Life Stars Magazine July 2012
The “S” Word
Stigma and how we can stop it!
Top Apps Great iPad and iPod Apps for helping your self when you’re feeling low.
Pet s & Pe o p l e How Pets can help combat the stressors in life.
s u l P ce of
ortan and p m i The oups r g t r e suppo create on o how t ourself. f or y
How to really be happy Rural Life How to cope with isolation while living in rural areas
Contents
Features 3
Pets and People
4 The ‘S’ Word - Stigma 9
From the Gutter to Glass
Business Owner of The Admin Chick & Founding Manager of Today’s VA! Magazine is committed to helping others who are in the same situation she was in by creating another magazine for those suffering mental illness and other humanity issues.
6 HOW TO: Coping with living rural 7 Online Toolbox 8 Ten Minutes with...
House - Renee Chapman
10 Events & Calendar
11
18
Support Groups
13- 16
Cover Story - How to really be Happy!
20
21 - Alcohol
25
24 - Top iPad apps for
26
Inspirational Books
Classifieds - Trades & Services Time-wasters
helping yourself.
Opinions - Letters to the Editor
23 -
27 -
What is
From The Editor Hi and welcome to the first edition of Life Stars Magazine.
Renee Chapman:
Regulars
This is a magazine specifically for anyone who has been diagnosed with a mental disorder, has Depression or simply wants to engage in a bit of self help or research in the Mental Health Industry. I will be publishing 2 Editions of Life Stars Magazine full of fantastic self help articles, columns, special features, regular content and advertising. I was contemplating publishing the magazine as a hard copy and sending it to each postal
Feel Good Factor
address I received but I figured that because we are all living in a n online world I would make it digital so you can read it online or download and print if you wish to and in time I might be able to publish print versions. I really hope that you enjoy the articles and features I have in store for you in this edition and please feel free to contact me for any information about any of the articles or comments you have. Cheers
Renee :)
I’ve been a dog owner for the majority of my life, so I fully understand the joys and miseries that accompany the role. The fact that pets can improve your quality of life won’t come as a surprise to people with companion animals. Thanks to modern research, we’re now starting to understand the specific mental and physical health benefits that pets provide and the important role they can play in our lives.
Pets  and  People
Having pets can reduce your stress immensely, which is something many of us suffer from in our day to day lives. Studies have shown that when people are asked to do a stressful task, having their pet with them lowers their stress levels even more than having a supportive friend or their spouse close by. The effects are also clear in people with Alzheimer’s; they tend have fewer anxious episodes if they have animal at home. Pets can also be tremendously helpful for lifting feelings of loneliness and isolation. They provide unconditional love, companionship and the opportunity for close connection. When people in assisted living homes are visited by companion animals, they report feeling much less lonely afterwards and even less lonely than when they spend time with other people. Companion animals provide social support to their owners in several ways. Pets make excellent friends; they’re good listeners, non-judgemental, and loyal. They also offer an opportunity to meet other pet owners, either through mutual interest groups or by encountering people when you go out with your pets. When people walk their dogs, they tend to make much more eye contact with other people than when they walk alone, and they have more people interact with them. Those social benefits go beyond the times you’re with your pet; people with pets report feeling more connected to the other people in their lives in other circumstances too. In addition to these benefits, pets encourage playfulness and often revive a sense of fun, adventure, and curiosity in their owners. Physical contact is also important to good mental health and many types of animals provide an opportunity for hugs and touch that might otherwise be missing from people’s lives. People may also develop a sense of purpose in their lives when they have an animal to care for. Not surprisingly, people with pets have been shown to have lower rates of depression.
The fact that pets can improve your quality of life won’t come as a surprise to people with companion animals. Thanks to modern research, we’re now starting
Did you know... Pets also encourage us to stay active and get more exercise, which has both physical and mental health benefits. Even for elderly people, pet owners tend to be more active than non-pet owners. Companion animals keep us feeling young, healthy and happy. It’s not a subtle difference, either; pet owners over 65 make 30% fewer visits to doctors than those without.
to understand the specific mental and physical health benefits that pets provide and the important role they can play in our lives.
The ‘S’ Word - Stigma
How you can fight stigma We can all do our part to reduce stigma and make life easier for the millions of people who struggle with mental illness. Here’s some ideas:
• Educate yourself about mental illness. Having the facts can help you challenge the misinformation that leads to stigma.
