First Aid

Mental Health First Aid Postnatal Depression. Postnatal depression affects certain mothers once they give birth to their baby.  Postnatal Depression can leave the mother feeling low for a lengthy period of time and the illness can be either mild of severe.

What the difference between the terms ‘baby blues’ and ‘post-natal depression’?

Baby blues is a temporary form of depression and soon disperse once the mother has adjusted to changes and demands of the baby. The time duration of baby blues usually only last three or four days.

Baby blues is very common with new mothers and affects around 80% of mothers and normally occurs two to four days after birth. Some common symptoms could include feeling emotional and crying for no apparent reason, the mothers may suffer a loss in appetite and experience difficulty in sleeping.

Postnatal is different as it can last for a lengthier period of time and can be severe and disabling for the mother.

Postnatal Depression can affect 1 in 10 new mothers and occurs when the baby is in-between four to six months old.  Post-natal can come on gradually or all of a sudden and the effects can be either mild or severe and common symptoms can be confusion, anxiety or depression.

What are the possible risk factors for developing postnatal depression?

As with most Risk factors associated with mental health, they can be categorised as the following:

• Physical
• Psychological
• Environmental

Certain risk factors for developing post-natal depression can vary as there are many possibilities, risk factors for developing post-natal depression could include:

• The mother experiencing a difficult of traumatic labour or birth
• An none wanted pregnancy where the mother did not want to give birth
• Fertility issues including difficulties in conceiving
• Relationship problems, including domestic violence
• Sexual or violent abuse as a child or adult
• Lack of support from the baby’s partner, family and social isolation

What are the main features of puerperal psychosis?

Puerperal psychosis is an extreme form of post-natal depression and can also be known as postpartum psychosis, some describe it as losing touch with reality and being over demanding.

Puerperal psychosis develops very suddenly and often occurs within the first few weeks of given birth. The features can include hallucinations, delusions, depression or even suicide attempts, sudden mood swings, thoughts of causing harm or rejection to the baby and anxiety.

Puerperal psychosis can cause irrational actions and behaviour, it is similar to the characteristics of bi-polar and schizophrenia. Characteristics vary depending on the individual and previous mental health.

What are the feelings an individual may have when experiencing post-natal depression?

Post-natal depression can affect women in various individual ways. It often starts within the first year after giving birth and can develop all of a sudden. Mental Health First Aid Postnatal Depression

An individual that suffers with postnatal depression may experience a wide range of feelings, these may include feeling despondent and constantly thinking of negative thoughts, they may also feel very tired and lethargic. A loss of appetite often may occur along with a disturbed sleeping pattern.

The individual may be hostile to their partner or the baby, have panic attacks and a feeling of anxiety.

Mental Health First Aid Postnatal Depression

 Postnatal Depression can affect people in different ways, for example;

The mother

The mother may have a lot of depression and negative thoughts with postnatal depression, but the effects may vary depending on the severity of the post-natal depression. Other factors that may affect the mother could be the lack of motivation which could result in the individual neglecting themselves or the baby.

They may feel isolated and have difficulty sleeping, this will mean they will be tired and affect how they do things. These can lead to anxiety and increase the risk of a panic attack.

Bonding with the baby

It’s vital for a mother to bond with her baby so she can offer the baby the security, emotional safety and well-being that is required.

Postnatal depression can affect bonding as it could cause the mother to feel unable to look after the baby, the mother may feel failure and being detached because of bonding problems. They may want no physical contact with the baby and in serious cases may have thoughts of harming the baby.

Others

It can make it sad and uncomfortable for friends and family to witness the mother unable to cope with having a baby and dealing with depression.

They may feel helpless if the mother refuses to be helped and she may seem unapproachable – this will cause uncertainly of how to react. Partners may suffer emotionally and financially as they may need to take time off work to support the mother.

Partners, friends and family may feel helpless and this could lead to friction and conflict. They may also feel partly to blame or even become depressed themselves.

Mental Health First Aid Postnatal Depression – What are the preparations for birth that may reduce the risk of postnatal depression?

