This document provides an introduction to studying mental health. It discusses that nearly half of Australians will experience a mental disorder in their lifetime. It emphasizes studying the topic scientifically and not diagnosing oneself or others. It defines key concepts like normality, mental health, mental illness and psychological dysfunction. Normality is explained using six approaches: socio-cultural, functional, statistical, medical, situational and historical. Mental health involves well-being and coping skills, while mental illness causes distress and dysfunction. The document provides learning activities to further explain these concepts.

1. Unit 4: Area of Study 2
Mental Health

2. Before we begin....
There are 16 million Australians aged between 16 and 85 years of age. Of these,
almost half (45%) have had some sort of mental disorder at some point in their lives.
It is very important that we spend the next few weeks studying his topic from a
scientific point of view. Try not to self-diagnose, or to diagnose those around you.
If something we cover DOES hit a nerve, please remember to talk it through with
someone. Speak to your teacher , a support person in senior school - but please speak to
someone!
Self disclosure - the classroom environment is not a good setting to tell personal
stories.
Be aware of what you are saying and the impact it may have on others around you.

3. Why??
Compassion - a deep awareness of and sympathy for
another’s suffering
Empathy - the capacity to recognise and, to some
extent share feelings that are being experienced by
another

4. Lesson 1: Normality
Objectives:
Using examples explain the concepts of
normality including: Statistical, Medical,
Situational, Historical, Functional,
Sociocultural
Differentiation of mental health from mental
illness

5. Defining Normality
6 Approaches:
Socio-Cultural, Functional,
Statistical, Medical,
Situational & Historical

6. Socio-Cultural
Thoughts, feelings and behaviour that are appropriate
in a particular society or culture are considered
normal, those outside are considered abnormal
E.G. In some cultures loud crying and
wailing at a funeral of a stranger is
expected, whereas in others it would be seen
as abnormal

7. Functional
Thoughts, feelings and behaviours are considered
normal IF the individual can function
independently in society

8. Historical
What is considered normal or abnormal in a society
depends on the era/period of time when the judgement
is made.
E.G. School students used to get hit
on the knuckles with a cain
when they misbehaved, now this
would be considered abnormal
or wrong!

9. Situational
Thoughts, feelings behaviours might be considered
normal in one situation but not another.
E.G. Wearing your pyjamas
to school is abnormal,but wearing them
at home is not.

10. Medical
Abnormal thoughts, feelings or behaviour are viewed
as having an underlying biological cause and can
usually be treated with medication.
E.G. Certain abnormal behaviours
can lead to the diagnosis of
Schizophrenia which has a
neurochemical basis and can
be treated with medication.

11. Statistical
If a large majority of people (the statistical average)
thinks feels or behaves in a certain way, this is
considered normal.
E.G. To laugh when told a joke -
normal and most people do this,
to laugh at a funeral -
abnormal, a small minority
do this (the statistical extremity)

12. Tackling a man to the ground
Normal Abnormal
Which approach to normality is being used here?

13. Buddist monk performing an exorcism Uni girls having a break between lectures
Normal Abnormal
Which Approach??

14. On their own, none of these approaches is entirely
satisfactory. But they have worked together to contribute to
an understanding of normality and abnormality
So what is normal?
Normality ~ A pattern
of thoughts, feelings or
behaviour that conforms
to a usual, typical or
expected standard within
a cultural context
Abnormality ~ A
pattern of thoughts,
feelings or behaviour
that is deviant,
distressing or
dysfunctional

15. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) (1998)
Mental Health is a state of emotional and social well-being in which
individuals realise their own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses
of life, can work productively and can contribute to their community.
Mental Health
There are degrees of mental health.
We may experience mental health
problems when we have extra stress in
our lives.
E.g.* Family situation changes
*We break up with a partner
*Lose money
*Exams

16. Mental Illness
~ a psychological dysfunction experienced by an individual and
usually involves distress, impairment in the ability to cope with
everyday life, and thoughts, feelings and /or behaviour that are not
typical of the person or appropriate in their culture
The nature and severity of a mental illness may vary from person to
person.
* Many only have one short-lived episode and fully recover
* Others may have a lifetime battle with mental illness
With psychological support and (often) medication, the majority of
people living with a mental illness can lead full, active and successful
lives

17. Mental health professionals use the term MENTAL
HEALTH PROBLEM when the difficulties experienced
by a person are mild, temporary and able to be treated
in a relatively short time
The term MENTAL ILLNESS is more likely to be
used when the difficulties are more serious, are likely
to persist for a long time and requires a longer term
treatment plan

19. Psychological Dysfunction
~ a breakdown in cognitive, emotional and/or behavioural
‘functioning’ thereby interfering with an individual’s
ability to adjust to the challenges of everyday life.
Mental illness primarily involves our mind, but can affect
our physical health just as out physical well-being can
affect our mental health

20. Essential Learning Activities
Activity 1:
Construct a concept map differentiating between
mental health, mental health problem, mental
illness, and psychological dysfunction
Activity 2:
Create a digital resource that explains one of the
approaches to defining normality. Below under
'podcasts' are examples from students last year.
Use these as a standard to guide your resource.
Where do these fall short? Make a better one!!!