It is an undisputed fact that individuals who experience mental health issues are often faced with discrimination that results from misconceptions of their illness. As a result, many people who would benefit from mental health services often do not seek treatment for fear that they will be viewed in a negative way. The World Health Organization agrees and says that in the 400 million people worldwide who are affected by mental illness, about twenty percent reach out for treatment . The World Psychiatry Association began an international program to fight the stigma and discrimination many people hold toward individuals who have mental health issues. It is the 21st century, and though evidence-based research has shown us that mental illness is a real medical disorder, stigma is on the rise instead of on the decline. David Satcher, US Attorney General writes, “Stigma was expected to abate with increased knowledge of mental illness, but just the
opposite occurred: stigma in some ways intensified over the past 40 years even though understanding improved. Knowledge of mental illness appears by itself insufficient to dispel stigma.” MYTH: People with mental illnesses are dangerous. FACT: This powerful myth has been fed by the media. In fact, the vast majority of people with mental illnesses are not dangerous. They are much more likely to be the victims of violence and crime than the perpetrators. MYTH: If you have a mental illness, you can will it away. Being treated for a psychiatric disorder means an individual has in some way "failed" or is weak. FACT: A serious mental illness cannot be willed away. Ignoring the problem does not make it go away, either. It takes courage to seek professional help.
• Be aware of words. Don't reduce people to a diagnosis. Instead of "a schizophrenic," say "a person with schizophrenia." Correct people who use hurtful language to describe people with mental illness, such as "psycho" or "crazy."
• Challenge media
stereotypes. Write letters to any newspapers, TV or radio stations that promote negative portrayals of people with mental illness.
• Support those with
mental health issues. Treat them with respect. Help them find jobs or housing. Encourage them to get or stick with treatment.
• Share your story. If you or someone in your family has had a mental illness, speak up about it. Your example could help someone else.
SANE Australia is a national charity working for a better life for people affected by mental illness. SANE Helpline 1800 187 263 www.sane.org
HOW TO: Cope with Living in rural areas Farming families are under increasing pressure. Financial hardship and other difficulties can lead to stress, depression, relationship breakdown, substance abuse, and increased risk of farm accidents and, in some cases, suicide. Many farm families respond to hard times by tightening the household budget and spending less on food, clothes and maintenance of equipment.
• The farm may be the only real investment the family has and the sole legacy for the They may also rely more on credit. The effort children. of trying to provide for the family and keep • Selling the farm would feel like a terrible the farm going can be intensely stressful. For a betrayal of past and future generations. farm family in dire straits, the options may • People who farm the land tend to pride seem bleak - to struggle on is stressful, but to themselves on self-sufficiency and sell the farm and leave the industry would be independence, so asking for help can be highly distressing too. hard to do. • Impact of hard times Some of the Farm families pride A different kind of consequences of hard times on farm work-related stress themselves on selffamilies can include: Most people sufficiency and • Less money spent on food, clothing, experience workindependence, so education and entertainment for the related stress, no asking for welfare (like family. matter what their social security payments • Less money spent on household occupation. However, or food parcels from maintenance and Farm equipment isn’t farm families can charities) can be hard properly maintained, which increases the sometimes respond to to do. risk of accidents. work-related stress in • Loss of savings or taking loans from different ways to other friends and relations. people. • Increased reliance on credit. • The need for one or more family Some of the issues faced by farmers include: members to leave the farm and find employment somewhere else. • Most farmers could never imagine doing • Having to fire workers or being unable to anything else for a living, since farming is hire workers. If workers can’t be hired, part of their identity. children may have to perform jobs and, • The farm is not only the workplace, but the sometimes, a child could be too young to home too. perform a job safely. • The welfare of the family depends directly • Safe work practices may be skipped in on the fortunes of the farm. an attempt to save time or labour. • Family tradition is strong, since the farm may have been in the family for generations.
ONLINE TOOLBOX
www.sane.org Sane Australia
Well I don’t know about you but I love free stuff and good resources. So I have dedicated a page to give you some of the websites I have visited which are worthy of a mention for their content, information and the resources you can use. Here is a list of many great websites you can visit with loads of valuable information and support that you may need, Check them out!
www.moodgym.anu.edu.au MoodGym
www.beyondblue.org.au Beyond Blue
Enjoy!
www.findingoptimism.com
www.everydayhero.com.au
Optimism
Everyday Hero
10 Minutes with
Natalie Imbrulgia! Natalie Imbruglia is the Central Coast girl who acted in Neighbours and went on to have a series of Gold and Platinum album successes in the UK and US as well as Australia – with Left of the Middle, White Lilies Island and Counting Down the Days. In 2001 she became the face of L’Oreal cosmetics. Behind this success as an actor, singer and model though, she has battled depression for many years. Natalie now speaks out publicly about her own experience in the hope that it will encourage others to seek help and not feel embarrassed or ashamed. ‘I have experienced depression,’ she says, ‘and that’s why I think it’s important to talk about it – because if I can tell people that I’ve been through it, maybe they won’t feel so silly that they have.’ After breaking up with my husband I felt I should do something that would give me a new lease of life. My good friend Jack Osbourne asked me if I wanted to take part in his TV show, Celebrity Adrenaline Junkie, and I jumped at the chance. All my friends thought I was completely nuts. I was terrified at the prospect, but once I'd done it, I realised that I was capable of taking on any challenge. Since childhood I've always had a tendency to lean towards melancholy. My sisters suffer from it too, so maybe it's a genetic thing. But none of us has ever been on medication. Maybe it's just that we're very emotional people. It got particularly bad for me when I was in my twenties. I was successful, rich and terribly unhappy. I withdrew from the world and that made me even more depressed. I can understand why some people might look at me and say, 'What's she got to be depressed about?' I get that a lot in Britain, where mental-health issues seem to be a big taboo. Australians are much more open about this stuff. So I feel no shame in admitting that I've struggled in that way and gone through therapy. I can handle it a lot better these days. If I start feeling down I'll gorge myself on pasta. That usually does the trick. It's the Italian blood in me.
