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Budget includes millions for Indigenous mental health services, as PM warns of ‘hurtful’ Voice debate

by www.abc.net.au Leave a Comment

The federal government will spend more than $10 million on boosting mental health support for First Nations people during the Voice campaign.

Key points:

  • The PM says the Voice campaign is having a “difficult impact” on First Nations people
  • “Some of the things that are being said in this debate are hurtful,” he said
  • $10 million will be spent on delivering Yes and No information pamphlets to every Australian household

The funding is part of a $364 million package to deliver the referendum on whether to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the constitution through a Voice to Parliament.

Most of the money is for the Australian Electoral Commission to facilitate the referendum process, including $10 million to deliver Yes and No information pamphlets to every Australian household.

The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation will receive $10 million to support the mental health of First Nations people during the campaign, which is expected to run between October and December.

Another $500,000 will be given to the Australian National University’s Mayi Kuwayu research team to monitor the wellbeing of communities during this time.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told ABC News Breakfast the federal government was aware of the “difficult impact” the campaign is having on Indigenous Australians.

“Some of the things that are being said in this debate are hurtful,” he said.

“We’re very conscious of the pressure which Indigenous Australians will be under.

“We know that when the postal ballot was held on marriage equality, then people in that community felt under pressure as well, and we have been conscious about that.”

The National Indigenous Australian Agency (NIAA) and the Museum of Australian Democracy will be given $12 million to create politically neutral educational materials about how to participate in the referendum.

Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney has said broad education around Australia’s constitution is needed, partly because many people will not be familiar with the referendum process.

“For many Australians this will be the first referendum they’ve ever participated in, and it’s crucial they have the facts to make an informed decision,” Ms Burney said.

Another $5 million has been allocated to the NIAA for consultation, policy and delivery in the lead-up to the referendum.

Posted , updated

Mental health toll on NHS workers in lockdown revealed as first figures show staff absence rose by 165,000 days

by www.telegraph.co.uk Leave a Comment

The NHS lost a further 165,000 working days during the height of the pandemic due to mental health-related staff absences, first figures show, as staff struggled to cope with unprecedented pressure.

NHS employees have reported 29 per cent more absences from work due to poor mental health compared to the UK average between April and June, data from absence management system FirstCare has found, and there has been an overall increase of 22 per cent in mental health absences in the NHS since this time last year.

The rise equates to an increase of around 165,000 working days during the three month period – the equivalent of a full year’s work for 723 full-time employees.

It comes after data from NHS England released earlier this month found that the NHS lost 3.5 million days of work due to mental health-related sickness from March 2019 to February 2020, a significant increase from previous years and suggesting a growing trend which predates the pandemic.

Speaking to The Telegraph , doctor and nursing unions have warned that current levels of pandemic-related stress are unsustainable for staff amid increasing anxiety over a second wave.

“There is a level of exhaustion, both physically and mentally,” said Mike Adams, England director of the Royal College of Nursing. “I know lots of nurses who are exhausted, and they were in a stressful environment anyway, but now many have been redeployed to areas they’ve never worked in before, they’re wearing full PPE, and lots have seen more death than is ever reasonable on any one person.”

There is also “relentless” anxiety among staff over bringing the virus home to vulnerable family members or catching it themselves, Adams said.

“That personal level of fear is not sustainable. If nurses and other healthcare workers were faced with the same situation again, their personal resilience is not going to be as strong next time around. There is a real risk the tanks will not have refilled.

“Personally I have seen friends who are nurses really struggling with this who are really experienced and resilient,” he added. “They have been in bits at times just with being overwhelmed by the situation .”

The pressure has also been piling on doctors, with many working extra shifts and having scheduled leave cancelled.

“I know for many of my junior doctor colleagues, the initial adrenaline that accompanied the first surge of the pandemic has well and truly worn off,” said Dr Sarah Hallett, chair of BMA Junior Doctors. “Most are running on empty and experiencing symptoms of burn out.

“They have had leave cancelled, and their training has been put on hold. Many have worked more intense rotas. If this goes on for much longer without proper respite, I have real concerns about the impact on staff across the NHS.”

