ADSA Mental Health Booklet 2016 - Issue 01

M

ental Health

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Australian Dental Students Association

2016 Issue 01

BOOKLET

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Australian Dental Students Association

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Contents Partners Profiles / Page 3 Statistics / Page 4 R U OK?Day / Page 5 Mental Health Tips from Fellow Dental Students / Page 7 A Better Way to Practice... Wellness / Page 8 The Power of a Conversation - A personal story / Page 9 Body Talk and Mindfulness / Page 10 Help Contacts for ADSA Members / Page 14 More Mental Health Contacts / Page 15

This Mental Health Booklet is brought to you by: Cheryl Chen ADSA President

Nicole Contemplacion ADSA Vice President

Anna Jiang ADSA Publications Officer

Lina Zhou ADSA Design Officer

Amanda Lin ADSA Sponsorship Officer

Amy Fan ADSA Media & Community Officer

Page 2 | Contents

Partners Profiles

adsa

Australian Dental Students Association

A

special thank you to our partners for their invaluable support and contribution to ADSA’s initiatives in the promotion of mental health of dental students. Read their profiles below and find out what services they can provide for you.

The Australian Dental Association is the peak national body for dentists in Australia.

Although it is a voluntary professional association, the majority of dentists in Australia are ADA members. As a federated structure, each State has an ADA branch, as does the Northern Territory (ACT-based members are serviced by ADA NSW Branch).

Members join their State branch and as a consequence of that, become members of the federal ADA. The ADA branches deliver local and state-based membership services and supports, whereas ADA's federal office provides services and support in areas that have national application or impact the broader membership.

The ADA Strategic Plan sets out four main objectives that provide direction for the ADA's activities. They are to: • Increase leadership profile and professional influence • Provide relevant, accessible and valued member services • Develop and maintain professional and quality standards of practice • Promote community oral health Membership to the ADA is free for students and discounted in the first two years after graduation. For more information on the ADA and membership, go to www.ada.org.au. www.ada.org.au MIPS is a membership based organization, not just an insurer, so we’re interested in providing more than just indemnity cover to our members.

In addition the comprehensive indemnity cover that is part of membership, members also have access to 24-hour Clinico-Legal Support and accredited risk education.

Our unique blended pricing allows us to apply an equitable and more accurate approach to membership fees. This means members are not being asked to subsidize the mature risk exposure of other practitioners.

Membership is available to healthcare students, healthcare practitioners practising medicine, dentistry, oral health or nuclear medicine technology and international healthcare practitioners. mips.com.au | 1800 061 113 Work the World is the leading provider of dentistry placements in Africa, Asia and South America. For the majority of people in the developing world, oral and dental health is not a priority; and advanced pathologies, severe decay and poor oral hygiene are inevitable. Over the past 10 years, Work the World has fostered relationships with partner hospitals and clinics in each of our destinations offering safe, structured practical opportunities for students and young professionals. All placements include accommodation, meals and language lessons in the local Work the World house, fully supervised placement, and 24/7 support in country. www.worktheworld.com.au Partners Profiles | Page 3

Statistics

ADSA Mental Health Booklet

ISSUE 1 2016

The invisible issue of

Mental Health

Statistics collated by Anna Jiang Graphics by Lina Zhou

Statistics, Trends, and Risk factors at a glance

A lot of people have the perception that mental health only affects a small population, but when reality it’s more prevalent than we think. Below are some statistics which shows that mental health issue is all around us. Especially being busy student’s pressures from studies, work, or even family make us a high risk group.

According to Australian Bureau of statistics,1

UP TO

75%

1 in 4

Up to 75% of adult mental health conditions emerge by age 35.

young Australians has some form of mental health condition.2

This means young people in universities are a high risk group for experiencing mental ill health.