People Profiles - Renee Chapman From the Gutter to the Glass House! Renee Chapman is the owner of The Admin Chick, which specialises in virtual admin and office management services to small business owners in regional and rural areas. Caring comes naturally for Renee as she is a casual wildlife carer and volunteers a lot of her time to the local Wildlife Rescue Shelter in Kununurra. Renee is a life member of the RSPCA, advocates for social justice, human rights and community/animal welfare and has battled with major events in her life that have almost brought her to the brink of no return, such as battling with Major Depression since childhood, Diagnosed with Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Social Phobia, being the victim of various forms of Sexual, Physical and Emotional Abuse, Suicide and Sexual Health Problems leaving her unable to have children and suffering from alcohol abuse for 10 years of her life which she is now proud to say that she has not gone back to the bottle after almost 6 years now. Her submissive, quiet and shy nature is no surprise after a long battle with these troubles and 2009 she suffered from a nervous breakdown shortly after turning 30. After thinking she may not even get passed her 21st birthday, Today, Renee is a strong willed woman and is more determined than ever to succeed at whatever life throws her way. After resigning from her full-time job as the Office Manager at a counselling agency, she established her virtual business, called The Admin Chick in June 2010 and although fairly new to the industry has given her heart and soul into this endeavour. With the tremendous support of her friends and family she has come a long way and is a totally new person in terms of standing up for herself and making her own decisions. Renee is known for being a caring, and friendly person, despite being a little introverted, once you get to know her she is definitely a very jovial person who loves helping others. Her passion for learning has given her a remarkable variety of different skills including business administration, working with indigenous people, working in Community Services, Natural Therapies, Catering, Mental Health Issues, Languages, Environmental Issues and Computer Technology. She is fluent using Microsoft, Mac and Linux based programs and loves using her creativity in her work by creating publications, business templates, assisting with tenders and grants and many more duties that she works n in her new business. If you know someone who would like to be featured as a profile or has led a tough life and come back better than ever, let us know! We’d love to feature them in our Life Stars Magazine!
Events and Calendar JULY
OCTOBER
Stress Down Day Organisation: Lifeline Australia Stress Down Day is a fundraising event to help cover the cost of running Lifeline's 24 hour telephone counseling line - 13 11 14. Workplaces participate by enjoying a day of stress reducing activities, including wearing casual dress to work, in exchange for a donation to the cause. Email: stressdownday@lifeline.org.au Website: www.stressdown.org.au/
R U OK? Day Organisation: R U OK? Are You Ok Day is an annual national day of action that aims to get Australians, right across the entire spectrum of society, connecting with friends and loved ones, by reaching out to anyone doing it tough and simply asking: "Are you ok?" talking about suicide with someone at risk actually reduces the chances of them taking their life. It is the one thing we can all do to make a real difference. Email: hello@ruokday.com.au Website: www.ruokday.com.au/
AUGUST Homeless Persons Week Organisation: Homelessness Australia Homeless Persons Week is aimed at raising awareness of the roughly 105,000 Australians who are homeless. Email: media@homelessnessaustralia.org.au Website: www.homelessnessaustralia.org.au/ site/National%20Homeless%20Persons %20Week.php Brain Injury Awareness Week Organisation: Brain Injury Australia Brain Injury Australia is the peak body representing people with acquired brain injury (any damage to the brain that occurs after birth). Brain Injury Awareness Week aims to increase understanding of the various issues associated with acquired brain injuries. Email: admin@bia.net.au Website: www.braininjuryaustralia.org.au/ SEPTEMBER Foster Care Month The month also creates an opportunity to focus on the secondary aim of increasing recruitment by highlighting the ongoing need for the recruitment of appropriate foster care families World Suicide Prevention Day to reduce the incidence of suicide in Australia, raise awareness of this significant national challenge & share information
World Mental Health Day World Mental Health Day aims to raise public awareness of mental health issues, and increase understanding of the strain they can place on the individual, their families, friends and communities. NOVEMBER Movember Movember is an annual, month-long celebration of the moustache, highlighting men's health issues, specifically prostate cancer and depression in men. National Psychology Week To celebrate National Psychology Week, psychologists throughout Australia will showcase how psychology can make a positive difference to the quality of people's lives. Social Inclusion Week To help Australians feel valued and to give people the opportunity to participate fully in society. It's about connecting with local communities, work mates, family and friends to build relationships and networks, addressing isolation and exclusion by supporting people who may be unable help themselves.
