants of health in the article provided. The article examines holistic implications on the Australian Indigenous community in comparison to non-indigenous communities. The world health organisation defines social health of determinants as factors that affect the individual social, economic, mental and political aspects of their lives among many other factors (World Health Organisation 2015). A large percentage of the social determinants listed by the World Health Organisation affect the indigenous community in Australia in many of their current circumstances. This...
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...“…The right of persons to seek asylum from persecution” (UNHCR; 1967) is recognised by the United Nations Convention. Asylum seekers are known as persons who have fled their own country seeking protecting in fear for their life. Consequently, such persons often illegally arrive and enter countries such as Australia without valid visas. However, as part of the Human Rights signatory, Australia owes an international obligation towards all refugees and asylum seekers to “protect [their] human rights…” (Human Rights Commission (HRC)) as long as they are in Australian territory. Nevertheless, it has been continuously reported by the United Nations that Australia, through its detainment and treatment of refugees in detention centres, has penalised...
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...describe the role of Carers in Australia. Carer is a friend, neighbour, relative who will look after other person (someone who has disability, frail and aged care people). Mother is a carer for her children, children are carers for their parents, support worker is a carer for someone with disability etc. Carer is also a qualified paid worker with an expertise in health care needs of people with illness, disability and frail aged (the correct name for these people is support worker and they are employed by organisations that provides services). People become carers for different reasons. No two caring situations are the same. Carers are from diversity and circumstances. There is no rules about who can become a carer nor about what a carer is expected to do. There is no rule for an appropriate age of the carer. Carers don't chose to become carers it just happens and they have to get on with it. The role of carer range from helping with domestic duties, shopping assistance, paying bills at Australia Post to more complex duties such as helping with personal care for client who is hoisted or assisting client with daily bowel care program. The variety of the job and associated responsibilities are wide, everyday is different. In summary, carers play a vital role in our community, and we- people should get to know more about them as well as show appreciation if possible as they really deserve it. 2. Identify available resources for Carers in Australia – Include a copy of the resource...
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...Mental health refers to an individuals’ state regarding their psychological, social and emotional well-being. It influences the management and decision-making processes of an individual affecting the interaction with others, choices and stress handling. A survey conducted in 2007 by the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing released information detailing the prevalence of poor mental health in the Australian population. Half of the total population were identified to have experienced poor mental health within their lifetime at some stage (“Position Paper,” 2011). An estimated amount of over 800, 000 Australians were struggling with substance dependency, nearly 1 million had affective disorders and over 2.3 million had anxiety disorders (“Prevalence of Mental Health,” 2009). Throughout Australia, there are many organisations formed to provide...
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...influences an individual’s perception of illness and health.” 1000 wrds There are many definitions for 'culture' with the anthropologist Sir Edward Tylor (1871) cited by Ravalico (2006) defining it to mean 'that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom and any other capabilities and habits acquired by a member of society.' Culture also influences how one perceives their health and the idea of what it means to have ‘good health.’ One community group whose culture strongly impacts on individual’s perception of illness and health is the Australian Aboriginal community. Aboriginal Australians have a shorter life expectancy than others (ABS 2008, Shaouli et al 2011) which threatens Aboriginal culture as ‘elders’are the transmitters of Aboriginal culture. Aboriginal people experience worse health and more disease with the latter being three times more than that for the total Australian population (NATSIS 2008 cited by ABS 2008). Culture is one of the many social determinants of health and affects health (Carson, Dunbar, Chenhall and Bailie, 2007). Some indigenous people are fatalistic about their health (Thackrah and Scott 2011) although most can access medical help when needed providing they trusted their medical practitioners (ABS 2008, DATSIPD 2009). Other obstacles include language, lack of public transport and telecommunications (Shaouli et al 2011). Therefore, the impact of culture on individuals’ health is crucial to investigate as Aboriginal culture...
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...Introduction: The issue in the topic “NO CHILD'S PLAY: CHILDREN IN IMMIGRATION DETENTION” is about the asylum seekers including all non-citizens and children who seek entrance to Australia without a legal visa. They are often refugees from extremely poor and dangerous circumstances. Many of them are detained in detention until their claims are legally processed (Australian Catholic University, 2015, 4.1.2). This issue directly affects the child rights as well as the Common Good for children. Common good is the good and well-being of each individuals. Common good holds that as a social being, human truly flourish in the community. Common good means the fulfillment of the every aspects that helps to reach ultimate can good for every individuals....