Young women were more likely than young men to have had any mental disorder. Young women were also around twice as likely as young men to have an Affective disorder or an Anxiety disorder.1

16% 10%

Substance Use disorders, involving harmful use of, or dependency on alcohol or other drugs, were more common in young men than in young women.1

While women are more likely to experience depression and anxiety, men are less likely to talk about it. This increases the risk of their depression or anxiety going unrecognized and untreated.3 Depression is a high risk factor for suicide.

2,500

Approx.

suicides in Australia each year3

112

Full-time students

took their lives in 20124

75% suicides are by men each year.

75%

An Average of

6

men take their lives

EVERY DAY

Even among young people with the most severe mental health problems, only 50% receive professional help. Parents reported that help was too expensive or they didn’t know where to get it, and that they thought they could manage on their own. - See more at: http://www.mindframe-media.info/for-mental-health-and-suicide-prevention

Australian Bureau of Statistics. http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/4840.0.55.001Main%20Features42007?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=4840.0.55.001&issue=2007&num=&view= 2 Australian Government. https://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/9DA8CA21306FE6EDCA257E2700016945/$File/child2.pdf 3 Beyondblue. https://www.beyondblue.org.au/who-does-it-affect/men 4 The Office for National Statistics. https://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2016/mar/02/student-mental-health-a-new-model-for-universities 1

Page 4 | The Invisible Issue of Mental Health - Statistics, Trends, and Risk Factors at a Glance

ISSUE 1 2016

R U OK?Day

ADSA Mental Health Booklet

The start of conversations Reported by Amy Fan

Report and Reflection

T

he ADSA held various successful R U OK?Day events this year across all of our represented universities. Students took a study break and enjoyed a free coffee while catching up with fellow students and asking each other “are you okay?” Some lucky students also had snacks and activities organised for them by their student societies to help offload stress and any worries or emotional burdens.

University of Newcastle

University of Adelaide

But R U OK?Day is more than just one day of the year where you get free coffee, free food and de-stress a little. It is a nationwide movement started by R U OK?, a suicide-prevention organisation which aims to encourage people to stay connected by having meaningful conversations that start with a simple question: “are you okay?”

In a time-consuming and mentally demanding degree such as dentistry or oral health, it is essential that we ask each other “are you okay?”; listen without judgement; encourage action; and check in regularly. While

University of Melbourne

it may be difficult to hear that someone is in pain or struggling, try and sit in with the discomfort and remind yourself that your support is critical.

So, “Are you okay?” It may seem simple at first, but these three words mean that we are all able to start a conversation with our family, friends and workmates - the people we spend the most time with - and make sure they are okay. For more on how to start a conversation, go to: www.ruok.org.au

Mental health is just as important as dental health, and the ADSA is proud to support the mental health and wellbeing of all dentistry and oral health students around Australia. Many thanks to our sponsors, the Australian Dental Association, MIPS and Work the World for their support of this initiative.

R U OK?Day| Page 5

R U OK?Day

ADSA Mental Health Booklet

ISSUE 1 2016

Q&A

Interviewee Brendan Maher Interviewer Amy Fan

A chat with Brendan Maher

Q

What does R U OK? mean to you?

R U OK? is an amazing organisation to be involved with because it’s such a simple message, about taking action, and is getting incredible engagement in the community. We know that the act of showing someone that you care, by having a simple conversation can help someone feel supported, connected and enhance their sense of belonging. It’s this sense of belonging that’s an incredibly important protective factor in suicide prevention.

Q

How did you get involved with the R U OK organisation?

I actually met R U OK?’s founder, the late Gavin Larkin at the launch event for the very first R U OK?Day at Parliament House in Canberra in 2009. At the time I was working for Lifeline Australia as part of their national leadership team. We worked with R U OK? in the early days to help make sure there was an appropriate pathway for help-givers and help-seekers – when conversations become too big for us to navigate. After seven years at Lifeline I took a break and was thinking about my next move when the opportunity to join the R U OK? team arose. That was three and a half years ago. We’ve always admired the energy and creativity that Gavin brought to bringing the R U OK? concept to life. Gavin remained a passionate champion of the fact Page 6 | R U OK?Day

a conversation could change a life, even as cancer ended his in 2011.