The mother, family and friends can all help in a collective way to help reduce certain risks of post-natal depression – this can be done well in advance of the birth by clear planning and preparation

Some ways of reducing the chances of postnatal depression would be to have ideas in mind in the planning ahead. Good exercise and a healthy balanced diet during pregnancy can help the mother emotionally and also her unborn child. To have a birth plan of wishes and preferences may also reduce the risks.

The person should avoid stress where possible and have appropriate support thought the pregnancy and decide on a birthing partner. A good way to avoid the possible stress is to attend antenatal sessions with their partner and keep good communications with the local health nurse.

The knowledge and opinions of mother hood from other mothers to get and insight into their experiences or any changes and what may occur would also help.

What are self-help measures for post-natal depression?

By having self-help measures in place this can allow a mother to manage any possible risks of Post-natal depression

The following self-help measures for post-natal depression could be:

• Eat a health balanced diet and not go too long without food – this will keep sugar levels up and this can help stop any anxiety.
• Joining support groups and sharing experiences with other sufferers, this can gain new ways of coping and reduce the feeling of isolation
• Learning to nap when the baby does– this will keep the mother feeling less tired and feeling low
• Don’t drink alcohol or use any drugs or substance – not only could this affect the unborn baby but also could make the mother incapable of any other self-help measures
• Talk to a supportive person such as a friend or family member – by doing this, it can allow others to have an insight into ways they can support you. Also, it can give the sense of release to open up and talk about feelings.
• Set daily and weekly goals and targets – this can help with the mother’s routine with the baby
• Do regular steady exercise such as walking – this will help with recovery and keep a health mind set
• Relax as much as possible and don’t take on unnecessary tasks or challenges – this will keep the mother fresh and motivated and reduces the risk of anxiety

What are possible treatments for post-natal depression?

Possible treatments for postnatal depression could be:

Counselling or talking therapy

This can help the sufferer open up and talk about their feelings, then the counsellor can help the individual find ways to change things for a happier life. Mental Health First Aid Postnatal Depression

The two main types of therapy are cognitive therapy and interpersonal therapy

A type of psychotherapy which is about the way people (in this case mothers suffering post-natal depression) reflect on things that affects how they feel emotionally and in general.

It spotlights on the current way of thinking and behaviour instead of thinking about past experiences.

Hormone therapy can reduce the symptoms of post-natal depression, it is a replacement of oestrogen what the mother maybe short of after childbirth.

Anti-depressants

Can be effective treatment for post-natal depression but must be prescribed by a doctor, normally your local GP. The Anti-depressants can help the mother with her symptoms by allowing her to function better and engage better with her new born. The Anti-depressants may only be given on prescription if the mother is suffering with moderate to severe depression

What local resources are available to an individual experiencing Mental Health First Aid Postnatal Depression?

Resources

• local GP’s can prescribe medication or refer the person to an expert, counsellor or community mental health team. A the GP can refer the mother to a health visitor to arrange regular home visits to offer advice and support.
• A counsellor can be very helpful as they can offer an impartial and objective view on how the person is feeling. The community mental health team will be a constant network of support.

Treatments

Treatments available could be:

• Guided self-help is where the GP can provide information to help the individual self-help, these cover the issues the person is facing and provide practical advice on how to deal with them.
• Antidepressants can be prescribed by a GP to help an individual deal with this condition, this will usually be a last resort such as a severe form of PND and counselling has not been successful.
• Talking therapies encourage the person to talk through their problems, two common forms of talking therapies are cognitive behavioural therapy which aims to break negative thought patterns and find new ways of thinking. The other one is interpersonal therapy which aims to identify if relationships with others may be contributing towards feelings of depression.

Please click here to download the The Power of Positive Thinking videos and resources

What resources can a person with puerperal psychosis require?

Resources an individual with psychosis would require would be:

• Referral to a community mental health team would happen if the mother is suffering a severe condition or if the individual does not respond to current treatment. The community mental health are a specialist team of nurses, occupational therapist, psychologies and psychiatrists
• Mother and baby mental health clinic maybe recommended if no one can look after the baby and the CMHT feel it will impact on the baby’s development to separate if from its mother.
• Admission to hospital can be a resource if the condition is extremely severe and there is deemed to be a risk of self-harm or harm to the baby. If there is support from family then it may be recommended they care for the baby until the mother is well enough to return home.

