Mental health a presentation by Paidamoyo chimhini deaf Zimbabwe trust

What is mental health? A state of emotional, psychological and social wellbeing The psychological state of someone functioning at a satisfactory level of emotional and behavioural adjustment. Affects how we think, feel and act. Relates to how we cope with daily life and respond to the environment as well as situations around us. Encompassed in the realisation of one’s abilities, coping with normal stresses of life, productive work and contribution to their community. Absence of mental disorder. Interpretation of the concept varies across cultures. What is considered healthy in one social context may be thought to be unhealthy in another.

Signs of good mental health The ability to enjoy life. Resilience – ability to bounce back after a difficult situation. Balance – being a well rounded person who can behave in a manner appropriate to the situation. Flexibility Self actualization – fulfilling one’s potential. Ability to create and sustain healthy relationships with others. Self esteem – overall sense of worth. Ability to feel and manage a wide range of emotions appropriate to situations encountered.

Why is mental health important? It affects all aspects of life. Has an impact on physical health. Poor mental health can lead to anti/bad social problems such as drug and alcohol abuse, unhealthy sexual behaviours, violence. Good mental health promotes healthy social behaviour such as stress management. It determines one’s ability to function well and coexist with other members of society. Ensures one’s ability to participate actively in society.

Mental health problems These are complications in the way someone thinks that can affect their ability to function productively. Refer to the way someone thinks and behaves that can cause problems for the individual and the community in which they live. include worry or stress about daily life experiences and serious long term conditions. Also known as mental illness or mental disorder. Mental health problems can affect anyone regardless of physical ability, gender, age or social standing. A mental health problem is like any other illness but maybe more dangerous because it is more difficult to diagnose/see.

Mental health problems cont. Mental health problems may run in families and they may result from birth defects. Can be a result of one’s failure to deal with normal stresses of daily life. They may also be a result of social problems like drug and alcohol abuse. Victims of abuse are at risk of developing mental health problems because of the trauma that is associated with abuse. Social separation/loneliness can also cause mental health problems.

Mental health issues for the Deaf. Being Deaf is accompanied by social problems that can increase the risk of developing a mental health problem. Deaf people are prone to frustration, anxiety, low self esteem and challenging behaviour because of the stigma and societal exclusion they face almost on a daily basis. Being Deaf can be associated learning disabilities which have unpleasant psychological effects on mental state and behaviour. Inability to fully participate in society can lead to a reduced self esteem. Low self esteem means that someone looks down upon themselves and this can negatively affect their ability to fully utilise their potential. For a Deaf person communication problems pose a great risk to one’s mental heath. Inability to communicate results in isolation which in turn promotes the development of mental health problems.

Mental health problems for the Deaf cont. Language allows us to communicate and express our emotions. It provides an outlet for our thoughts and allows us to share our concerns, fears and problems. It also allows us to express our unhappiness. Failure to communicate and share problems leads to depression/sadness and when it is left untreated for a long time, it could lead to violent behaviour, suicidal thoughts and alcohol or drug abuse. It is important for the Deaf to be able to communicate through sign language and it is equally important for people living with the Deaf to understand the language. There has to be a sense of trust for one to be able to open up about their problems and trust begins when people are able to communicate and understand each other.

Mental health issues for the Deaf cont. The environment has a big role in the development of mental health problems. It is important for someone who is Deaf to live in a healthy environment that promotes growth and allows them to express themselves without fear of angering others. Deprivation experienced by a Deaf person can reduce experiences, limit the individual’s ability to express themselves and can restrict integration. This limits the development of the mind. Some deaf people have limited understanding of social aspects of life and develop poor coping strategies to manage their emotional states and their behaviour because they miss environmental feedback about socially appropriate behaviour. It is important to include the Deaf in activities as well as allow them to explore and discover their talents so as to build up their confidence.

Mental health issues for the deaf cont. For Deaf children the home should be a safe haven/place that allows them to express themselves freely. Parents cannot always control the environment to make sure that it is accommodating to the needs of their Deaf child but when the home is safe and supportive, the child is capable of rising above the limitations of their disability. A nurturing environment also allows parents to identify the problems that their child may have. These may include attention deficit, learning disabilities and violent behaviour. It is important for parents to pay attention to their children’s behaviour so that they can quickly identify signs of anxiety and depression.

Stress. A stress is anything that challenges or threatens our physical or mental wellbeing. Stress is the feeling we get when we are overwhelmed or under pressure. It is caused by stressors i.e. things we respond to in the environment for example unpleasant people, work demands or family demands. Stress can be good if it promotes creative thinking to provide solutions to problems. Stress is a normal aspect of every day life as you interact/relate with other people as well as the environment. When stress begins to affect physical health and social interaction, it becomes a cause for concern.

Stress cont. A situation becomes stressful when available resources and skills are not able to deal with the problem at hand. Stress can present itself through a physical illness for example a constant headache. How we deal with stress has a significant impact on our mental health. Failure to deal with stress effectively will affect the normal functioning of the mind and the body.

Signs and symptoms of stress Signs and symptoms of stress can be physical, cognitive (mental), behavioural and emotional. Physical symptoms include: - constant headache - diarrhoea and constipation - dizziness and nausea - loss of appetite - chest pain - general body pain

Signs and symptoms of stress cont. Emotional symptoms: - moodiness - irritability, short temper - general unhappiness - agitation, inability to relax - loneliness and isolation

Signs and symptoms of stress cont. Cognitive (mental) symptoms: - memory problems - reduced concentration - poor judgement - anxiety - constant worry - negative mind-set

Signs and symptoms of stress cont. Behavioural Symptoms - eating too much or too little - nervous habits e.g. nail biting - alcohol and drug abuse - restlessness - neglecting responsibilities These behavioural symptoms only signify stress if they are a deviation/ change from one’s normal behaviour.

Stress management Managing stress begins by identifying things that bring about stress. Being aware of these triggers will allow you to either avoid stressful situations or acquire adequate skills to face them head on. Managing stress is about taking control of thoughts, emotions, your life and how you deal with problems.

1. Avoid unnecessary stress Many times, little things may stress us out. It is important for us to know our limits and work within our boundaries to avoid stress. Give yourself realistic deadlines. Learn to say no to avoid disappointing yourself and others Avoid people that stress you out. Avoid topics of discussion that upset you especially those relating to politics and religion.

2. ALTER/ Change the situation. When you cannot avoid a stressful situation, try to change it. Be willing to compromise. Express your feelings to others, do not hold them in. When faced with a an overwhelming task, manage your time well. Be more assertive.

3. Adapt to the stressor Focus on the positive Look at the bigger picture Adjust you standards Reframe the problem – find other ways of looking at the problem

4. Accept the things you cannot change. Accept the things you cannot control e.g. being Deaf or having a Deaf child. Share your feelings especially with people that have the same problem. Learn to forgive and to let go. Look for the upside.

5. Adopt a healthy lifestyle Exercise regularly Eat healthy Get enough sleep Take a break from your busy schedule and allow yourself to rest. Connect with other people. Spend time with people who are positive. A good circle of friends will distract you from stressful situations. Do something you enjoy everyday. Keep your sense of humour. You should be able to laugh at yourself as well as with others.

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