Q

What are your goals for R U OK Day in 2016?

R U OK?Day is best described as R U OK?’s Grand Final. It’s our national day of action but is both the end of a process and the beginning of a new one. My goals for this year are to continue to build awareness and participation on the day. But more importantly, we want to make sure that anyone who gets involved feels more empowered, more willing and more able to reach out to someone they’re worried about and ask the simplest of questions “are you okay?” We also want people to think about how they can keep the conversation going 365 days of the year.

Q

What do you believe are the most pressing mental health issues facing our young adults and specifically the young graduating workforce?

Suicide takes far too many young Australians. It’s the leading cause Australians under 44 years. More than 2,600 Australians suicide each year. That’s about 8 people every day. Suicide is the biggest killer of Men, who account for around 75 per cent of all suicide deaths. One suicide is one too many but it’s a very complex issue with many people working very tirelessly and passionately in prevention. I believe we need to

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ADSA Mental Health Booklet

talk more about it and provide more opportunities for young people to better identify signs and behaviours that someone might be at risk, and know how to intervene.

Q

If there was one thing you wanted the students to get out of R U OK Day, what would it be?

Be authentic. R U OK?Day shouldn’t just be about yellow t-shirts, balloons and cupcakes. This year we’re asking all Australians to reconnect with someone they’ve lost touch with, as the strength of our relationships can greatly enhance our capacity to get through the tough times. If you’re getting involved in R U OK?Day, maybe

Tips

think about sharing a time in your life that someone was there for you and it made a difference (no matter how big or small).

Focus on the positives, so people are inspired by your example. Share specific things they they said or did that helped. Avoid focussing on specific suicide references (especially location and method), so as not to reinforce thoughts of risky behaviour. Know that www.ruok.org.au is the number one place for you to go if you need tips on how to start and navigate a conversation.

Mental Health Tips From fellow dental students

David Joseph and the team at CSU

David Li, Griffith University

1

Always remember that you’re not the only one struggling and that any stress you feel is normal. It’s not about having no stress at all, it’s about managing it.

2

Just because everyone is having a hard time doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to. Your own struggles are independent of how other people are coping.

3

Talk about it. If you’re feeling under the pump, take a step back and talk with someone you are close to about it or even just write it down. When things are in your head, it’s one jumbled up mess. If you can get it out rationally, it’ll make it easier to begin understanding it.

4

Be able to accept that especially in dentistry, not everything is your fault. I see people stress out because their restorations failed even though the patient clearly didn’t take care of themselves. It happens to all of us at some point!

5

Seek professional help where necessary. They exist for a reason and are brilliant at what they do.

Dental school… they said it would be fun. For the majority it can be but undoubtedly there are times when immense pressures and responsibilities are placed on dental and oral health students and things spiral out of hand, anxiety levels raise and you find yourself in this dark ugly place they call depression. Some tips to help: • Exercise, play sport and meditate. Endorphin release has amazing power in the human body • Eat well and eat smart. Carb loading while studying is a BAD idea. Its easy to binge eat and drink when you are stressed. If you are actively aware of it, avoid it!

• Sleep well- if you are tired, sleep. The efficacy of studying when you are tired is a total waste of time and leads to more stress.

• Time management. Write a timetable AND stick to it! Ensure the timetable include a social aspect or down time to reduce burn out!

• Take time out. Not every minute of every day has to be consumed with oral health. Its ok to walk away from it and come back to it once you’ve cleared your mind.

• It’s OK to be stressed as long as you are prepared.

• Lastly, and probably most importantly, speak to someone. Chances are you are not the only person in that boat. Help is available. A lot of the time, being able to voice your concerns is half the problem.

Mental Health Tips from Fellow Dental Students | Page 7

MIPS

ADSA Mental Health Booklet

ISSUE 1 2016

A Better Way to Practice...

