SCWK 1710 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Interpersonal Relationship, Substance Abuse, Heredity
11 Jun 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
Chapter 7 meatal health and social work practice.
Mental health, at one end if the continuum is “mental wellness”, mental wellness exists where
there is a reasonable balance in all aspects of life, physical, intellectual, social emotional and
spiritual
Mental illness: a term referring to a range of emotional and mental health problems that may be
long lasting and that may interfere with normal family, school, social or work related activities
and relationship
Safeguarding mental wellness: Risk factor and protective factors
- Various factors influence an individual’s emotional and state of mind.
- Risk factors: physical illness, family problems, physical or sexual abuse, childhood
trauma, difficult relationships and heredity. These factors can predispose a person to
greater levels of stress and more complex unsettling emotions
- Protective factors: that work in the opposite way, to stabilize our emotional well-
being.ex. Strong family ties, close interpersonal relationship.
Risk factors and protective factors associated with mental wellness
Risk factors includes physical illness, family problems, physical or sexual abuse, childhood
trauma, difficult relationships and heredity. When present, these factors can predispose a person
to greater levels of stress and more complex unsettling emotions
Protective factors; that work in the opposite way as risk, to stabilize our emotions well-being. Ex.
Strong family ties and close interpersonal relationships.
Risk and protective factors associated with mental wellness
At an individual level,
Risk factors (Genetic influence, Long term physical illness, experiencing discrimination based
on race, Sexuality, gender, or religion. Being easily angered, Communication difficulties, low
self-esteem, childhood abuse/neglect/trauma
Protective factors, sense of humor, spiritual faith, good social skills, a positive attitude about life,
respect for authority, personal goals, high self-esteem, good problem solving skills.
At the relationship level
Risk factors: family problems, having been severely bullied or physically or sexually abused,
acting as a caregiver, talking on adult responsibilities, living in poverty or being homeless,
associating with friends who engage in high-risk behaviours such as experimenting with drugs,
witnessing family conflict and violence
Protective factors: at least one close relationship, a stable family environment, involvement with
extended family, parents who spend quality time with their children, parental warmth, support
and clear expectations, parental support for education
At the school or community level
Risk factor: having a learning disability or long standing school difficulties, having few
recreational activities for children and youth, lack of basic services (housing, water), easy access
to alcohol and other substances, few economic opportunities, being a refugee or asylum seeker,
violence or war in community
Protective factors: feeling connected to school, strong relationship with teachers, teacher who
express high expectations, participation in range of sports, involvement in community activities,
peers who have conventional values, having a positive role model, stable housing
understanding these risk factors and protective factors help social workers to assets and mitigate
stress and assess resources important to their clients wellbeing
Characteristics of mental illness
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
-mental illness is a condition that involves disturbance in a person’s thoughts, emotions, moods
and behaviours which decreases their capacity to cope with challenging everyday tasks
- we are all vulnerable to mental health problems and no one knows what exactly causes them
but we believe it’s a combination of factors
genetic factor: mental health problems occur more often in families in which there is a history, so
hereditary. (mom has depression; chance kids get it)
biological factors: age and gender especially when combined with other factors
environmental factors: stresses due to finances, relationships, family backgrounds and lack of
access to health care and social supports are believed to be factors.
physical factors: symptoms of mental illness can occur in people with a physical illness for
example people who experience a physical illness may experience depression
Mental health commissions of Canada: The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC)
leads the development and dissemination of innovative programs and tools to support the mental
health and wellness of Canadians.
-formed in 2007 grew out of a recommendation in the first comprehensive report on
mental health, substance use, and the state of mental health care in Canada
-non-profit organization that operates at arm’s length from governments, it’s been
endorsed by all provinces and territories governments expect Quebec.
-MHCC- was tasked originally for three major objectives
1) to develop a national mental health strategy
2) to oversee the development and implementation of anti-stigma and anti-discrimination
campaign
3) to create a knowledge exchange center with the aim of mobilizing evidence-based knowledge
to improve best practices and increase dialogue about mental health issues across Canada
- On may 8th 2012, Canada became the last G8 nations to create a national mental health
strategy. A document entitled the changing directions, changing lives; the mental health
strategy for Canada, set out 6 strategic aims to related to the implementation, presentation,
diversity, access and delivery of services
- the commission “at home” research project looked to address homelessness for people with
mental illness by combining treatment with places to live, and is the largest experiment of its
kind in the world. Operating in Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montréal and Moncton
- “open minds” launched in 2009, to combat the stigma against mental illness the project
focuses on youth aged 12-18, the media and the workplace,
- mental health first aid, was found effective in improving participant’s knowledge of mental
disorders and increasing the amount of help provided to others
Stigmatization is the expression of negative attitudes and behaviours towards individuals who
share a certain characteristic. In the wider community, persons with a mental illness are often
stigmatized and outcast, even though they need to same understanding and support as someone
with physical illness
a stigma is the number reason is why two thirds of those living with mental illness do not seek
help.
The importance of DE-stigmatization in mental health
- Presuming that people with mental illness can’t hold jobs or the problems are in their
head are forms of stigmas
- Attitudes based on misconceptions that all people who have a mental illness are a danger
to society
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Chapter 7 meatal health and social work practice. Mental health, at one end if the continuum is mental wellness , mental wellness exists where there is a reasonable balance in all aspects of life, physical, intellectual, social emotional and spiritual. Mental illness: a term referring to a range of emotional and mental health problems that may be long lasting and that may interfere with normal family, school, social or work related activities and relationship. Safeguarding mental wellness: risk factor and protective factors. Various factors influence an individual"s emotional and state of mind. Risk factors: physical illness, family problems, physical or sexual abuse, childhood trauma, difficult relationships and heredity. These factors can predispose a person to greater levels of stress and more complex unsettling emotions. Protective factors: that work in the opposite way, to stabilize our emotional well- being. ex. Risk factors and protective factors associated with mental wellness.