What are the treatments a person with puerperal psychosis would require?

There are two main treatments, these are which would be a

Medication for puerperal psychosis can be made from a combination of; mood stabilising medication such as an anti-epileptic drug, an antipsychotic to help symptoms of psychosis or a tranquilliser to help the mother keep calm and relaxed.

Under no circumstances can the mother breastfeed their child id they are taking any types of these medication.

Electroconvulsive therapy may only be used under special circumstances and when other treatments have not been successful.

Electroconvulsive therapy is a process that requires to be taken out under a general anaesthesia.

The procedure sends electric currents to the brain, in turn to purposefully cause a brief seizure to the individual. The whole procedure is thought to make changes to the brain by decreasing the number of connections.

For further information on any mental health please contact us here or contact us if you would like to book an in-house mental health first aid course

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What do you do when assessing an incident?

When you arrive at an incident you need to conduct what called a scene survey. This is to make sure ensure that the safety of everyone around is paramount. The following steps will help you ensure that the scene is safe;

• Control the situation – take a rain check and control all the surrounding including any traffic or bystanders
• Look around to identify any dangers – identify anything that will or can cause harm to the casualty, anyone around you and most of all yourself.
• Assess the area and situation – Gain as much information as possible about what happened, ask bystanders and anyone around what they seen.
• Protect and prioritise – make sure barriers are on, IE gloves, and when dealing with multiple casualties prioritise treatment.

What is a Primary survey?

The primary survey is a systematic system of;

• approaching
• identifying
• dealing and coping with instantaneous and or existence-threatening conditions.

Having conducted a scene survey and established that the immediate area is safe from any dangers, you can now approach the casualty. When approaching the casualty an initial casualty assessment should be conducted; this initial assessment is called a primary survey

This systematic system can be remembered by an acronym DRABCD

What does DRABC stand for?

The systematic system acronym DRABCD stand for;

Danger

Response

Airway

Breathing

Cpr/Circulation

Defibrillation

Let’s look at each in turn

Danger – Before you approach the casualty, make sure the area around the casualty is safe in order for you to treat them, also to protect yourself any bystanders.

Response – This is to see if the casualty will respond to you if you tap them on the shoulder or call their name

Airway– Ensure the airway is open by tilting the head back and opening the airways, this is known as the head, chin, tilt approach

Breathing – Check the causalities breathing for 10 seconds – this is done by looking down the chest and looking for chest movement, listening for any noise and feeling if any breath is coming out the causalities mouth

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(note, if the causality is breathing there is no requirement to do circulation – you would put the casualty in the recovery position, we will look at this later)

Cpr/Circulation – This is only don’t when the casualty is not breathing. CPR is 30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths)

Defibrillation

What does CPR stand for?

CRP stands for cardio, pulmonary, resuscitation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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What is meant by the term ‘stress’?

Stress is the reaction an individual has to extreme mental or emotion demands or pressures given to them. Stress can also cause further and other mental health problems

What are the possible causes of stress?

Feelings of stress are typically triggered by matters happening inside the individual’s personal life which can contain:

• being under masses of pressure
• going through huge adjustments
• worried about something
• now not having much or any manipulate over the outcome of a state of affairs
• having duties which you’re finding overwhelming
• not having sufficient work or activities in your life
• Uncertainty of your future or family life

There might be one big component causing the person stress, but stress also can be due to a build- up of small demanding situations. This could make it tougher for the man or woman to discover what’s making them feel careworn, or to provide an explanation for it to different human beings.

Within a workplace can be a very stressful environment for certain individuals, things that can cause stress in the workplace would be a demanding job where the person feels overwhelmed with what is expected of them. Mental Health First Aid Stress

They may also feel they have inadequate training so are not fully in control of their new job. They may feel the support and guidance they receive from colleagues and managers is not there and they do not have any positive relationships at work. Also, we must consider the working hours, long working hours may result in added stress and worry for the person.

The health and safety executive lists six main areas that can lead to work-related stress if they are not managed properly.

These are: demands, control, support, relationships, role and change.