WELLNESS

W

ith Mental Health Week (9 - 15 October 2016) around the corner, we thought it would be timely to remind all our members about the importance of managing stress in their personal and professional lives. As we know stress is an integral part of the life of healthcare students and practitioners. Challenges that we can rise to meet are usually good for us while stress without resolution can be corrosive to our health. There are many ways of approaching the problem however ‘mindfulness’ is a widely practiced and practical approach to improve wellness and wellbeing.

Being mindful is about developing the ability to think more clearly, to recognize thoughts and feelings without the need to react to them, to manage your stress and to enhance your sense of wellbeing.

Mindfulness is simply the practice of paying attention to what is happening right now. Our minds are often easily distracted, with worrying about the future or ruminating about the past so that we fail to pay attention to the present moment. For those in healthcare professions, the most important benefits of a mindfulness approach are the ability to manage stress and to be more objective and constructive in self-criticism.

By Dr Justine Tuffley In association with MIPS

phone applications to download as well as some videos on YouTube that might help. Pick one that suits you.

Set an alarm in the morning and set aside just five to ten minutes to listen to a guided meditation. If you have trouble sleeping, try listening at night instead (preferably before bedtime).

Try to do one Mindful activity a week.

For example: Choose one meal to eat slowly, without distraction.

Sit down at a table, turn off your phone and concentrate on the meal.

Notice the smell, texture and taste of your food.

Pause between bites and savor the moment.

Some helpful contacts Lifeline

13 11 14

Headspace

1800 650 890

SANE

1800 187 263

MensLine

1300 78 99 78

Mindhealthconnect

1800 022 222

mindful.org

A short exercise you can do to practice mindfulness: 1. Focus on one thing – usually your breath.

2. Typically, after a short period, your mind will wander.

3. Notice it has wandered.

4. Gently shift your attention back to your breathing.

5. Repeat Develop regular practice Like anything else, practice makes perfect. The more you apply techniques such as regulated breathing and/ or some form of meditation, the better it becomes to ‘turn down the noise’. There are a number of smartPage 8 | A Better Way to Practice... Wellness

Justine obtained her Medical degree from the University of Melbourne.

She consults to corporate, healthcare and education groups on strategies to improve wellbeing and productivity, with a particular interest in workplace stress and mindfulness.

She has recently presented on this topic at a number of MIPS sponsored university events to raise awareness around mindfulness and assist our student members with learning to manage their stress.

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ADSA Mental Health Booklet

A Personal Story

I just didn’t anticipate what she had said next: “…I was going to jump in front of the train.”

The Power of a

Conversation

By Christine Chan

A Personal Story

I

’ve been to funerals, I’ve experienced close family friends passing in an accident, I’ve heard about suicide on the news, but my first significant experience regarding suicide wasn’t until early this year. Having traveled along the Sydney train line in my past uni days, I can say most people would have experienced a delay due to a suicide on the tracks, at least once. You’re shaken, shocked and traumatized for a few days, but the impact of the incident disappears after a couple of weeks as your daily routine takes over and eventually you forget.

This year, my family decided to travel overseas for our first holiday in 10 years. About 4 days before I was due to fly to back to Australia, I received a call on via Facebook messenger from my best friend in Sydney. I guess she tried my mobile number and forgot I was overseas.

I picked up her call and there was silence, and then, sobbing. For a while, I just asked her if she was okay and where she was. ”I’m at the train station”. This wasn’t unusual because she usually commutes down to Sydney for uni, but at that point I’d gathered something had gone wrong, I just didn’t anticipate what she had said next: “…I was going to jump in front of the train.”

moment, followed by an overwhelming mix of emotions, mostly fear, that someone so close to me nearly chose to not exist. And like most suicides, it was so sudden.

She’s called me a few times since, and I check in on her every few weeks. It doesn’t always turn into a long conversation, just a few exchanges to see how she’s going.

Sometimes we’ll talk about what’s stressing us at the time, knowing we’re not there to provide the solutions, but rather become an outlet for each other.

