Understanding MH

• Mental Health


  A study of our wellbeing, it looks at our emotional, psychological & social wellbeing
• Mental illness


  Mental health conditions that can affect your mood, thinking and behavior
• Common mental illnesses


  • Schizophrenia
  • Anxiety
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Depression
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Stigma


  Negative and often unfair beliefs that a group of people have about something or someone
• Psychosis


  Is a severe mental disorder which causes a person's thoughts and perceptions to be distorted through hallucinations and delusions
• Psychopathy


  Egocentric and antisocial activity, lack of remorse for one's actions, absence of empathy for others and often criminal tendencies
• Mental Health policies


  • Vision for change 2006
  • Sharing the Vision 2020
• Mental health services


  • Pieta House
  • Mental Health Ireland
  • Samaritans
  • Aware
  • Bodywhys
  • Grow
  • Positive Mental Health
• Positive mental health


  Feeling in control of your life and personal decisions, coping with life changes/challenges, functioning well mentally
• How to promote positive mental health

  • Exercise
  • Meditation
  • Healthy eating
  • Limiting screen time
• Signs and symptoms of depression

  • Irregular sleep patterns
  • Loss of interest in hobbies
  • Continuous low mood
  • Change in appetite
  • Fatigue or lack of energy
• Signs and symptoms of schizophrenia

  • Hallucinations
  • Delusions
  • Disorganized thinking
  • Poor self-hygiene
  • Changes in body language and emotions
• Causes of mental illness

  • Adverse Childhood Experiences
  • Stressful life events
  • Genetics
  • Abuse
  • Family history
  • Medication
  • Trauma
• Medication (treatment for mental illness)


  A holistic way, more effective and produces better results
• Principles of 'A Vision for Change'


  • Person-centered approach
  • Multi-disciplinary team
  • Holistic
  • Community-based
• Major life stressors


  • Death of a loved one
  • Divorce
  • Loss of a job
  • Moving
  • Getting married
  • Major illness or injury
  • Social media
• Importance of sleep


  Improves mood and brain performance, boosts memory and learning
• What does physical activity do


  Supports brain health, improves sleep, prevents illness, reduces stress, boosts energy