For example, employees may say that they:

• are not able to cope with the demands of their jobs
• are unable to control the way they do their work
• don’t receive enough information and support
• are having trouble with relationships at work, or are being bullied
• don’t fully understand their role and responsibilities
• are not engaged when a business is undergoing change

Health and safety executive. 2020. Causes of stress at work. [SOURCE] Available at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/causes.htm.

How can stress be both useful and harmful?

We think of stress as harmful to our mental health but depending on the type of stress it can also be useful in its own way.

Useful stress can make you more a tentative and aware of dangers, it can help boost memory and help you solve challenges and overcome certain situations. It may also boost your immune system such as improving how your heart works and protecting the body from infection.

Stress is also a crucial caution machine, generating the fight-or-flight reaction. (conflict management). While the brain perceives some kind of stress, it begins flooding the body with chemical compounds like epinephrine, norepinephrine and cortisol.

Stress can be harmful and certain symptoms can affect the mind, body, thoughts or general feelings. If stress occurs over a long period of time then it can also weaken the immune system.

Stress that’s left unchecked can contribute to many health issues, for example; high blood pressure, heart disorders and obesity which can lead to diabetes.

What are examples of the symptoms of stress?

Although the person may not be aware of all the symptoms of stress it could include the following:

• Butterflies in the stomach
• Feeling sick of dizzy
• Constipation or diarrhoea
• Sexual difficulties such as erectile dysfunction
• Aches, pains and headaches
• High blood pressure and increased heart rate
• Sleep depravation

Mental Health Awareness | Stress. How can stress affect an individual?

Stress can affect human beings in lots of unique ways and can cause health issues to an individual or even make contemporary fitness troubles get worse.

A few mental symptoms of stress consist of;

becoming tired, worrying, negative outlook, depression, anxiety, lack of appetite, lack of concentration and unable to sleep Some emotional signs include feeling tearful, irritable, mood swings, defensive, angry, frustrated, lack of self-esteem and sensitive.

What are the internal and external demands in life that may result in stress?

Internal demands are problems an individual may bring upon themselves by their own personal well-being and can be less obvious to identify.

Examples of these would be striving for perfection, lack of sleep, unhealthy diet, unnecessary worrying, putting others first and having low self-esteem.

External factors are situations an individual finds themselves in relating to their job, children, pregnancy, health issues with a loved one, bereavement, in ability to balance work and social life and if they are in bad debt.

What are healthy strategies that could be used to reduce or manage stress in life?

There are a number of different things a person with stress can do to reduce or manage with this condition better such as;

learning to relax by taking a bath, listening to some soothing music or reading a book. A individual could take regular breaks from work or any other activities they have so things don’t get on top of them.

They could look at their long-term goals instead of the short term, be better organised and look to change what they can control in their life. They should also focus on the positive aspects of their life, too often we look at the negatives. An individual should also confide in someone and not keep their emotions bottled up.

What is the purpose of keeping a stress diary and how they are used?

The aim of Stress diaries is to help an individual to record and file statistics about any stress issues they may have, this in turn will help them to analyse the stress in order to control them. They also help you to understand reasons of stress in extra elements. The levels of stress at which you operate maximum efficiently.

Mental Health First Aid | Stress

A stress diary can be useful for someone who is unable to pin point what the triggers of stress are. They can keep a diary for two to four weeks detailing down, the date, time and place the

stressful event occurred, what they were doing, who they were with, how it made them feel emotionally and physically and a rate from 0-10 on how stressful the event was.

The diary can then be reviewed after a certain period of time and it will be helpful in seeing what are the triggers and causes of stress.

For further information on any mental health please contact us here or if you would like to book an in-house Mental Health First Aid Stress course

 

What is meant by ‘Mental Health’?

There are no official terms in regards to the definition “what is mental health, however, mental health is different levels of psychological well-being within an individual. It reflects on different factors including how people think, feel, and behave in general and achieve their own individual targets and goals.

Examples of good mental health could be:

• Healthy thinking
• Cope with ordinary moments in life
• Healthy perception
• Ability to function everyday

What are the components of mental well-being?

 Components of mental well-being would mean you can with no problem: Think positive and have high self-esteem. Feel and discuss emotions and work productively.