I often go back and think about what I could have done to prevent that phone call from happening. If I’d caught up with her before I went overseas and asked her how she was going, would that have changed anything?

The fact is, it may not. But for some, it provides an opportunity for them to recognize and say “no, I’m not okay”. It is from that point on that we can give our support and listen, or suggest services that are available.

RUOK? Day is over, but it is still very relevant. We’re all going through the daily stresses of dental school but sometimes it can become a little much. For those that are finding it a bit too much, I encourage you to find someone to talk to – a friend/colleague/mentor – because we shouldn’t have to suffer in silence. For everyone else, find a moment to take the opportunity to ask someone you know, “are you okay?”. You never know, it could potentially be a life-saving conversation.

My heart still stops every time I replay her voice in that The Power of a Conversation | Page 9

ADA

ADSA Mental Health Booklet

ISSUE 1 2016

Body talk and Research has long proved that being a dental practitioner is one of the most stressful of all professions, both mentally and physically.

But a range of important health initiatives for both the body and the mind could help change the future wellbeing of all dentists. However, this demands some serious commitment along the way.

By: John Burfitt

REPRINTED FROM ADA NEWS BULLETIN | JULY 2016

Page 10 | Body Talk and Mindfulness

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ADSA Mental Health Booklet

ADA

s s e n l u f d n i M As anyone who has been in the field for a long time will acknowledge, life in dentistry can come at a cost. There are the years of studies, then juggling multiple jobs or the investment of setting up and maintaining a practice, and then the long-term venture of operating a business that meets the demand of the marketplace.

But there is another cost of working in dentistry that is much more personal in nature, and that strikes at both the mental health and physical wellbeing of practitioners.

Dentistry has long been recognised as one of the more at risks roles of all medical practitioners. It has the highest rate of suicide of all professions, a statistic that it, sadly, maintains to this day.

But high rates of mental health issues are an area of wellbeing concern. Another is the physical price of body posture and structure, where some dentists have found they are having to consider early retirement as their bodies have literally worn out from a career of completing their back-breaking work.

New approaches to the wellbeing of people working in dentistry are now being explored, as methods of a comprehensive and more holistic approach to general health are being encouraged.

THe CHanging of Ways Dr Anikó Ball is one dentist who was forced to change her way of working. Only a decade ago, Melbourne-practitioner Aniko, then in her early 50s, was in such agony from a range of physical ailments that she was considering early retirement.

Throughout her dental career, Anikó had suffered from neck, shoulder, back and arm pain and general discomfort. In the quest to deal with the issues, she explored a range of treatment modalities in traditional

and complementary medicine, none of which provided any long-term relief.

When Anikó was eventually unable to move due to the pain, she was told she required risky surgery and a future of pain management medication.

“I was such a hopeless case that I could not even tie up my shoelaces,” Dr Ball recalls.

“When I then had days where I could not even stand, I thought I would have to retire.

“But I also discovered I was not the only dentist in this situation. So many others were telling me they were, after a lifetime as a dentist, dealing with the same conditions.”

Anikó was suffering from an occupational musculoskeletal disorder, the result of a lifetime of bending, twisting and straining while working on patients in the dental surgery.

These days, retirement is about the last thing on Anikó Ball’s mind. The dramatic change came about once she discovered the Alexander Technique, a practise to change postural and movement habits to help create the best possible way of using your body.

THe aLexanDeR TeCHniqUe Anikó completed advanced study at the Melbourne Alexander School, and now teaches the Alexander principles to dentists to address occupational musculoskeletal disorders through her teaching company, Optimum Dental Posture.

“What I learned was changing habitual movement and posture patterns, and just like a car, we have a particular design we need to work with,” Dr Ball says.

“Our body has a bio-mechanical design that we never learn and as dentist, we need to move in places where we don’t have joints or we use joints for movement that it’s not designed for. Basically, as dentists we drive our bodies in the wrong gear in order to do our job.

