Importance+of+Social+Interaction+in+Mental+Health

Name: Jennifer Lake Student Number: n7470088 Tutor: Abbey Hamilton
 * Importance of Social Interaction in Mental Health **


 * Present Your Artefact **



This image is a painting of a man with mental illness dealing with the symptoms of psychosis. He is leaning away, holding his head, trying his hardest to withdraw from the faces that appear to be harassing and attacking him. This painting is one of many by Amber Christian Osterhout, up for sale on the Gaining Insight webpage (Osterhout, 2008). This collection of artwork and posters is designed to increase awareness of the reality and trials associated with mental illness.


 * Public Health Issue **

Mental Health is an area that is slowly starting to get more attention, yet those with mental illness are still viewed as one of the most excluded groups within society. This paper will look at the issue of mental illness in terms of the effects of social exclusion. It will focus on what exactly social exclusion is and the reasons why social exclusion is such an issue for those with mental illness. The positives of social inclusion and the improvements seen through the move from institutionalisation will also be considered.


 * Literature Review **

Mental Health, as defined by the World Health Organisation (2010) is “more than the absence of mental disorders or disabilities… it is a state of wellbeing in which an individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community”. Mental Illness is not all that rare with approximately 1 in five Australians experiencing some form of mental illness each year (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2009). Despite these high levels, stigma still occur with the idea that all people with mental illness crazy and violent. In 2007 Australian Bureau of Statistics found that of all people with a mental disorder only 21% had a severe disorder, 33% had a moderate disorder and nearly half, 46%, had a mild disorder (ABS, 2009).

As results have shown, a large percentage of those with mental illness will have relatively mild symptoms that can be dealt with through the use of medications. Those in the severe of moderate category of mental illness may require additional aid and will require the use of medical facilities such as counseling and medication alike. Despite the large percentage of people with a form of mental illness, this segment of society is still one of the most vulnerable due to the fact that they are generally neglected and misunderstood. The media depicts extreme cases of mental illness to the public, such as schizophrenia and split personalities, leading the public to see violence and confusion associated with mental illness (Queensland Ambulance Service, 2008). The fact that the public does not necessarily understand is one of the greatest factors towards continuing stigma.

The way mental health is treated has changed drastically over the past few decades, with the 1990’s especially important as the “decade of recovery” (Mental Health Coordinating Council, 2007). This decade led to the conceptualisation that recovery could be gained. Prior to this, mental health treatments where run with the idea that recovery could not occur, therefore those with mental illness tended to be institutionalised (MHCC, 2007). Now, with increasing evidence and knowledge, treatment of mental health patients is much more humane and controlled.

Although recovery can be obtained, it generally does not go past this to being cured. Recovery is not always necessarily a permanent state, but an ongoing process (QAS, 2008) generally requiring the use of medical facilities and medication. Despite this focus on medical interaction, one main process that can aid in the improvement of mental illness is simple; inclusion. Social inclusion has become a key factor in the recovery process (Eklund & Hansson, 2007). Studies have show that people with low social support are more prone to mental illness, depression and lower immunocompetence (Ybarra, 2008). Those that live alone are also more likely to experience mental health, behavioural problems and psychological stress (VicHealth, 2005). Having a smaller network of friends and family has been shown to be a result of hospitalisation, yet this could also be a predictor for hospitalisation rather than an effect of it (Eklund & Hansson, 2007). Improving social networks have been seen to benefit those with a mental illness with improving stress reactions, psychological wellbeing and symptoms of psychological stress such as depression and anxiety (VicHealth, 2005).

Social Interaction is a key aspect of social inclusion. It is generally a crucial factor in determining whether a person with mental illness will take part in society in terms of employment, studies, leisure activities and generally building a social life (Eklund & Hansson, 2007). Generally those with mental illness can do what the “average person” can do, yet the impact of stigma can socially exclude them from every day life. Social Exclusion “is the process of being shut out from the social, economical, political and cultural systems which contribute to the integration of a person into the community” (VicHealth, 2005). Those with a form of mental illness are more likely to feel poor social connectedness.