MENTAL HEALTH CARE PLANS
Mental health care plans are for people with a mental illness who have several healthcare professionals working with them. A care plan explains the support provided by each of those professionals and when treatment should be provided. Your care plan might also include what to do in a crisis or to prevent relapse. Your doctor will use a care plan to help you work out what services you need, set goals and decide on the best treatment options for you. At other times, your doctor may contribute to a care plan that someone else has organised – e.g., when you are returning home from spending time in hospital. Care plan explained Providing ongoing care and support for someone who is living with a mental illness can involve many different support organisations. These may include psychologists, GPs, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses or other community care providers. They are all part of the ‘healthcare team’ that works together to provide you with the best level of care possible. Everyone’s treatment needs are different. A care plan puts down in writing the support you can expect from each of the people in your mental healthcare team and makes sure that everyone knows who is responsible for
what and when. You are an important part of this team and should be fully involved in preparing your mental health care plan. Preparing your care plan Your doctor will work with you to decide: What your mental health needs are What help you require – your medical, physical, psychological and social needs are all considered What result you would like What treatment would be best for you. Once you and your doctor have agreed on your goals and what support you need to achieve them, your doctor will write out a mental health care plan. They will then discuss this with the other members of your healthcare team. Preparing the plan might take one visit or it might take a number of visits. Your GP will offer you a copy of the plan and will also keep a copy on your medical record. If you give permission, a copy can also be given to other people, such as psychologists or your carer. You should tell your doctor if there is any information you don’t want other people in your healthcare team to know. Benefits of a care plan Having a care plan will help you become more involved in your healthcare. A care plan can: Help you to set and achieve goals
Make sure everyone involved in your mental healthcare team is working towards the same goals Help you and your doctor manage your long-term care in a way that is clear and easy to understand Give you a way to monitor your progress and check that you continue to receive the care you need Lead to better treatment by focusing on improving and maintaining your health rather than just dealing with problems as they arise Provide life-saving information in emergencies. Issues to consider Most care plans are done in your doctor’s office. However, you may also have a care plan prepared for you when you leave hospital. The time it takes to draw up the care plan depends on your healthcare professional and the complexity of your situation.
Some things to think about include: You will need to request a long consultation with your doctor to allow enough time to prepare your care plan and discuss your treatment options. If you would like a carer, family member or someone else to accompany you to the care plan appointments, you may wish to let your doctor know beforehand. Your doctor must get your consent before a care plan is developed, and you should be given a written statement of your rights and responsibilities. Discuss with your doctor any aspects of your assessment that you do not want discussed with the other members of your healthcare team. Regular reviews are important Once you have a mental health care plan, you should continue to see the same doctor for review and management. Significant changes in your health may mean you need to make a new care plan. Even if there are no big changes to your situation, your care plan should be reviewed regularly to make sure it continues to meet your needs. How often a new plan is prepared may vary depending on which health professionals are involved. Care plans may be prepared every 12 months and should be reviewed
after three or six months, or sooner if needed. A date for review should be written into your care plan.
• Kids Help Line – 1800 55 1800 • Mensline Australia – 1300 789 978
Costs If you have a Medicare card, Medicare will cover some or all of the cost of care planning by a doctor. It may also rebate some of the costs of certain specialists or other health professionals, which will be charged separately. Your GP should tell you what costs (if any) are involved when you agree to make a mental health care plan. If you are unsure, ask your doctor what fees will be involved.
Things to remember Anyone who has a mental health problem that lasts longer than six months and needs the care of three or more health professionals will benefit from a care plan. Everyone’s treatment needs are different – your care plan can help you and your doctor work out what services are best for you. A care plan explains the support provided by each member of your healthcare team, who is responsible for what and when. Your care plan should be reviewed regularly to make sure it continues to meet your needs.
Where to get help • Your doctor • Mental healthcare professional – for example, a psychologist, GP, psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse or other community care staff member • SuicideLine Tel 1300 651 251 • Lifeline – 13 11 14
Taken from the Better Health Channel
Cover Story When you usually ask someone wether it’s a friend or the local checkout cashier how they are, nine times out of ten you get a response similar to ; “Oh I’ve been really busy” or “Not too bad” Good Thanks how are you?” Not once have I heard someone actually say that they’re actually happy. It’s funny that with so much on our minds now days we never seem to look after ourselves and ask our selves that important question. “Am I really Happy?” I think it might be time for a crash course on Happiness and to be honest this is something I need to do regularly as well so let’s start with the basics first, How can we really be Happy?
How to be really Happy!