“We carry out a very complex, highly-skilled job on a moving target – another human being. And we hold unusual postures for long periods in a small space. It really is a melting pot of complexities that can lead to so many issues unless it is addressed, and done so early on.”

Through her workshops, Anikó covers topics such as the choice of ergonomic chairs, postural changes within the surgery, methodology of movement, mindfulness and a range of relaxation techniques – for both the practitioner and the patient.

“The first thing I say to dentists is, ‘you are the most important instrument you have to work with’, ” Dr Ball says. “For too long, we were told just to get in and get the job done, and twist ourselves into a pretzel if need be. With that approach has come a wide range of bad habits that need to be addressed if any of us are going to have longevity in the role without doing more harm to our structure.

oPTiMUM DenTaL PosTURe Among the many postural issues explored on Dr Anikó Ball’s website – www.optimumdentalposture.com – is the importance of ergonomics. How the dental operator sits on a stool and bends over the chair is just as important as the stool and chair design. Likewise, the way instruments are held is as important as the shape and weight of the instrument.

REPRINTED FROM ADA NEWS BULLETIN | JULY 2016

Body Talk and Mindfulness | Page 11

ADA

ADSA Mental Health Booklet

“Before even thinking about that complex job in the mouth, stop and think about how you are going to use you – how you will bend, how you will sit, what position do you need to be in to complete the task, how will you reach to grab hold of that instrument? All of this is about paying attention and it takes practise and a lot of repetition to become mindful. And then some more practise as well until it becomes the way you function.”

THe ‘siTTing Disease’ It was the American College of Physicians Annals of Internal Medicine that last year issued a study about the health hazards of sitting too much, and what has become known as, ‘Sitting Disease’. According to the report, more than half of the average person’s waking hours are spent sitting: either in their work chair, at a desk or watching television.

Considering the amount of time dentists spend sitting as they consult with patients, it is a condition that most are also in danger of.

“It’s a matter of standing up and moving – it really is that simple, but it is so important,” Dr Ball says. “Stand up, even to adjust a light and then sit down again.

Move to the desk to check a file. Go out to the bathroom, or check something at the front desk. Just move and take a moment out from sitting. This is all a matter of taking care of yourself, but it is so important for taking care of your body.”

THe BoDy BUsiness Exercise Physiologist, Chris Tzar has been in the business of taking care of bodies for years. He is currently the director of the Lifestyle Clinic in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of NSW, a facility that specialises in rehabilitating people with injuries to incorporate some kind of fitness regime.

REPRINTED FROM ADA NEWS BULLETIN | JULY 2016

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Chris says for anyone in dentistry, integrating some kind of a fitness routine into their weekly schedule is not just a good idea, but actually an essential. It is an approach, he adds, that was explored in the 2014 report, Musculoskeletal Disorders in Dentistry – A Review, by Amandeep Chopra of India’s Swami Devi Dyal Hospital and Dental College.

“What you are doing as a dentist, with all that sitting, twisting, and bending, not just in the lumbar spine but also in the cervical spine around the neck, is where a lot of orthopedic issues arise,” Mr Tzar says.

“What is important here is to have this managed from a preventive health approach. The evidence is clear that undertaking an exercise regime of some kind is going to be beneficial in reducing the risk of more serious orthopaedic issues.

“Exercise therapy has been shown to be effective as both primary prevention, to reduce the risk of injury or disability, and of secondary prevention, where you have an established injury and want to manage its symptoms. To get the best outcome of all, you need an adoption of some kind of physical activity.”

DeveLoPing a RoUTine An aerobic exercise routine would best achieve the kinds of flexibility and strengthening outcomes to offer the balance to the workplace stress and strains that a dentist’s body undergoes.

“Walking, swimming, jogging, cycling and rowing are all cardiovascular in nature and would be of enormous benefit to a dentist in terms of strengthening their postural muscles,” Mr Tzar explains.

“Now, this does not necessarily mean signing up for a long-term membership down at the gym. What we do know about workplace health is that the most preferred exercise option is a home-based program where it is often most convenient.”