With this in mind there here are 7 components of mental well-being

1 A good up bringing as a child

2 Employment has many positive benefits

3 Financially stable

4 Genetic inheritance

5 Individual ability to cope with pressure

6 Social support

7 Access to healthcare upon request

What are the risk factors associated with developing mental health problems

Risk factors within mental health may have certain factors that can increase the risk of developing a mental illness, or anything that could increase the development of mental health problems

Not been able to deal with everyday life, being isolated, a family or relationship breakdown or losing a loved one. unemployment or general poor quality of life can all be risk factors.

Mental health problems could stem from many different ways, such as individual’s vulnerability, lack of self-esteem, family, social factors, financial problems, prejudice and community factors. They come in the form of serious mental health and mid mental health

Examples of mental health problems

Here is some examples of common mental health illness and the severity

Mild

• A history of mental illness in the family – this is hereditary, either from parents or siblings
• Stressful life situations, such as death to a family member, financial issues, death or divorce.
• Medical condition, such as diabetes maybe caused by obesity or the opposite could be having an eating disorder

Anxiety or Depression.

Anxiety is a feeling of discomfort and sadness. People can worry about many different situations whether in personal life or work. An example could be one individual may feel anxious about sitting an exam, another individual could be feeling anxious about a medical condition.

Serious

Bipolar Disorder

This is a case where an individual will have different mood swings, such as high self-esteem one day and low self-esteem the next. This could also lead into depression or personality disorder.

Schizophrenia.

This could be a relapsing episode of psychosis. Symptoms include often hearing voices, delusions or disorganised thinking and confusion. Other symptoms could include war PTDS or witnessing serious accident or incidences

How mental health care has changed.

Mental health has significantly changed over the last seventy years. Since the closure of the old asylums allowing care into the community and not having to go to hospital, and the increase to use of talk therapies to reduce entrenchment of psychological problems

During the early 20th century, asylums were isolated particularly in rural areas and treatment was drugs and baths as a method calming mental illness.

The use of community care in mental health was introduced in the 1950’s / 60”s and the mental health act 1959 abolished the distinction between psychiatric hospitals and other types of hospitals in order to develop community based care.

During the 1970’s psychiatric hospitals was slowly discredited and by the 1980’s saw the mental health act 1983 set out new legislations to allow people to appeal against committal.

In the 1990’s till present, the national health service and community care act 1990 states it’s the legal duty for local authorities to assess individuals for social care and offer the appropriate support.

Since this time society has become more accepting of mental health and more supportive of people with any mental health issues.

What are the impact of the changes in mental health care?

As previously mentioned, the biggest and most successful change is that people are more and more accepting mental health problems and becoming more supportive of individuals that have mental health issues. People are also more aware of common mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression and are more forward in talking to health professionals to help seek treatment.

examples of professional health care roles that have an impact on the delivery of mental health care in the community include but not subject to;

Your community / local GP

In the first instance contact your GP immediately if you’re concerned about any mental health problems you may be accruing.

Community mental health nurses and psychiatric nurses

A team of full y trained nurses working in the community. The main objective is to help people with mental health and offer the appropriate medication support. This could be on a day-to-day or weekly basis

Social workers

Social workers are key for vital information in regards to information advice and guidance – this could be, what support there is in the local community, day centres, homing issues or welfare help.

Psychiatric social workers

Will offer a further level of support to people and families who are in long term crises

Health visitors

Health visitors are fully training and qualified nurses that work in the community. They help people with a mental illness to continue to live in their home or supported accommodation.

 Occupational therapists

Occupational therapists work in specialist mental health units or day hospitals / community centres and offer support through the therapeutic use of day activities. This can help individuals to either develop, recover or improve mental health issues.

What are difficulties individuals with mental health problems may face in day to day living?

Individuals suffering with more severe forms of mental illness generally have smaller social involvement than others and have larger social involvement such as family members, friends

Individuals suffering with mental health problems often anticipate rejection from other people because of the stigma associated with mental health.

Certain individuals will face more difficulties than others with mental health problems and may face some of the following on a day to day basis, and individual may also isolate themselves to avoid socialising.

Self-harm

A person deliberately physically harms themselves. This might include this such as head banging on floors, walls or other surfaces, hand or arm biting, hair pulling, eye gouging, face or head slapping, skin picking, scratching or pinching, forceful head shaking or cutting.