So many of us live our lives always expecting for something to happen, tricking ourselves into thinking and believing that tomorrow will be better than today, that the next moment will be more precious and more valuable that this moment, constantly dreaming and hoping for something else, for something better, not realizing that: “Life is what happens to you, while you’re busy making other plans.” John Lennon If we could only start seeing this as being true and if we could only allow ourselves to be fully present in everything we do without the need to chase for something else, without the need to chase after something that will happen in the future, something that is not yet there we would be happy. When your mind is fully present and engaged in whatever you are doing each second of the day, you are content and you are at peaceful, for life is now, and life will always be now, not tomorrow, not yesterday, not in 1 year, 10 years, 50 years, but now! The beautiful and inspiring words that you will read bellow will help you remember who you are and what life is all about whenever your mind will try to convince you that where you are is not good enough, what you have is not good enough, who you are is not good enough. If you could remember these powerful words that hopefully will be engraved in your heart after reading them, you will be able to tame your mind and chances are that in time, you will be able to get to a point where you can appreciate the present moment fully, while still moving confidently in the direction of your dreams. “There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So, treasure every moment that you have. And treasure it more because you
shared it with someone special. And remember that time waits for no one. So stop waiting until you finish school, until you go back to school, Until you lose ten pounds, until you gain ten pounds, Until you have kids, until your kids leave the house, Until you start work, Until you retire, Until you get married, until you get divorced, until Friday night, Until Saturday morning, until you get a new car or home, Until your car or home is paid off, until spring, until summer , Until fall, until winter, until you are off welfare, until the first or fifteenth, Until your song comes on, until you’ve had a drink, Until you’ve sobered up, until you die, until you are born again, To decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy Happiness is a journey, not a destination Work like you don’t need the money, Love like you’ve never been hurt, And dance like no one’s watching.” Author Unknown
The 'happiness equation' Taken from Reachout www.reachout.com.au It has been suggested that there are several factors that contribute towards our happiness. This is an 'equation for happiness' suggested by Martin Seligman, an American based psychologist: H = Happiness S = Set range - (genetics: about 50%) C = Circumstances (8-15%) V = Voluntary Control - (past, present, future) This all looks very scientific, and is actually based on research findings, but can be explained quite simply:
Set range/genetics There is some evidence to support that we are all born with a certain "set-point" of happiness determined by our genes. This is supposed to change only slightly, if at all, as we get older. This contributes towards around 50% of our level of happiness. So if something dramatic happens, for example, you win the lottery or break up with your boyfriend or girlfriend, within a year or so (depending on the situation) your happiness level will return to its set point.
Circumstances There is also some evidence to suggest that the circumstance we live in influence our level of happiness. You don't always have a lot of control over your circumstances (for example, we can't all live in mansions and drive new cars). Evidence suggests, however, that this accounts for only around 8-15% of our happiness levels, which really isn't that much.
Voluntary Control This third factor is the most important factor in the equation because you can control it and in the process control your happiness. It includes all aspects of your life over which you have a relatively high degree of control including your thoughts and actions. This includes the way you choose to think about and act on the past, present, and future and seems to have quite a significant impact on how happy you are - if you do the math, it could be up to 42%! Â - Past - When thinking about the past, people who are happier pay attention to what is 'good' about the past rather than focusing on the unhappy times. They are grateful, forgiving, and don't believe that the past will determine what happens in the future. Â - Future - When it comes to thinking about the future, happy people are flexibly optimistic - what this means is that they are optimistic (in a realistic sense) about how their future is going to be but if it doesn't turn out that way, they know it's not going to be the end of the world either. Â - Present - The way you think about and act in the present is also essential in determining how happy you are. This might include things such as taking pleasure in life and your surroundings, building and being in meaningful relationships, and the way we react to things in life, both good and bad.
A Brief Overview of Mental Illness in Australia How many people are affected by mental illness in Australia? • Mental illness is common in Australia with one in five Australians experiencing a mental illness at some stage in their lives, and many experiencing more than one mental illness at one time. Are there differences between men and women? • Women are more likely than men to report anxiety and affective disorders. • Men are more than twice as likely as women to have substance use disorders, with alcohol disorders being three times more common than drug use disorders. • Men are affected by schizophrenia in slightly greater numbers; women tend to experience later onset, fewer periods of illness, and better recovery. • Obsessive-compulsive disorder is equally common in males and females. • Up to 90% of eating disorders occur in women. • Gender differences in different types of mental illness are influenced by cultural backgrounds. Is mental illness common in young people? • The greatest numbers of people with a mental illness are in the 18-24 year age group. • 14% of Australian children and adolescents aged 4-17 years have mental health problems. This rate of mental health problems is found in all age and gender groups, although boys are slightly more likely to experience mental health problems than girls. • Onset of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia usually occurs in the mid to late teen years. • Depression is one of the most common mental health problems in young people. • Adolescents with mental health problems report a high rate of suicidal thoughts and other health-risk behaviour, including smoking and drug use. Are the patterns similar for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples? • At present, there is no definitive national data about the incidence or prevalence of mental disorders in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. However, limited available research supports the conclusion that serious mental disorders occur in these populations, and such disorders are at least as common as in the mainstream population. • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people receive proportionately reduced access to specialised care for mental disorders and behavioural disorders, yet their involuntary hospitalisation rate is significantly increased compared to the wider community. • The death rate associated with mental disorders among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males is over three times the rate for other Australian males.However, the rate is the same for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females as those in the general Australian population. • An Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person may also see particular feelings, beliefs or hallucinations, including hearing voices, as a spiritual or personal issue rather than mental illness.