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ADA

a HeaDsUP on MenTaL HeaLTH Heads Up is an online initiative of beyondblue, providing free information and tools to help individuals manage workplace mental health issues. Among the range of topics covered includes creating a mentally healthy workplace, taking care of yourself and how to support colleagues. www.headsup.org.au

He suggests a program that involves a regular walk of at least 30 minutes, in conjunction with sets of strengthening exercises like push-up, sit-ups, dips and sets of callisthenic exercises using an exercise band for resistance.

“Adopting a program is important, but it has to be one that is feasible to do after a long day in a practice, and the person is going make a commitment to doing as they enjoy it,” Mr Tzar explains.

“It has to be something that can easily become part of the routine. Physical activity interventions are one of the largest effectors of improvements in a person’s health status, and needs to be seen as an integral component of a dentist’s lifestyle.”

in THe MooD An exercise routine is not just important for physical well-being. It is also imperative for mental health as well. The evidence is overwhelming that if you exercise regularly, it can reduce stress levels and other mental health symptoms like depression and anxiety.

Regular exercise also has a direct impact on mood as it releases chemicals like endorphins and serotonin that improve general attitude.

And at the end of the day, exercise also helps improve sleeping patterns.

Which is why exercise can play such a key role in the management of any mental health issues. In 2012, the University of Nebraska Medical Center issued the study Suicide Rate in the Dental Profession: Fact or Myth and Coping Strategies and concluded the, “Stressors in dentistry can include managing a solo practice, missed appointments, patient dissatisfaction with treatment, insurance problems, encroachment and regulations of governmental agencies and the lack of quiet time such as not having breaks from one’s work.”

Dr Anikó Ball adds one more – constant rejection. “All day long, we have people coming in that say, ‘I hate coming to the dentist and I would rather be anywhere other than here and I am really scared of you’. All of us deal with this on a daily basis!” she says.

“When patients are frightened and anxious, it is not personal, but it is coming at you personally and you need to be trained to know how to deal with that.”

THe signs anD syMPToMs Having a basic working knowledge of the signs and symptoms of mental health issues – in one’s self as well as others – is so vital, explains Nick Arvanitis, Head of Workplace Research & Resources for beyondblue, “If you notice a change in general behaviour or a shift in mood in another of your team, then it becomes about knowing how to have a conversation to check in with them,” Mr Arvanitis says.

“It is also about knowing what services are readily available, and that might be a good local GP or even the beyondblue line. It is about being armed with basic information and knowing what resources are there to call on, rather than letting people struggle – especially if that person is yourself.”

One of the best ways to maintain an even sense of being is by practising regular stress management techniques, like mindfulness and breathing exercises.

“This is so easily done and can have such an impact in calming your system down and also might provide an instant

distraction from a stressful interaction you have had to cope with,” Mr Arvanitis explains.

“It becomes a matter of understanding there are some things about the job that you can’t change, but knowing what you can easily do to help you manage those situations so you can continue to keep them in check.”

Another important strategy is regular social interaction with a support network of friends, family and trusted people.

“That is so invaluable, just to have people you know you can debrief with and talk through whatever is going on in your life.

Everyone needs that, no matter what role you are doing.

“Anyone coping with high level stress, and who notices they are not doing so well, always needs to remember this – seek assistance early. Our research clearly shows that the earlier you act upon it, the sooner you overcome it.”

aDa anD MenTaL HeaLTH sUPPoRT The ADA offers a range of support services and referrals to members with personal and professional issues. Contact the ADA HR advisory service on 1300 232 462 for workplace related issues, or your local ADA branch for a confidential referral or more information on where support is available.

Reprinted with the permission of the Australian Dental Association.

