Men’s Health Peer EducationHEALTH MANAGEMENT
Mental health and mental illness: resources(Tab 27)
Mental health and mental illness
Resources
The following resources can be found in this section:
- Mental health and mental illness (PPTs)
- Scenario: Mental health and mental illness
- Activity: Staying mentally healthy
- Quiz: Mental health and mental illness
- Handouts
The DVA Trainer will determine which activities are suitable for the training. Please note not all activities may be used during the training.
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
Men’s Health Peer EducationHEALTH MANAGEMENT
Mental health and mental illness: resources(Tab 27)
Mental health and mental illness (PPTs)
The Mental health and mental illness PowerPoint (PPT) is located on the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Men’s Health Peer Education Volunteer Resource website page.
The PPT file is:TAB27 – Mental health and mental illness.ppt
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
Men’s Health Peer EducationHEALTH MANAGEMENT
Mental health and mental illness: resources(Tab 27)
Scenario
SCENARIO: Mental health and mental illness (training use only)Part 1
You catch up with Jeff once a month for a social golf game. He has always been a ‘nervy’ sort of bloke, so he is always on time and organised. Today he is 20 minutes late, forgot his buggy, and you have to re-arrange tee off. He looks like he has just got out of bed, and hasn’t slept much. All out of character.
When you ask if he had a big night, he tells you no, but that he is having problems sleeping, and struggling to get going in the morning. ‘Don’t really feel like doing anything.’ Your memory of your fishing trips is that he sleeps like a log and is first up getting breakfast and sorting gear.
As you play he reveals he is having trouble with his wife because he has been forgetful and ‘flying off the handle’. His wife thinks he might be stressed at work, and they need a holiday, but he tells you work is the same as always—pretty easy (although he is having more trouble concentrating on his courier run).
Questions to raise / Talking points
- What indications are there that it could be depression?
- Could it be anything else?
- What else might you ask Jeff?
- What can you do that might be helpful?
Part 2
You see Jeff a month later for golf. Things aren’t very different, but he has seen his GP and was diagnosed with depression. He has started antidepressants a week ago, and has a referral to a psychologist. While you are playing he tells you that he doesn’t feel any better on the tablets, and they are giving him bad dreams that are making his sleep worse, so he might stop taking them. He doesn’t believe he needs to see a psychologist—he doesn’t really believe in them. He just needs to ‘stick it out’ and get himself better.
Questions to raise / Talking points
- What might you say to Jeff?
- Any other recommendations?
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
Men’s Health Peer EducationHEALTH MANAGEMENT
Mental health and mental illness: resources(Tab 27)
Part 1
- What indications are there that it could be depression?
- change—out of character is important. Depression can be insidious and not seeing Jeff for a month means you might notice things he or his family may not.
- history of anxiety?
- late
- disorganised
- sleep problems
- forgetful
- dishevelled
- unmotivated
- memory problems
- relationship issues
- anger
- lack of concentration.
- Could it be anything else?
- Absolutely! Anxiety, anaemia, thyroid problems etc. You can’t diagnose a mental illness, and a health professional requires clinical skills and will need to talk to Jeff.
- What else might you ask Jeff?
- ‘What do you think the problem is?’
- ‘Have you talked about the problems with your wife?’
- ‘Have you talked to your GP or anyone else about it?’
- What can you do that might be helpful?
- Encourage him to see his GP or to contact VVCS.
- If you think it might be helpful, add that ‘it sounds as though something is wrong. I’ve known people with issues like depression that can look like that. It is always worth getting things checked out.’
- Give him website information that allows him to do a quick self-check, e.g. beyondblue, At-Ease.
Part 2
- What might you say to Jeff?
- Antidepressants take a while to work.
- Side-effects of any drug are a reason to see the GP again. Sometimes they can change the drug or adjust the dose.
- The most important thing is you get better, and the best way to do that is work with your GP and be honest with him.
- The same goes for seeing a psychologist. Let your GP know about your views—there may be alternatives.
- Any other recommendations?
- Write down all your issues before you see the GP, and put them in order. Start with the most important to you.
- Some people might get better by themselves, but most do much better and get well faster by working with professionals.
- Encourage him to make his wife (and potentially other family/friends) part of his recovery ‘team’.
- If he wants someone else to chat with, suggest Veterans Line at VVCS.
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
Men’s Health Peer EducationHEALTH MANAGEMENT
Mental health and mental illness: resources(Tab 27)
Activity
ACTIVITY: Staying mentally healthyAsk all to stand up.
When ready, ask those who smoke to sit.
Then ask those who…
- are overweight… to sit—use the following list in any order (see below).
- don't exercise regularly… to sit etc.
- haven't seen their GP in the last 6 months
- drink more than 4 standard drinks at any one time
- drink more than 4 cups caffeine/day
- haven’t found the right balance between work and play
- have a chronic illness
- don’t sleep well
Continue to do this until only 1 or 2 people are still standing.
They are the ‘winners’, and their reward is good mental health!
Note that although all these factors are correlated with poorer mental health, they are not simply cause and effect.
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
Men’s Health Peer EducationHEALTH MANAGEMENT
Mental health and mental illness: resources(Tab 27)
Quiz
QUIZ: Mental health and mental illnessSelect the best answer.