Beyond the pandemic, unions have also pointed towards staff shortages and pay conditions as a major driver behind the increase in mental health sickness.

“It has absolutely coincided with more pressure on health services and more pressure on nursing staff, who have been asked to deliver a really high standard of care with less resources and more patients,” said Adams.

“You can’t underestimate the pressure of feeling like you can’t care for people properly. That is the worst feeling – when you don’t have the time to do what you need for someone. That has played into it.”

Dr David Wrigley, deputy chair of the British Medical Association, echoed these claims.

“Even before Covid-19, NHS workers struggled to cope with acute staff shortages, long hours and real-terms decreases in income,” he told The Telegraph .

“Inevitably, the pandemic has exacerbated the effects of these entrenched problems while presenting additional pressures – not least the risks to personal safety and substantially increased working hours that many doctors have faced. Sadly many doctors have also died.”

“Doctors should never feel obliged to conceal mental health issues or to attend work when unwell. Doctors often feel guilty when off work due to illness and this has to change. To tackle the stigma that still remains, employers must build a more supportive culture for the workforce and normalise conversations about mental health .”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of our staff is a top priority, and this week we published the NHS People Plan to address new pandemic challenges and improve physical and mental support for staff.

“The NHS has increased its health and wellbeing support for staff and a range of services are available, including a mental health hotline, practical support, financial advice, and specialist bereavement and psychological support.

“We would urge anyone struggling to come forward and speak to a colleague, their occupational health team, or to call the helpline so that they can get the help they need.”

Rise in cases of health anxiety triggered by coronavirus, study finds

by www.telegraph.co.uk Leave a Comment

Coronavirus has triggered a rise in health anxiety, a new study has found, after lockdown and global uncertainty has significantly impacted mental health.

The increase was even more prevalent among the most vulnerable groups.

The research, by the University of Bath and published in the journal American Psychologist, is the first to examine people’s coping styles in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It drew on survey responses from more than 800 people recruited online who answered questions over a 10-day period from April 17 to 26 – when the UK was in full lockdown.

Previous studies have estimated that between 4 and 6 per cent of the general population have health anxiety, also known as hypochondria, a condition which causes people to worry so much about being or becoming ill that it can take over their life.

Almost 15 per cent of participants surveyed reached clinical levels of health anxiety – an increase of around one in 10 people on normal figures.

Participants who classed themselves as “vulnerable” according to Government categories reported twice the rates of health-related anxiety than the general population.

Reaching clinical levels means their health anxiety had become distressing and was likely to be causing preoccupation and disruption to normal activities.

The research concluded around one in three (37.5 per cent) reached clinical levels for at least one of three conditions measured, anxiety, depression and health anxiety – slightly higher than rates seen following previous pandemics.

A 2004 study following the SARS outbreak found 35 per cent of those recovering from the disease reported moderate to severe levels of anxiety and/or depression.

Dr Hannah Rettie, from the University of Bath’s Department of Psychology, said the pandemic has caused “global uncertainty”, people were unsure when they would see loved ones again and there was an increased threat to people’s health.

She added their research reveals how some individuals struggled to cope with these uncertainties – even more so than in normal times.

“These results have important implications as we move to help people psychologically distressed by these challenging times in the weeks, months and years ahead,” she said.

Dr Jo Daniels, also of the Department of Psychology at Bath, stressed that anxiety is a “normal response” to abnormal situations , such as a pandemic.

“Yet for many, as reflected in our findings, anxiety is reaching distressing levels and may continue despite easing of restrictions – it is essential we create service provision to meet this need, which is likely to be ongoing,” Dr Daniels said.