REPRINTED FROM ADA NEWS BULLETIN | JULY 2016

Body Talk and Mindfulness | Page 13

ADA

ADSA Mental Health Booklet

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HELP

Contacts

Support options for ADA members If you require immediate support contact lifeline on 13 11 14 for 24/7 crisis support

Victorian and Tasmanian members Face to face/online appointment contact the ADAVS. ADATas Member Assistance Program Phone call 1300 361 008 For further information, visit the Optum (MAP) website: https://www.liveandworkwell.com/public/

New South Wales members Contact Doctor’s Health Advisory Service NSW 02 94376552 for 24 hour assistance

Western Australia members Contact the CEO on 08 92115600 Alternatively on Optum 1800021448

South Australian members Page 14 | Help Contacts for ADA Members

Face to face/ phone support/ online contact ADASA Member assist program on 0419861530 visit their website at www.adasa.asn.au

Queensland members Contact ADA CEI on 0732529866

Northern Territory members ADA NT branch on 08 8982 0407

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ADSA Mental Health Booklet

Contacts

Some more

Mental Health Contacts

Support is not far away. Help yourself. Help others. Let others help you.

Providers of Crisis Support Service

Young and Well CRC

Addiction Support

beyondblue

Research organisation with online features including Online Wellbeing Centre and e-Mental Health Clinic.

T: (03) 9937 1333 E: info@yawcrc.org.au youngandwellcrc.org.au

Drug and Alcohol Counselling Online

Information on depression, anxiety and how to help yourself or a friend.

T: 1300 22 4636 (available 24/7) E: infoline@beyondblue.org.au beyondblue.org.au or youthbeyondblue.com

Lifeline Crisis support with a key focus on suicide prevention in Australia.

T: 13 11 14 (available 24/7) lifeline.org.au

Suicide Call Back Service Free nationwide telephone and online counselling for anyone aected by suicide, or suicidal thoughts.

T: 1300 659 467 (available 24/7) suicidecallbackservice.org.au

MensLine Australia A phone, online support and referral service for men with family, relationship and wellbeing concerns.

T: 1300 78 99 78 E: talkitover@mensline.org.au mensline.org.au

The National Youth Mental Health Foundation, aimed at providing free help to young people (aged 12 – 25) who are going through a tough time.

T: 1800 650 890 headspace.org.au

eheadspace A condential, secure space where young people can chat, email or call a youth mental health professional. eheadspace.org.au

Reachout.com Online youth mental health service with information, stories and forums to help youth cope through tough times. au.reachout.com

Gambling Help Online Offering counselling, information and support online (email and live chat) and by phone.

T: 1800 858 858 gamblinghelponline.org.au

Financial Support

MindSpot Clinic Online and telephone clinic providing assessment and treatment for adults with anxiety or depression.

T: 1800 614 434 mindspot.org.au

The Butterfly Foundation Headspace

Free online counselling.

T: 1800 888 236 (available 24/7) counsellingonline.org.au

Supporting adults with eating disorders and negative body image issues.

T: 1800 ED HOPE (1800 33 4673, available 8am – 9pm weekdays) thebutterflyfoundation.org.au

1800RESPECT National sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service.

T: 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732, available 24/7) 1800respect.org.au

Griefline Dedicated grief helpline service providing counselling and support following bereavement, hardship or loss.

T: 1300 854 745 Griefline.org.au

AUSTRALIA DPM Student Hub Specialist financial advisors to the medical industry. Provides service specifically for medical students, including fact sheets, free student tax returns & graduate packages.

T: (03) 9621 7000 dpmfs.com.au

Counselling training to Help Others

MHFA An evidence-based online course teaching how to identify and help people with mental health issues.

E: mhfa@mhfa.com.au mhfa.com.au

Black Dog Institute A research and community-oriented institute with information on diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mood disorders.

T: (02) 9382 4530 E: blackdog@blackdog.org.au blackdoginstitute.org.au Training: http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/healthprofessionals/

Mental Health Contacts | Page 15

adsa

Australian Dental Students Association

www.adsa.org.au twitter.com/ADSAMedia facebook.com/AusDSA instagram.com/ADSMedia