This whole page could be Yours Today! Contact us for Cheap and Effective Advertising in Life Stars Magazine. support@theadminchick.com.au
Inspirational Books
Every Edition we feature a list of fantastic and resourceful books that are well worth a look if you want some quality self help guides. The following books have caught my eye and are also not that expensive. So why not take a look.
Treating Depressed and Suicidal Adolescents A Clinician's Guide David A. Brent; Kimberly D. Poling; Tina R. Goldstein Guilford Publications 2011 ISBN 9781606239575 Grounded in decades of research and the clinical care of thousands of depressed and suicidal teens, this highly accessible book will enhance the skills of any therapist who works with this challenging population. The authors describe the nuts and bolts of assessing clients and crafting individualized treatment plans that combine cognitive and behavioral techniques, emotion regulation interventions, family involvement, and antidepressant medication. Illustrated with many clinical examples, each chapter includes a concise overview and key points. Reproducible treatment planning forms and client handouts can be photocopied from the book or downloaded and printed by purchasers.
Getting Past Your Past Why We are Who We are and What to Do About it with Self-help Techniques from EMDR Therapy Francine Shapiro Rodale Press 2012 ISBN 9781594864254 Whether we've experienced small setbacks or major traumas, we are all influenced by memories and experiences we may not remember or don't fully understand. "Getting Past Your Past" offers practical procedures that demystify the human condition and empower readers looking to break free from
emotional roadblocks. Shapiro, the creator of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), explains the brain science in layman's terms and provides simple exercises that readers can do at home to achieve real change.
Treatment Plans and Interventions for Depression and Anxiety Disorders
- 2nd Edition Robert L. Leahy, Stephen J Holland and Lata K. McGinn Guilford Publications 2011 ISBN 9781609186494 This widely used book is packed with indispensable tools for treating the most common clinical problems encountered in outpatient mental health practice. Chapters provide basic information on depression and the six major anxiety disorders; step-by-step instructions for evidence-based assessment and intervention; illustrative case examples; and practical guidance for writing reports and dealing with third-party payers. In a convenient large-size format, the book features 125 reproducible client handouts, homework sheets, and therapist forms for assessment and record keeping. The included CDROM enables clinicians to rapidly generate individualized treatment plans, print extra copies of the forms, and find information on frequently prescribed medications. New to this edition: the latest research on each disorder and its treatment innovative techniques that draw on cognitive, behavioral, mindfulness, and acceptance-based approaches two chapters offering expanded descriptions of basic behavioral and cognitive techniques and more than 45 of the 125 reproducibles are entirely new.
Organisation Directory
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ADVERTISE WITH US! Life Stars is published half yearly by The Admin Chick to share stories, opinions, promote the wonderful work done by others and bring awareness to all about the impact
mental health can have on all of us as well as it’s members. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily that of The Director and content is under copyright and permission must be granted to use any of the content. Email: support@theadminchick.com.au
Alcoholism An alcoholic is a person who suffers from alcoholism - the body is dependent on alcohol. An alcoholic is addicted to alcohol. Alcoholism is a chronic (longterm) disease. People who suffer from alcoholism are obsessed with alcohol and cannot control how much they consume, even if it is causing serious problems at home, work and financially. Alcohol abuse generally refers to people who do not display the characteristics of alcoholism but still have a problem with it - these people are not as dependent on alcohol as an alcoholic is; they have not yet completely lost their control over its consumption. Consuming moderate quantities of alcohol will not usually cause any physical or psychological harm. Unfortunately, for some people social drinking eventually leads to heavier drinking, which can cause devastating health and psychological problems. According to the National Health Service (NHS), UK, approximately 1 in every 13 people in the UK is an alcoholic - a sizable proportion of the UK population drinks excessively. According to the NIH (National Institutes of Health), 15% of people in the United States are problem drinkers, and about 5% to 10% of male drinkers and 3% to 5% of female drinkers could be diagnosed as alcohol dependent. According to
the World Health Organization (WHO) there are at least 140 million alcoholics in the world, and the majority of them are not treated. A US study estimated that about 30% of Americans report having an alcohol disorder at some time in their lives. The signs of alcoholism and alcohol abuse are very similar, and are often just a question of degree or intensity. Typically, the last person to be aware that he/she has a serious drinking problem is the alcoholic himself/herself they are in denial.
time. • Having rituals and being irritated/annoyed when these rituals are disturbed or commented on. This could be drinks before/ during/after meals, or after work. • Dropping hobbies and activities the person used to enjoy; losing interest in them. • Feeling an urge to drink.