“Mom and dad, please don’t fight!” Psychologists warn against the mental impact of fights on kids – Times of India

by timesofindia.indiatimes.com Leave a Comment

"Mom and dad, please don't fight!" Psychologists warn against the mental impact of fights on kids

At a recent get together, we all ended up talking about how despite trying hard not to fight with our partners in front of the kids, certain situations escalate too quickly and turn into ugly fights in the presence of the kids. As an outcome, sometimes kids start crying, react or retreat in the situation. “They even start to worry if we will leave each other!”
Several studies have shown that parental conflicts disturb a child mentally. After all, parents are a child’s safe space. They feel safe, secure, nurtured in their presence. But this safe space gets shaken when there are heated conflicts and hostile environment at home. A child worries that it will break the intactness of his family and feels insecure and unsafe. But did you know, it also subconsciously shapes your child’s personality and outlook towards relationships?

Trauma of unhealthy parental conflicts on your child

Dr. Sameer Malhotra, Director and Head – Department of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket says, “One is meant to derive nurturance, guidance, safety and a sense of security and trust from the parents. Parents are role models for their children. A healthy family environment plays an important role in shaping the behavior and personality of children. Parents are like roots for their children. If the roots are disturbed, the very foundations of personality, relationships ( with self and others) and coping behaviors get disturbed. Unhealthy conflicts between parents, poor anger management, impatience, substance dependence, psychiatric disorders, ego clashes, heightened expressed emotions/ loud behavior and constant grudges/brooding/ blame game in parents can lead to significant problems in children.

“Sadly, parents also use children to hurt the other partner. In such difficult circumstances either children get to be used as tools by parent (s) or children turn manipulative and might further aggravate the rift between parents for their materialistic gains.”
A lot of times children tend to internalize this conflict. Dr Shelja Sen, Narrative & Family Therapist, Writer, CoFounder Children First explains, “When children grow up in a home with parental conflict there are chances that they are unable to find safety at home. Because they might be pulled to take sides, face the ire of the parent who feels they have betrayed them. At times the rage meant for the partner could get directed to the children. What children say very often is that putting up the pretense that everything is fine at home can be very exhausting. And then of course there is an inevitable comparison with other children whose families are nurturing and caring towards each other. All this can make children internalize the conflict as “it’s my fault”, “something is wrong with me” or “I am lesser than other children.” It can lead to isolation and negative identity conclusions.
Internalization could lead to anxiety disorders, phobias, submissive personality, low self esteem and avoidant behaviors, depression, body aches and pains, psychosomatic problems like irritable bowel, psoriasis. Externalising tendencies in children result in anger problems, hyperactivity, conduct and behavioural concerns, lying tendencies, abusive language, aggression, substance use disorders in them, adds Dr Sameer.

What should parents do?

While differences of opinions are normal in any relationship, how you deal with them is what defines the impact it will have on your surroundings. Dr Sameer shares that parents should try to resolve differences amicably with logic rather than emotional overtones/ blame/ exaggeration and bringing in multiple issues of the past complicating the matter. “ As parents you could still agree to disagree. Remember there are problems in every home, but it depends on how you choose to resolve them that influences the child’s mindset and ability to cope with difficult life situations in future. While discussing the topic use ‘we’ statements over ‘me’ , don’t use Abusive language and don’t be physically aggressive, let one person speak first, try to be open to carefully and empathically listen to the other and make attempts to clear miscommunications and misunderstandings either end, avoid negative quick judgements, avoid selectively abstracting the negatives and blowing them out of proportion, avoid passing sweeping statements and labeling, try to view holistically and in a balanced manner, try not to minimize the positives and avoid magnifying the negatives. ”
Most of the learning by the child is observational. Don’t hesitate in expressing your mistakes to your partner if you feel you have said or done something in a fit of anger. That would reflect that you value relationships over your ego. Don’t drag the issue long. Try to normalize the environment quickly.

This is the worst position to sleep in, according to a chiropractor

by www.newsweek.com Leave a Comment

There’s no doubt that our quality of sleep plays a big role in the quality of our lives. Sadly, the statistics around how well Americans are sleeping are less than favorable. Nearly 40 percent of adults report falling asleep during the day without meaning to, at least once a month, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. The NLHBI also found that an estimated 50 to 70 million Americans have chronic, or ongoing, sleep disorders .

