Section Title

Introduction to Mental
Health Awareness

Presented by:

Dr. Joel John A. Dela Merced,

PhdEd, DrHum, MSN, RN, CRN, DCE, CDCP, CIN, SHC1, LPT, LMT,
DipHM, CHA, DPCHA, FPCHA, FPSQua, FRIN, FRIEdr, FRIRes, OPA
 As a group we will

• Listen to those around us

• Be non-judgmental
• Share if we feel comfortable to do so
• Be aware of your own mental health throughout
• Take a break if you need to do so
• Make a safe learning environment to make
people feel able to be as honest as they would
like to be.
 Definitions of mental health

“Good mental health means being generally able to

think, feel and react in the ways that you need and
want to live your life

Mental health is a state of wellbeing in which an

individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope
with the normal stresses of life, can work
productively and is able to make a contribution to his
or her community (World Health Organisation).
 Definitions of mental health

Mental wellbeing describes your mental

state - how you are feeling and how well
you can cope with day-to-day life.

Our mental wellbeing is dynamic.

What does good mental health look like?

If you have good mental wellbeing, you

are able to:

• Recognise the good in yourself

• Feel and express a range of emotions.
• Feel engaged with the world around
you.
• Live and work productively.
• Cope with the stresses of daily life
Mental health Continuum
 Types of mental health problems

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Eating problems
• Schizophrenia
• Phobias
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Personality disorders
• PTSD
 Suicidal feelings

• Suicidal feelings can range from being

preoccupied by abstract thoughts about
ending your life, or feeling that people
would be better off without you.

• If you are feeling suicidal, you might be

scared or confused by these feelings.
 How can I help someone experiencing suicidal
feelings?

• Try not to judge

• Talk to the person about how they feel
• Encourage them to get help
• Ask them how you can help
• Help them stay safe
• Look out for warning signs
 What is Stress ?

“Stress is the adverse reaction people

have to excessive pressure or other
types of demand placed on them”
Health and Safety Executive
Stress versus good pressure
What are mental health problems?

• Mental health problems can affect any of us

irrespective of age, personality or
background.
• They include a wide range of experiences
and can affect the way people think, feel or
behave.
• Some problems may be mild or moderate
while others may take on a more severe
form, affecting a person’s ability to cope with
day-to-day living.
 Types of mental health problems

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Eating problems
• Schizophrenia
• Phobias
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Personality disorders
• PTSD
 Psychosis

Psychosis is when you perceive or interpret reality in

a very different way from people around you.

Can take the form of:

• Hallucinations
• Delusions
• Disorganised thinking and speech
How can I help myself or someone else?

• Self-care
• Treatment options
• Recovery
• Peer support
Managing conversations
How might you start the conversation?

• Show your support

• Ask how you can help
• Be open-minded
• Don’t just talk about mental health
• Show trust and respect
• Look after yourself
• Be patient
Mental wellbeing is just as
important as physical wellbeing,
and you need to maintain both in
order to stay fit and healthy
How you can look after your wellbeing

https://www.flickr.com/photos/sachac/
How you can look after your wellbeing

• Talk about the way you feel

• Identify your triggers
• Do something you enjoy
• Take time to relax
• Make a plan to stay well – Wellness
Action Plan
• Think about what helps you if you start
feeling overwhelmed
• Be kind to yourself – we are all
human!