Some signs and symptoms of alcoholism as well as alcohol abuse include: • Drinking alone. • Drinking in secret. • Not being able to limit how much alcohol is consumed. • Blacking out - not being able to remember chunks of
• Feeling irritable when drinking times approach. This feeling is more intense if the alcohol is not available, or there appears to be a chance it may not be available. • Having relationship problems (triggered by drinking).
Alcoholism • Having stashes of alcohol in unlikely places.
What causes alcoholism (alcohol dependence)?
• Gulping drinks down in order to get drunk and then feel good.
Alcohol dependence is a gradual process which can take from a few years to several decades to become a problem - with some very vulnerable people addiction can come in a question of months.
• Having problems with the law (caused by drinking). • Having work problems (caused by drinking, or drinking as root cause). • Having money problems (caused by drinking). • Requiring a larger quantity of alcohol to feel its effect. • Nausea, sweating, or even shaking when not drinking. A person who abuses alcohol may have many of these signs and symptoms but they do not have the withdrawal symptoms like an alcoholic does, nor the same degree of compulsion to drink. The problems linked to alcohol dependence are extensive, and affect the person physically, psychologically and socially. Drinking becomes a compulsion for a person with a drink problem - it takes precedence over all other activities. It can remain undetected for several years.
Eventually, over time, regular alcohol consumption can disrupt the balance of the brain chemical GABA (gammaaminobutyric acid), which controls impulsiveness, as well as glutamate, which stimulates the nervous system. Brain levels of dopamine are raised when we consume alcohol dopamine levels may make the drinking experience more gratifying. Over the long- or mediumterm, excessive drinking can significantly alter the levels of these brain chemicals, making the person's body crave alcohol in order to feel good and avoid feeling bad.
So What exactly is Mental Illness? A mental disorder or mental illness is a psychological pattern, potentially reflected in behaviour, that is generally associated with distress or disability and which is not considered part of normal development of a person's culture. Mental disorders are generally defined by a combination of how a person feels, acts, thinks perceives.
the community and assessments are carried out by psychiatrists, clinical psychiatrists and
This may be associated with particular regions
clinical social workers, using various methods
or functions of the brain or rest of the nervous
but often relying on observation and
system often in a social context. The recognition questioning. Clinical treatments are and understanding of mental health conditions
provided by various mental health
have changed over time and across cultures
professionals. Psychotherapy and psychiatric
and there are still variations in definition,
medication are two major treatment
assessment and classification although
options, as are social interventions, peer
standard guideline criteria are widely used. In
support and self help. In a minority of cases
many cases, there appears to be a continuum
there might be involuntary detention or
between mental health and mental illness,
involuntary treatment, where legislation
making diagnosis complex. According to the
allows. Stigma and discrimination can add
World Health Organisation (WHO), over a third
to the suffering and disability associated with
of people in most countries report problems at
mental disorders (or with being diagnosed or
some time in their life which meet criteria for
judged as having a mental disorder),
diagnosis of one or more of the common types
leading to various social movements
of mental disorder.
attempting to increase understanding and challenge social exclusion Prevention is now
The causes of mental illness are varied and in
appearing in some mental health strategies.
some cases unclear, and theories may incorporate findings from a range of fields. Services are based in psychiatric hospitals or in
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Top iPad and iPod ApPs to help yourself I must admit I’m an App fanatic. I enjoy wasting my time reading and researching ways to make my life more better. When I bought the not so new iPad a few years ago, mental health was one of the first categories that I looked in to see what was available in the App Store. The following apps are some of my most favourite iPad Apps that I use on a regular basis and thought I would share with you. • Optimism FREE - Optimism is one of my all time favourite apps that I use on a constant basis. Its a mood charting app that helps you develop strategies to manage your condition. • Brainy App - FREE - This App helps to train and track your brain health and improve it’s performance, Like Lumosity it helps improve functions of the brain with areas where you may struggle with like memory. • My Mobile Guru FREE - is a free app that you can use to get motivated with vocal recordings for you to listen to.
• Brain Trainer- This is a great app done by Lumosity. it is one of the apps that I use everyday to enhance my memory, problem solving skills and re-train my brain similar to Brainy App. • Happy App - $4.49 - An app full of hypnotherapy recordings by Racheal Meddows to help you lift your spirits and be happy. Other Apps worth mentioning… • Mood Kit - $549 • eCBT for iPhone - $0.99 • Mood Journal - FREE • iCBT for iPad - $8.49 • Black Dog Pedometer - FREE • iCouch - $1.99 • Habit Changer - $1.99 • Virtual Clinic - The Get Happy Program FREE • Mental Disorders $5.49 • Masters Phobias $2.99 So check them out on the iTunes Store and try to help yourself by looking at some of the Apps available there so you can improve your mental health or at least understand more about your condition.