The long-term impact of consistently poor sleep can be pretty severe. Disturbed or irregular sleep often leads to physical and mental health problems like heart disease or anxiety. While it can be difficult to navigate the quality or length of your rest once you fall asleep, it’s possible to control your sleeping position, which can have a significant impact on how well you sleep.

Chiropractor and counselor Dr. Sarah Jane, who is also the founder of Spinal Energetics, told Newsweek why our sleeping positions play such a crucial role in our sleep quality.

“Sleep plays a significant part in our healing capacity. When we close our eyes and sleep, our nervous systems in their entirety are then given the necessary permission to focus on areas that are not in homeostasis within our body, mind and even our consciousness,” Jane said.

What’s the Worst Position to Sleep In?

The Australian chiropractor was quick to criticize sleeping on the stomach. Jane said that this position can create unwanted tension patterns within the cervical spine that can be related to headaches, insomnia, neck pain, and irritability.

“When we lay on our stomach, we begin to compromise the positioning of our lower and upper spine, and in particular the neck, as we are required to turn our heads to one side,” Jane added.

“This can create bound tension patterns that can be related to feeling ‘wired but tired’, and an inability to cease mental chatter and perfectionist personality traits that can challenge the ability to switch off our thoughts. This position tends to be the least favorable among experts,” Jane said.

The Australian chiropractor added that stomach sleepers should consider sleeping on their side instead. The side sleeping position is deemed the most optimal among experts. It provides a minimized opportunity to compress the upper, middle and lower areas of the spine.

“It is the most beneficial way of finding comfort for the majority of individuals and their own anatomical structure,” Jane said.

However, she added that, in this sleeping position, the legs can become curved into simulating a fetal position. This can then create patterns of disruption that could be related to discomfort in the pelvis and coccyx. This can lead to the side sleeper possibly experiencing feelings of uneasiness or apprehension, and a fight or flight response sensation within our nervous system.

“To prevent this, I’d recommend placing a pillow between the knees. This then creates an opportunity for ideal spinal alignment,” Jane said.

Sleeping on your back is neither the most ideal nor the worst position to adopt, but it can be a common sleeping habit all the same. For Jane, the problem with sleeping on your back is that it can minimize the natural curvature in an individual’s spine, which can begin to straighten their lower back.

“By being on our backs, although we are laying in a neutral position, we could be minimizing the natural curvatures in our spine, and the lower back can begin to straighten as opposed to curving in an optimal lordotic [an abnormal inward curvature of the lumbar spine] way,” Jane added.

“As a result, we can experience physical lumbar discomfort in the lower area of the spine and back, gut health disruption, and possibly feeling unsupported and insecure in the external aspects of life,” she explained.

To remedy this, Jane said that back sleepers should place a pillow underneath their legs. This can restore the essential lordotic curvature of the lumbar spine, creating ease in the body.

London-based chartered physiotherapist Helen O’Leary agreed with Jane. She said that sleeping on your front can lead to people struggling with the range of movement in their necks. She added that the extension you get in your back from this position can make you feel very stiff after waking up, and in desperate need of a morning yoga session.

“You can have lots of adjuncts but, if you are a sleeper who moves around a lot, they will fly out. There are things that can help you when you are in pain in any position, like placing a pillow between your legs, being more upright, and using better-quality pillows,” O’Leary said.

“Having said all of that, getting sleep is the most important thing. So, if that means on the floor, on your stomach, side, front, back, I’m sort of all for it,” she added.

Psychiatrist and sleep specialist Chester Wu also spoke against stomach sleeping. The Houston-based Stanford University graduate told Newsweek : “Stomach sleeping puts strain on your neck, in order to breathe, you need to turn your head to one side, which can put a strain on the neck and spine, potentially causing pain and discomfort. This can cause or exacerbate lower back pain.

“That can then result in impaired breathing, because lying on your stomach can restrict your diaphragm’s movement, making deep breathing more difficult,” he added.

Wu said that, even for cosmetic reasons, stomach sleeping is a big no-no. It can lead to skin issues like acne and even early wrinkling, due to the face being in close contact with the pillow for extended periods of time.

Is there a health issue that’s worrying you? Let us know via [email protected]. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek .