Tutorial and labs

• Self-awareness


  Conscious knowledge of one's own character, feelings, motives, and desires. Involves understanding your own emotions, strengths, weaknesses, values, and the impact of your behavior on others.
• Self-concept


  The overall perception of oneself, which includes beliefs about one's abilities, appearance, and personality. Encompasses all the ideas and thoughts one has about themselves, shaped by experiences, relationships, and social interactions.
• Self-esteem


  One's overall sense of self-worth or personal value. How much you appreciate and like yourself regardless of the circumstances. High self-esteem means having a positive view of oneself, while low self-esteem means having a negative view.
• Personality

  The combination of characteristics or qualities that form an individual's distinctive character. Includes patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are consistent over time and across situations.
• Asylum

  An institution for the care of people with mental illnesses. Historically, asylums were facilities where people with mental health issues were isolated from society, often under poor and inhumane conditions.
• Deinstitutionalization


  The process of reducing the number of people housed in institutional settings for mental health care, and transitioning them to community-based services. This movement aims to integrate individuals with mental illnesses into society, promoting their autonomy and quality of life.
• Points to Consider When Working on Your Self-awareness


  • Reflection
  • Feedback
  • Mindfulness
  • Journaling
  • Strengths and Weaknesses
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Goal Setting
  • Learning
• Mental health

  A state of well-being in which an individual realizes their own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively, and contribute to their community. It encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being, influencing how we think, feel, and act.
• Sources of Mental Illness Imagery

  • Movies
  • Television
  • Personal Experiences
  • Media
• Personal Characteristics Indicative of Good Mental Health

  • Resilience
  • Emotional Stability
  • Positive Relationships
  • Self-confidence
  • Adaptability
  • Problem-solving Skills
  • Self-care
  • Empathy
• St. Giles Hospital (STGH)

  Mental health facility located on Reservoir Road in Suva, Fiji, established more than 100 years ago
• STGH in the past

  • Had high stone walls and locked doors, typical of mental health facilities of its time
• STGH now

  • Has adopted more humane and modern approaches to mental health care, including the elimination of padded cells and the introduction of modern drug treatments
• Mental health services provided at STGH

  • Inpatient psychiatric care
  • Outpatient services
  • Occupational therapy
  • Recreational activities for patients
• Wards at STGH

  • Men's ward
  • Women's ward
  • Disturbed patients' ward
  • Ward for the criminally insane
• Other units at STGH

  • Occupational therapy unit
  • Recreational therapy unit
  • Small library for patients
  • Gardens for therapeutic activities
• Voluntary Admission


  Where patients willingly seek help
• Involuntary Admission

  Typically for those who pose a danger to themselves or others and are admitted through legal or medical referrals
• Discharge procedure at STGH

  1. Assessment

  2. Planning

  3. Family Involvement

  4. Referral Services
• The discharge procedure ensures that patients transition smoothly back into the community while receiving the necessary ongoing care
• Maintaining Mental Health


  Title of presentation
• Welcome and brief introduction

  Greeting
• Purpose

  Explain the importance of maintaining mental health
• Mental health

  Includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act.
• Good mental health


  • Crucial at every stage of life, from childhood through adulthood
• Mental health problems

  Not a sign of weakness
• Common Myths

  • Mental health problems are rare
  • People with mental health problems are violent or unpredictable
• Mental health issues are common and affect millions of people
• The majority are not violent and can function well in daily life
• Positive Indicators of Mental Health

  • Ability to enjoy life
  • Resilience in the face of adversity
  • Balance between work, rest, and play
  • Self-care and self-compassion
  • Strong relationships and social connections
• Negative Indicators of Mental Illness

  • Persistent sadness or irritability
  • Extreme mood changes
  • Withdrawal from social activities
  • Excessive fears or worries
  • Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping habits
• Strategies for Maintaining Mental Health

  • Self-Care: Regular exercise, balanced diet, adequate sleep
  • Stress Management: Techniques like mindfulness, yoga, and meditation
  • Social Support: Building strong relationships and staying connected
  • Professional Help: Seeking therapy or counseling when needed
  • Healthy Habits: Avoiding alcohol, drugs, and maintaining a routine
• Mental Health

  State of well-being, Ability to cope with normal stresses, Work productively and contribute to the community
• Mental Illness


  Diagnosable health conditions, Significant changes in thinking, emotion, or behavior, Impaired functioning in social, work, or family activities
• Everyone has mental health
• Mental health can be influenced by various factors
• Maintaining mental health is crucial for overall well-being
• Mental illnesses are medical conditions that need treatment
• Mental illnesses can be managed with appropriate care
• Early intervention can improve outcomes for mental illnesses