People feel suicidal for a variety of reasons and people who suffer with schizophrenia or bipolar are more common to attempt suicide that others with mental health problems.

Financial problems

People who suffer from things such as depression or anxiety may not be able to work and not generate an income and then it becomes harder to find employment and employers seem to be less reluctant to consider anyone with mental health problems for employment. This them becomes a stigma and mental health suffers more

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

PTSD is a diagnosis given to people who develop a certain set of symptoms following a traumatic event, such as a war veteran or witness a serious accident.

Suicide

With suicide evidence has shown that people who suffer with Schizophrenia or Bipolar disorder illness are more likely to try and commit suicide when they are feeling at a low point of depression. More evidence is showing that suicide is on the rise with ex armed forces personal who are suffering from PTSD.

Food and obesity

People who suffer from overweight tend to have increase of blood pressure and possible diabetes and can lead to depression. On the flip side, Anorexia is an eating disorder where you feel you need to keep your weight down, generally in young females who follow celebrities and they could be in danger of becoming Schizophrenia.

Personality disorder

Different individuals suffer from different types of personality disorder. Some people with a personality disorder may appear remote and some will be emotional, and some odd or unusual. The one thing they have in common is that their symptoms are severe enough to affect many different areas of life and without community treatment can lead to further mental health problems such as depression or anxiety.

Drug and alcohol

Drugs abuse can affect the lives of those caught up in it and also loved ones. It will affect health, relationships, and employment. Recognising there is a problem with drugs is an important first step in seeking help and treatment. Regular use of drugs can lead to a drug addiction and give further mental health problems and even homeless.

Alcohol

Alcohol consumption on a regular basis will affect the brain which is vital for good mental health. in the long run alcohol has an impact on mental health and can contribute to feelings of depression and anxiety, and make stress harder to deal with.

What are the social and cultural attitudes to mental illness regrading discrimination and stereotyping?

The social stigma attached to mental health and the discrimination some people receive can make their mental health worse or make it harder to recover. People suffering with mental health often come from deprived backgrounds or disadvantage areas and are often judged with discrimination and stereotyping.

Many people still have prejudice to people suffering mental health illnesses such as bipolar, schizophrenia and drug and alcohol users. Society feels people who suffer with depression and anxiety are difficult to communicate with, and this just shows that society still make judgement where mental health is concerned.

With this said, with the move to community-based care and the social understanding in today’s world of mental health is leading to a more positive attitude and many people within society know someone with a mental health problem.

The Equality Act 2010 explains what discrimination is and if someone has been treated unfairly because of a mental illness that could be discrimination. Anyone suffering with any mental health problems may have more harmful effects of mental health if been discriminated. Many people with the illness may also isolated and even a victim of bullying.

Research from “mind for better mental health” shows from their recent survey done in UK to measure the number of people who have different types of mental health problems reported these figures:

• Generalised anxiety disorder5.9 in 100 people
• Depression 3.3 in 100 people
• Phobias 2.4 in 100 people
• OCD 1.3 in 100 people
• Panic disorder 0.6in 100 people
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 4.4 in 100 people

Many people suffering from mental health may also suffer from been stereotype. Stereotype is a mistaken concept by many people about someone or something or based on how they look on the outside. “never judge a book by its cover” to Stereotype someone with mental health is a type of prejudice.

How is mental illness portrayed by the media?

Many of the public actually rely on the media for their own perceptions of those who suffer with mental health problems.

Mental health is most often wrongly portrayed by the media this includes films, magazines, and news programs. So often they stereotype people with mental health mentally as being violent or unpredictable or even suicidal. In particular films such as;

• Bipolarized
• One that few of the cockoo nest
• Mad to be normal
• Thin
• Split
• And many more

Mental Health Awareness | First Aid

Sadly, at many times the media portrays people suffering with mental health as they only have themselves to blame for their condition, which is misrepresentations of reality and completely not true. Theses give the image of mental health and decides the public’s perception that all people with mental health are stereotype.

Studies consistently show that the news and media provide distorted images of mental health that emphasise people as either dangerousness, criminals or instability.

This has had a huge roll on effect in the belief in the general public that people suffering with mental health problems are out of control and should be feared and avoided.