- The best way to maintain good mental health is to:
b.Stay connected with friends and family
c.Avoid unnecessary stressful situations
d.Do Sudoku or crosswords at least three days each week
- Mental illness is the:
b.Second biggest cause of disability in Australia after injury
c.Third biggest cause of disability in Australia after cardiovascular disease and stroke
d.Second biggest cause of disability in Australia after obesity
- Who are more likely to get depression in Australia?
b.Men
c.Old people
d.Men and women get it at about the same rate
- Which is not a sign or symptom of depression?
b.Difficulty concentrating
c.Loss of interest in food
d.Thinking about death a lot
e.All of the above are signs or symptoms of depression
- Which has been found to be a useful treatment for depression?
b.Vitamin B6
c.Tyrosine
d.Sunlight
- What is the most common mental illness in Australian men?
b.Substance use disorder (including alcohol)
c.Anxiety disorders
d.Posttraumatic stress disorder
- Which is not a useful approach to aid recovery from anxiety disorders?
b.Relaxation training
c.Computer-aided psychological therapy
d.Cognitive behaviour therapy
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
Men’s Health Peer EducationHEALTH MANAGEMENT
Mental health and mental illness: resources(Tab 27)
Select the best answer.
- The best way to maintain good mental health is to:
b.Stay connected with friends and family
c.Avoid unnecessary stressful situations
d.Do Sudoku or crosswords at least three days each week
- Mental illness is the:
b.Second biggest cause of disability in Australia after injury
c.Third biggest cause of disability in Australia after cardiovascular disease and stroke
d.Second biggest cause of disability in Australia after obesity
- Who are more likely to get depression in Australia?
b.Men
c.Old people
d.Men and women get it at about the same rate
- Which is not a sign or symptom of depression?
b.Difficulty concentrating
c.Loss of interest in food
d.Thinking about death a lot
e.All of the above are signs or symptoms of depression
- Which has been found to be a useful treatment for depression?
b.Vitamin B6
c.Tyrosine
d.Sunlight
- What is the most common mental illness in Australian men?
b.Substance use disorder (including alcohol)
c.Anxiety disorders
d.Posttraumatic stress disorder
- Which is not a useful approach to aid recovery from anxiety disorders?
b.Relaxation training
c.Computer-aided psychological therapy
d.Cognitive behaviour therapy
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
Men’s Health Peer EducationHEALTH MANAGEMENT
Mental health and mental illness: resources(Tab 27)
Handout
The following handout can be found in this section:
- DVA MHPE Information Sheet: Mental health and mental illness
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs At-Ease portal has many useful brochures and factsheets regarding mental health. View them all on the At-Ease website (
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
Men’s Health Peer EducationHEALTH MANAGEMENT
Mental health and mental illness: resources(Tab 27)
MHPE Information Sheet: Mental Health and Mental Illness: Put your mind At-Ease
Good mental health is nurtured by time with others, staying physically healthy, having a sense of purpose, and participating in pleasurable activities. It is normal and healthy to experience stress, worries, sadness and grief. Sometimes these and other issues, such as physical illness or relationship problems, can contribute to the development of mental illness.
Like physical health problems, mental illnesses are common; up to half of all Australians will experience an episode in their lifetime, and mental illness is a large cause of disability. Most of those who experience mental illness recover and live well.
Depression
While all men experience temporary sadness, more than one in eight will develop the illness of depression at some stage. This is distinguished by prolonged feelings of sadness and lack of interest or pleasure in usual activities. Other common symptoms include lack of energy and concentration, sleep problems, worry, loss of appetite and feelings of guilt. Most men with depression recover after seeking help.
Anxiety
Anxiety is normal, healthy and helpful. Anxiety disorders, the most common mental illness in Australia, involve anxiety that is more severe, longer lasting, and interferes with normal activities. Anxiety disorders include posttraumatic stress disorder, agoraphobia and panic disorder. Most men with anxiety disorders do not seek professional help, but most have great potential for recovery.
What helps for depression and anxiety
The earlier help is sought the better. The most important start of recovery is recognising that a problem exists, then seeking help, such as talking to the GP or VVCS. They can initiate talking therapies such as cognitive behaviour therapy, which have been found most successful. The doctor can also prescribe medications if considered necessary. There are many other strategies that can be very helpful and can be done at your own pace. These could include exercise, learning relaxation techniques and referring to goodself-help books and websites (ask VVCS or the GP for suggestions).
Learning and talking about depression or anxiety helps; ignoring it doesn’t!
Helping a mate
In order to assist a mate who may be experiencing mental health issues, create a ‘safe’, confidential setting to talk, and express your concern and willingness to help. Listen with an open mind, and give support and information within your limits. Encourage him to seek appropriate professional help, and to involve family and friends. Importantly, stay in touch. Mental illness doesn’t resolve instantly.
The MHPE health promotion message is crucial for all men: good food, exercise, sleep and social connectedness are great for your mental health!
Further information
At-Ease Portal(
VVCS website ( or 1800 011 046
Beyondblue website ( or 1300 22 4636
Reviewed: 08/10/2015