Future Role of Health Practitioners Supporting Mental Illness Patients

This report delves into the evolving role of health practitioners in supporting individuals with lived experience of mental illness. It begins by defining mental health and its determinants, highlighting the prevalence of mental illness in Australia and common disorders. The report then explores the limitations of current mental health services and advocates for improvements, including mental health training, research, and re-envisioning current health models. It emphasizes the importance of the live experience medical model, the role of peer workers, and the value of allied mental health services, including strategies such as relaxation therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. Furthermore, the report discusses the potential of e-mental health strategies and initiatives by Australian government. The report concludes by emphasizing the need for recovery-oriented care and the promotion of independent living with human rights to enhance mental health services.

Future role of health practitioner to support persons with live experience of
mental illness

Mental health
• Mental health is an integral part of every human being to stay stable in
everyday life.
• A good mental health enhances a person’s critical and cognitive ability.
• It is considered as ‘psychological well-being’ of human beings.
• Mental health indicates a proper balance between effort and enjoyment
in everyday life("How Different Mental Illnesses Are Diagnosed and
Treated", 2019).
World health organization on mental Health
• According to the World Health Organization, mental well-being of any
individual is encompassed by their realization of self abilities.
• It is surrounded by the ability to manage professional stress in normal life,
stay happy in life, and contribute to the society.
• Mental health can be affected by several social, economic, communal and
other aspects.

• Determinants of mental health and mental disorders
• Self thoughts
• Behaviors
• Social interactions
• Adjustment ability
• Self control
• Self awareness
Political and environmental determinants of mental health and mental illness
• Poverty
• Education
• National policies
• Safety and security
• Standard of living
• Work pressure
• Protection and support from community and society

Mental illness
• Mental illness or disorders can be addressed as different mental conditions
of any individual that affect behavioral and thinking abilities ("Common
mental health issues : Safety, Health and Wellbeing : The University of
Western Australia", 2014).
• Mental health turns into a mental illness when stress affects self functioning
ability ("Mental illness - Symptoms and causes", 2019).
Signs and symptoms of mental illness
• Delusions
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations
• Fears
• Mood swing
• Violence
• Less social connections

Mental illness in Australia
• Approximately 20% of Australians aged 18-65 are suffered from mental
illness every year.
• Australian youth of Mid to late adolescence (18-24) are more prone to suffer
from mental illness.
• Young generation in Australia tends to end their life due to depression,
anxiety, and other mental illnesses ("Mental health services in Australia,
Prevalence, impact and burden - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare",
2019).

Most common mental illness in Australia
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Substance use disorder
Reasons behind mental illness:
• Chronic diseases
• Work pressure
• Social relationship impairment
• Lower adjusting ability
• Biochemical or hormonal imbalance in side the body ("Common mental
health issues : Safety, Health and Wellbeing : The University of Western
Australia", 2014)

Example of mental illness
• Bipolar disorder
• Depression
• Dyspnoea
• Attention deficit disorder
• Some acute illnesses are:
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Schizophrenia
• Personality disorder("Types of mental illness", 2019)

Who can help
 Family members
 General physicians
 Nurses
 Psychiatrist
 Psychologist
 Music therapist
 Yoga trainer
 Art therapist

How to prevent
There are no permanent solutions of mental illness.
But there are some steps that can prevent stress and boost self esteem to
control illnesses (Knapen, Vancampfort, Moriën & Marchal, 2014).
These are:
 Do not overlook the warning signs
 Get regular medical check up
 Care for yourself
 Ask for help when needed (Worden, 2018).
Reformation of mental health services
 Mental health care is the less talked matter globally.
 Governments of the developed countries are still not concerned
about the improvement of mental health services(Lake, 2017).
 Few countries like Australia have taken initiatives but these are not
enough for accomplishing futuristic goals(Mental Health
Commission of New South Wales,2014).

Some areas that are still under the dark
 Mental health training
 Mental health education in school and college level
 New research method development
 Re-envisioning current health model
 Allied mental health services (Lund, Tomlinson & Patel, 2016).

Futuristic progression and future role of practitioners to support people who
have experienced mental illness
Live experience medical model:
• The mental health policy of Australia is currently seeking for genuine
consumer participation for better service outcomes.
• It will enhance understanding of individuals perspective who have suffered
from mental illness (Barak & Grohol, 2011)
• Consumers who have already been experienced mental illnesses can help
practitioners to understand mental health challenges.

• Treatment of mental illness needs more empathy, emotions and passions that
can be achieved through live experience medical models (Byrne,2017).
• Individuals who are working as a live model of mental illness called peer
workers (Byrne,2017).
Allied mental health services
• Allied health professionals help individuals with mental disorders and
illnesses.
• They develop innovative strategies to resolve mental problems of the
individuals("Mental health - Allied Health Professions Australia",
2019).
Some useful psychological strategies are:
• Relaxation therapy
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Anger management
• Social skills training

• Motivational education
• Parenting training
E-mental health
• E-mental health strategy provides successful online helping services
for those who are suffering from mental illness.
• People who do not want to communicate with mental health
professionals can easily express their mental condition through verbal
communication technique.
• E-mental health strategy also provides guidance in investment for
treatment of mental illnesses (E
‐Mental Health Strategy for Australia,
2012).
• It is cost effective and this service reduces workforce issues.
• This service is also useful for those who have transport difficulties.