Research has shown that negative views of individuals with mental illness are directly proportional to the time spent in watching television. Regular viewers hold more negative views compared to those who watch television for very short period.

Within the general public this can encourage discrimination, stereotyping, and cause people to be scared and cause prejudice. Many soap operas are now raising awareness in a supportive way based on real life scenarios and give advice at the end of the program on how to contact support and help. Also, local media uses posters on buses, taxi etc, television and the radio raise awareness.

What is the impact that social and cultural attitudes to mental illness can have on individuals?

Regardless of gender, age or ethnicity, our culture influences our own beliefs about mental health and our attitudes towards people who suffer with mental health. Much negatively in the public’s eyes can cause either physical or psychological effects to those suffering with mental health.

For example, if you live in a community area that disapproves certain aspects of your culture like identity or sexual orientation this will have a negative impact on a person’s mental health.

People with mental health conditions may feel they will be stigmatised, excluded or discriminated against, because of this they may not wish to reach out to anyone in order to seek help. This would then make the situation worse as their maybe no support network, and the problem cannot be lessened. It could also lead to social services or care providers reducing the care required which would in turn cause further issues.

As previously mentioned in an earlier unit, many people suffering with mental health illness come from deprived backgrounds therefore stigma and discrimination can also worsen someone’s mental health problems, the impact of social isolation, poor housing hygiene and unemployment are all linked to mental health problems. So, stigma and discrimination can trap people in a cycle of illness.

What are the legislation in relation to mental health illness?

The Mental Health Act 1983:

At the time of this unit the government is making changes to the law to manage Covid-19 and its been reported to be up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 29 May 2020.

This act dealt with the assessment, treatment and rights of people with a mental health condition and their compulsory admission to hospital.

The Data Protection Act 1998:
This act is in place to provide safeguarding and confidential information about individuals either stored as hard copies or electronic.

The Human Rights Act 1998:
This act protects a range of human rights and ensures people are treated equal under the European Convention on human rights

The Equality Act 2010:
This act consolidated all previous anti-discrimination laws under one act, making it easier for people comply with the law. This includes age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

Care Act 2014:
This act introduced new responsibilities and duties for local authorities, the impacted-on service users, care providers, carers and employees within the care sector.

The Mental Capacity Act 2005:
It protects people who don’t have the capacity to make decisions for themselves due to mental health illnesses.

What legal provisions are in place for individuals who are unable to make decisions for themselves due to mental health problems?

The introduction of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 give protection to people who lost their capacity in making their own decisions.

The Act produced five principles which are:

1. Assume Capacity
2. Support with Decision Making
3. Unwise Decisions
4. Best Interests
5. Limit Restrictions

The Act also allows people to plan ahead for the future if they lack the capacity to make their own decisions they can choose someone to do this for them such as a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)

In relation to individuals with mental health problems, what are the legal issues?

The NHS has guidelines and policies relating to confidentiality of health information, this will be included in the NHS code of practice.

This will be based on legal requirements and best practice set out by the required standards of practice concerning confidentiality in relation to patients consenting to use their mental health records.

The Caldicott Report 1997 was carried out as an investigation into the handling of patient information with the health service. This was commissioned following concerns about patient confidentiality, six principles were identified:

1. Workers must be able to justify the purpose of shading patient information
2. Patient information should only be used if there is no alternative
3. Workers should only record the minimum patient information
4. Access to patient information should be restricted to a need to know basis
5. Everyone who has access to patient information must be aware of their responsibilities relating to confidentiality
6. Everyone who has access to patient information must understand and comply with the law

The Data Protection Act controls how your personal information is used by organisations, businesses or the government.
Everyone responsible for using data has to follow strict rules called ‘data protection principles’. They must make sure the information is:

• used fairly and lawfully
• used for limited, specifically stated purposes
• used in a way that is adequate, relevant and not excessive accurate
• kept for no longer than is absolutely necessary
• handled according to people’s data protection rights
• kept safe and secure
• not transferred outside the European Economic Area without adequate protection

This also applies to anyone who has a mental health condition, it safeguards the individual and gives them the right to know what information is held on them.

For any further questions on mental health or you like to book a mental health first aid course please contact us here and see our free risk assessments for mental health here