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...Introduction Violence is the deliberate use of force or power as described by the World Health Organisation, whether is it real or threatened on a person, community or on oneself, which may result in the harm of the person, either physical or psychological and may also result in death or maldevelopment (Krug, Dahlberg, Mercy, Zwi & Lozano, 2002). Notably, from this, the type of violence can be determined based on the individuals committing the violence, and therefore community violence is defined as violence taking place outside the home and occurring between people who may or may not know each other, and who are unrelated (Krug, et al., 2002). Community violence has been a rising issue in Australia over the past few years as statistics have...
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...(state of being extremely poor) and mental health / illness with reference to primary health care principle and practices. The term mental illness is defined, as a health issues that considerably affects how people thinks, behaves and cooperate with other people (Government of Western Australia Mental Health Commission, 2010). The word poverty means not be able to have basic needs such as food, health care, clothing, and education. Aboriginal community is suffering from different types of issues such as lack of medical and disability services, litter education, high rate of unemployment, broken families and high crime rates due to all this issues the individual lead to mental illness. According to Scaraceno (1997), stated that poverty is one of the main risk factors of progressing mental health illness among Aboriginal community. In Aboriginal community, economic poverty is not the main issue that public are going through however, spiritual, emotional, behaves poverty pass through generation-to-generation, which affects whole community. The outcomes of spiritual, emotional, economic poverty plenty of people develops mental illness which lead them for suicide case (Bowers, 2013). Lack of education on social and health wellbeing cause depression and stress, which becomes worsen when time pass and lead to metal health issues. 2. Identifies and explains tools, techniques and skills used to promote mental health and wellbeing. There are few...
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...Drugs in Australia- Is it a problem? When it comes to drug use, Australians are the number one users in the world. More than 40% of people have used drugs. People use drugs to relax, to function, for enjoyment, to be part of a group, curiosity, or because of physical or psychological pain. Any substance that creates a psychological change is considered a drug. The three main categories are stimulants (speeds up the brain and nervous system), depressants (slows them down), and hallucinogens (interfere with the brain and nervous system altering perception of reality). The number one choice of drug in Australia is ice. Ice is a type of methamphetamine and also a stimulant. It speeds up messages to and from the brain and body. Because ice is a type of methamphetamine it has more harmful side effects, and is much stronger and addictive than other drugs. What Is Ice? Ice is a stimulant drug, which means it speeds up the messages travelling between the brain and the body. It is a type of methamphetamine, which is generally stronger, more addictive and has more harmful side effects than the powder form known as speed Ice comes as small chunky clear crystals, and as white or brownish crystal like powder with a strong smell and bitter taste. Other names for ice are crystal meth, shabu, crystal, glass, shard, p2. Ice is generally smoked or injected and the effects can be felt 3- seconds. It is also sometimes swallowed (15-30 minutes to feel effect) or snorted (3-5...
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...related with health care system and to have better understandings and abilities to effectively deal with the problems. Accordingly, there are also significant issues affecting mental health, which should be investigated. The major findings and recommendations of the Garling Report will be overviewed and also the nursing and workforce issues will be explored. Furthermore, drug and alcohol abuse and lack of resources will be explored and recommendation for a new Registered Nurse will be drawn. Garling Report (2008) indicates that New South Wales (NSW) public hospitals have one of the better health care systems in the developed world, because they have well-trained, skilled and dedicated doctors, nurses and clinical staffs. On the other hand, NSW health care systems are too often unable to cope with the increasing cost of treatment, sudden increase in patients, and the pressures on a skilled workforce (Garling Report, 2008). Notably, there is a serious shortage of workforce including medical, nursing, and allied health professionals (Garling Report, 2008). Furthermore, there are insufficient experienced clinical staffs who can supervise and guide inexperienced clinical staffs, and in this environment, it makes difficult to provide safety of the patient and the quality of patient care (Garling Report, 2008). Especially, a skilled workforce is significantly insufficient in rural/remote areas (Garling Report, 2008). Moreover, the culture endemic in NSW health is an unhealthy...
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