Depression and the Polish community VTPU Conference, August 2005 Presenter: Elizabeth Drozd CEO, APCS

Research background of publisher Unique characterics of the Polish community Unique characterics of the Polish community Summary of the Australian-Polish Community Services Summary of the Australian-Polish Community Services About the research authors About the research authors

Project Background Almost no research data available about depression within the Polish community Almost no research data available about depression within the Polish community Second biggest health issue in the next 20 years and currently an important public health concern Second biggest health issue in the next 20 years and currently an important public health concern Study conducted with almost no funding Study conducted with almost no funding

Project Aims To investigate the understanding and prevalence of depression within the Polish community To investigate the understanding and prevalence of depression within the Polish community To contribute to the knowledge of depression experienced by CALD communities To contribute to the knowledge of depression experienced by CALD communities On the basis of primary data and analysis, develop recommendations for better service responses and appropriate interventions On the basis of primary data and analysis, develop recommendations for better service responses and appropriate interventions

Method Four-page survey in Polish Four-page survey in Polish Varied sources of survey participants Varied sources of survey participants Various age groups, place of residence Various age groups, place of residence 36% lived in lone households 36% lived in lone households 21% worked F/T or P/T, 58% pensioners 21% worked F/T or P/T, 58% pensioners 174 surveys were collected (70% women) 174 surveys were collected (70% women) A.T. Beck Depression Inventory Test A.T. Beck Depression Inventory Test

Research Results 32% self-identified as having depression 32% self-identified as having depression Another 9% were not sure Another 9% were not sure 11% confessed to suicidal thoughts 11% confessed to suicidal thoughts 35% showed strong symptoms of tiredness 35% showed strong symptoms of tiredness 25% strong symptoms of sleeplessness 25% strong symptoms of sleeplessness 22% symptoms of sadness, 22% symptoms of sadness,

Understanding of depression 21% stated that it is an illness 21% stated that it is an illnessQUOTES 78% described it as a ‘bad state of mind’ 78% described it as a ‘bad state of mind’QUOTES

Cont… Understanding of depression 1. Correct understanding 1. Correct understanding 2. Seeing depression as one of the stages in our mental health i.e. transitory feeling 2. Seeing depression as one of the stages in our mental health i.e. transitory feeling 3. Playing down depression as an illness or lack of total understanding 3. Playing down depression as an illness or lack of total understanding

Awareness of services 30% saw their GP as the first point of contact 30% saw their GP as the first point of contact 12% community services 12% community services 60% stated awareness of services but could not identify them 60% stated awareness of services but could not identify them Media (newspaper, radio) most common source of information Media (newspaper, radio) most common source of information

Adequacy of existing services 66% stated inadequacy of services but couldn’t validate their professional capacity 66% stated inadequacy of services but couldn’t validate their professional capacity Aware of effort to improve understanding of depression and service accessibility Aware of effort to improve understanding of depression and service accessibility Quotes Quotes

Recommendations: 1. Public education campaign for CALD communities incl. Polish 1. Public education campaign for CALD communities incl. Polish 2. Development of a comprehensive strategy to address the issue of depression in CALD communities 2. Development of a comprehensive strategy to address the issue of depression in CALD communities 3. DHS Mental Health Branch reports annually on strategies undertaken to address needs of CALD Victorians who suffer from mental illnesses 3. DHS Mental Health Branch reports annually on strategies undertaken to address needs of CALD Victorians who suffer from mental illnesses

Cont…Recommendations 4. Organisations funded to provide mental health services report annually on initiatives undertaken to respond appropriately to the needs of CALD communities in Victoria 4. Organisations funded to provide mental health services report annually on initiatives undertaken to respond appropriately to the needs of CALD communities in Victoria