Understanding the needs of each individual person with mental illness is important to allow a program to be designed that is specific to each persons needs. One treatment that has been introduced and has been effective in improving social cohesion is talking therapies. This therapy is designed to allow clients to become self-dependent and develop strategies to cope with daily matters. There are different types of therapy dependent on the persons needs. For example, Dialectical behaviour focuses on learning how to react normally to emotional triggers, whereas cognitive therapy changes problematic patterns of thinking and behaviour. Not all therapies involve talking with creative therapies involving art and drama and allow clients to express and deal with their emotions through different channels (ReThink, 2011).

Despite organisations being able to set up these aids and involve social calls by professional workers, if a patient is withheld too much from the community then they can become overwhelmed by the system. This can reinforce social stigma, reduce access to normative feedback, encourage passive adjustment and solidify social withdrawal.

Encouraging social interaction for mental health patients can help to improve their condition. A study on mental exercises has found that social interaction can facilitate cognitive function, and aid long-term and short-term performance. The act of social interaction involves behaviours such as memory, attention and control, all of which can be generally lacking, or poor, in those with mental illness. Investigators found social interaction to be a reliable predictor for cognitive function. The more social interaction a person had with family and friends, the better their cognitive performance was. In the study those who interacted socially for 10 minutes showed better cognitive performance compared to control participants. This study did not include participants with mental conditions, yet the principle of improving cognitive function through social interaction can still apply.


 * Cultural and Social Analysis **

The way the health system deals with mental illness has changed drastically over the past few decades. It has steered away from insitutionalised care and the idea of keeping those that are different separate, to smaller more community based care. (Whitman, 1995). The rationale for deinstitutionlisation is that “It may both lead to increases in the relocated residents adaptive behaviours and possible decrease the likelihood of abuse and neglect” (Young, 1998) .Reviews of deinstitutionalisation projects has found trends in the improvement of those patients moved from institutions to community based centers. Improvements have been seen in the quality and standard of life of the patients through increased adaptive behaviour and independence in areas such as self care, domestic living, community, leisure skills and choice making (Young, 1998).

The isolation experienced by mentally ill patients at that time had a huge effect on their ability to progress developmentally, model normal behaviour and experience the satisfaction of learning new skills useful in the outer community. “People are circumscribed by their social opportunities”, so if a person is not exposed to certain situations then they will not have learnt how to deal sufficiently when the situation occurs (Whitman, 1995). A study performed during the move from institutional care looked at this ideal of needing to be exposed within society to learn. Thomas, a patient, moved from an institution to community care, developed mentally over a number of years and was able to partake in normal activities such as catching public transport, making appointments and shopping for food through experience and watching others. These activities he wasn’t able to do without aid when he was first moved. In 1971 Thomas was first assessed and was found to have an IQ of 13 and was described as being totally dependent on others for survival. In 1990 after many years of living with others with aid he was reassessed and found to have some degree of independence. Thomas had improved mentally and was now able to perform skills to live semi dependently. This study goes somewhat to prove that those with mental illnesses need to be exposed and included within society in order to progress and develop.

Now days those with mental health are given more opportunities and can participate within society a lot more. Despite this, mental illness is still seen with a great level of stigma and attracts less empathy and more mistrust than any other form of illness. Those with a history or current mental illness may find others are uncomfortable or wary around them (Commonwealth of Australia, 2009). This factor can make sustaining social circles hard for those with mental illness. In order to improve this we need to continue to improve the level of acceptance, remove the stigma of mental health from society and include those with mental illness within society.


 * Analysis of Artefact and Your Own Learning Reactions **

This artefact portrays the struggle that many with mental illness have to deal with throughout their life. The faces that are directed towards the man can represent many things in the eye of the viewer. The artist depicts these faces as the picture of psychosis, strange images and voices hassling the person. Although the faces can be seen outside the mind, the image depicts the pain within. The fact that the man is crouched down, leaning away, eyes clenched shut and holding his head shows the pressure he is going through to hold these psychotic episodes at bay. Another way in which we can depict this picture is that the faces are a part of society. People are constantly degrading those with mental illness, putting a label on them without much knowledge of their circumstances. The pressures of life can be hard to bear with the same stature also portraying his struggle to deal with life.