Time Wasters
ANAGRAM How many words can you find in the scrambled letters.
EPSIRSDNIE __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________
Helpful Hints
Gratitude Journal Each night, as I climb into bed, I pull out a very small notebook—my gratitude journal—from my bedside drawer. I write the date and then the numbers 1, 2 and 3 down the left hand side. Next to each number I write one thing that I am grateful for. It only takes a minute and I can still manage it even when I am very tired or very sick. Some days I can’t wait to grab the notebook at night and write in it. And there are nights that I’m sure I could write down a hundred things that I am blessed with. Other nights, I reach for that little notebook, filled with disdain and cynicism that I could find one, let alone three, things to write down. And yet, within a minute or two I have easily written three things that I genuinely feel grateful for. On those nights, writing in my gratitude journal helps me to refocus and see things with a more balanced view. It is my private little notebook. It gives me the freedom to be grateful for whatever I want, no matter how strange or silly it would sound to others. I have been grateful for something as significant as a loved one recovering from ill health, and for something as inconsequential as discovering a new lip gloss that I absolutely love.
So why do I do this every night? Well, it helps me to settle into a content, restful mood, feeling that I’m not doing too badly in this life if I have all these things I am grateful for. And I look more keenly during the day for good things that I can include in my gratitude journal.
Meditation and Me I’ve started to meditate again! It had slipped out of my life quietly, maybe because I got so busy. I recently heard someone wise talk about the power of our unconscious to guide us if we are able to tune in and listen to it. Hearing this reminded me of why meditation has been so good for me. It connects me to the still, small voice of knowing deep inside. It enables me to quieten my mind from its restless thinking, to relax deeply, and to make space for myself. Here’s what I do: I find a quiet place and time where I can relax and be still without interruption. I focus on my breathing, feeling my breath come and go like the tide. Then I deepen my breaths and feel them in my belly, letting them go and feeling the relaxation spread throughout my body. I do this for 15 or 20 minutes every day. Sometimes I imagine my breath as a light spreading through me, warming me and releasing any tension or tightness, until it reaches every cell in my body and I am deeply relaxed.
For replies or submission of letters to the Editor, email your opinions, comments or questions to Renee Chapman reneech@westnet.com.au
Feel Good Factor with Renee The Most Destructive habit .....................................................Worry The Greatest joy ......................................................................Giving The Greatest loss .....................................................................Self Respect The Most Satisfying Work ........................................................Helping Others The Ugliest Personality Trait ....................................................Selfishness The Greatest Problem to Overcome .....................................Fear The Most Effective Sleeping Pill..............................................Peace of Mind The Most Crippling Failure Disease .......................................Excuses The Most Powerful Force in Life ..............................................Love The Most Incredible Computer in The World ........................The Brain The Worse Thing To Be Without...............................................Hope The Most Deadliest Weapon ..................................................Words The Most Power-Filled Words .................................................“I Can” The Greatest Asset ..................................................................Faith The Most Worthless Emotion ...................................................Self Pity The Most Beautiful Attire .........................................................A Smile The Most Contagious Spirit .....................................................Enthusiasm
Meet Renee Chapman - The Admin Chick Renee assists her clients from her own office and delivers work on a virtual / online basis. She assists non-profit groups and small business owners in regional and remote areas so that she can give back to the community and help others to grow in their business. Her biggest reward is knowing that she has helped someone get back on track with their business or personal goals. She has a strong drive and enjoyment in helping others succeed and is dedicated to educating others, empowering others and using her skills to help small business owners become more successful in their life by allowing them to offload tasks that they simply don't have time to do. Renee is also the founder and managing director of the digital publication Today's VA Magazine, a magazine created for all virtual businesses and online businesses in Australia and the founder of the new Life Stars Magazine, a digital magazine for all people that are troubled with mental health conditions such as Depression and other mental illnesses.. 1 hour is $55 so you only pay $55. Annual Leave, Super, Tea Breaks, Office Space, Training & Employee Costs are no problem they’re all included in the set price.
The Admin Chick Supportive, Professional, Real!
Next Issue Get Your Copy Today! If you don’t want to miss out on the next edition of the “only magazine for people with mental health in Australia”. Sign up for updates, news and advertising offers. Visit The Life Stars Magazine’s website and for more information!
Next Issue out in December
2012
You can sign up for the magazine online, enter your details. Once you’ve signed up, you will receive an email confirmation and details on what to do next. It’s that’s simple. Each edition is only $5.50 and there are two editions per year. You can access the magazine online or download and print it out if you like.
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