I found the topic of mental illness quite interesting. I didn’t realise quite how much we actually put a label on people or judge them because of their illness rather than their other qualities. I found the study regarding Thomas and his journey from institutionalisation very interesting. I thought it was remarkable that despite the hardship he must have gone through he could still go on, learn and improve himself to become almost self sufficient. It only goes to show that if we give people a chance they can often surprise us and we cannot always judge a person’s ability before they have a chance to prove themselves. I definitely think that I will be more accepting of people who have a mental illness or who have experienced mental illness because of the stories I have read and research that I have found.


 * Reference List **

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2009). //Australian Social Trends, 2009: Mental Health//. Retreived November 2, 2011 from http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4102.0Main+Features30March%202009

Commonwealth of Australia. (2009). //Stigma and Discrimination.// Retrieved November 3, 2011 from http://www.responseability.org/site/index.cfm?display=134896

Eklund, M. & Hansson, L. (2007). Social Network Among People with Persistant Mental Illness: Associations with Sociodemographic, Clinical and Health Related Factors. //International Journal of Social Psychiatry,// 53(4), 293-305. doi: 10.1177/0020764006074540

Mental Health Coordinating Council. (2007). Mental Health is About Social Inclusion. //View from the Peak//. Retrieved from http://www.mhcc.org.au/images/uploaded/Mental%20Health%20is%20About%20Social%20Inclusion.pdf

Osterhout, A. C. (2008). Psychosis [Image]. Retrieved November 2, 2011, from http://gaining-insight.com/paintings2.php

Queensland Ambulance Service. (2008). //Mental Health Intervention Project: Mental State Assessment//. Brisbane, Queensland: The State of Queensland

ReThink. (2011). //Living With Mental Illness//. Retrieved November 1, 2011 from http://rethink.org/living_with_mental_illness/index.html

VicHealth. (2005). Social Inclusion as a determinant of mental health and wellbeing. Retrieved November 2, 2011 from http://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/~/media/ProgramsandProjects/MentalHealthandWellBeing/Publications/Attachments/Social_Inclusion_Final_Fact_sheet.ashx

Whitman, C. (1995). Heading Toward Normal: Deinstitutionalization for the mentally retarded client. In D. Gutten & M. Sussman (Eds.), //Exemplary Social Intervention Programs for members & their Families// (pp. 51-64). Birmington, New York: The Hamworth Press Inc.

World Health Organisation. (2010). //Mental Health: Strengthening Our Responses//. Retrieved November 2, 2011 from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs220/en/

Ybarra, O., Burnstein, E., Winkielman, P., Keller, M., Manis, M., Chan, E. & Rodriguez, J. (2008). Mental Exercising Through Simple Socializing: Social Interaction Promotes General Cognitive Function. //Personality and Social Pyschology Bulletin,// 34(2), 248-259. doi: 10.1177/0146167207310454

Young, L., Sigofoos, J., Suttie, J, Ashman, A. & Grevell, P. (1998). Deinstitutionalisation of persons with intellectual disabilities: a review of Australian studies. //Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability,// 23(2), 155-170.

[|Jenlake] Yesterday 3:23 pm

Hi

Great Topic!

I thought it was very sad to learn that that guy dies at just 22. It really shows how careful people need to be when trying to make such drastic changes to their body. Like you said the media has a large amount of influence on Gen Y which doesn't necessarily get used for good. Stories such as Zyzz's should be made a lot more public, with the effects of steroids being pushed rather than the need for a 'perfect body'.

Thanks

n7470088   __[|Jenlake]__ Yesterday 3:54 pm Hey!

I think this is an issue that will be a constant battle for woman. I was surprised to find that the amount of women's sport being shown was only 9%! I realised it was low but that is such a dramatic difference.

I thought the point about women needing to be pretty and wearing little outfits was very true. This is especially seen now with Americans introducing lingerie football! It shows the great lengths women will go to get exposure as well as what is expected of them in order to do so. It will be interesting to see what this does to women's sport.

Thank you!

n7470088