XGBCYP5212 Mental Health Today - Portfolio Assignment Sample

Introduction - Exploring Mental Health Trends and Psychological Growth

Gibbs model

To transform an experience into learning is the goal of reflection especially when used in combination with the Gibbs model. It enables a more thorough understanding of the theoretical and practical components of what happened, paving the way for improved future practises. People must reflect on their experiences since it enables them to modify and enhance their knowledge and abilities in light of their practical encounters. rather than just having students memorise processes or facts, it encourages a higher level of learning that develops critical thinking and self-awareness.

A methodical way to learn from events is the Gibbs Reflective Cycle. There are six steps to it: description, which gives a true account of the incident; Emotions, to investigate affective reactions; Appraisal, to weigh advantages and disadvantages; Analysis, to comprehend the reasons behind events; Lessons learned are summarised in the conclusion, and future improvements are proposed in the action plan.

It has covered several important subjects in the "Mental Health Today" module that are essential to comprehending and enhancing mental health. It started with positive psychology, emphasising the development of hope, resilience, and mindfulness as means of improving wellbeing. After that, it has been examining how society views mental health and the legal systems that surround it in Perceptions of Mental Illness and Law. An examination of data and trends related to mental health issues was then conducted, offering insight into the patterns and statistics that exist today. To understand how mental health requirements and obstacles change from childhood to old age, we lastly looked at Mental Health Across the Life Course. My learning has benefited greatly from reflecting on these subjects since it has given me a more thorough understanding of mental health, which will improve and guide my work as a practitioner and enable me to use these ideas and insights in a knowledgeable, compassionate, and useful way.

Main Body

Positive psychology

Description

I have gained a more sophisticated grasp of positive psychology's concept, range of scales, and models after giving my learning experience some thought. Fundamentally, positive psychology is the scientific study of what makes life most worthwhile, emphasising positive characteristics such as thriving, happiness, and well-being. Seligman's PERMA Model struck a deep chord with me among the models I explored because of its all-encompassing methodology. The five components of well-being that the PERMA Model emphasises are positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment (Goh et al., 2021). I was drawn to this model because it provides a concrete framework for comprehending and improving well-being, while also capturing a wide range of human experience.

Feelings

I have mostly favourable views about positive psychology and find it fascinating because it places more of an emphasis on improving well-being than just treating sickness. This area of study provides a novel viewpoint on mental health by emphasising potential and strengths. Positive psychology is concerned with meaning and fulfilment that lasts, not simply fleeting happiness. Known as the father of positive psychology, Martin Seligman has described many ideas for leading a happy life.

Evaluation

In evaluating Positive Psychology, I have concluded that interventions should be implemented at all levels of influence, including in educational settings, within families, and across communities. It is observed that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to mental health, these interventions must be customised to meet the needs of each individual. These include the Meaningful Life, which is about discovering meaning, the Good Life, which is about utilising personal strengths and deep participation, and the Pleasant Life, which is comparable to the Hollywood portrayal of happiness. Positive psychology researchers have studied a variety of experiences and actions that make up various types of positive living. This includes learning about particular happy emotions, getting into "flow" states, and discovering your life's meaning or purpose.

Conclusion

However, I have concluded that positive psychology has its advantages and disadvantages just like any other subject. Although numerous programmes have encouraging outcomes, there are instances where they could not be as successful or might not have enough empirical backing. Learning about Positive Psychology will change the way I approach mental health in my professional practice. It will direct my attention to helping clients develop resilience and positive traits in addition to reducing psychological issues. This all-encompassing viewpoint will enhance my work and enable me to help clients live more balanced and satisfying lives.

Resilience, hope and Mindfulness

Three fundamental ideas in psychology are resilience, hope, and mindfulness. Although they are different from one another, they work together to promote mental health (Organization, 2022). Resilience is the ability to bounce back from hardship and help people cope and overcome obstacles in high-stress situations such as the healthcare industry or severe personal situations. Hope is particularly helpful in contexts including schooling and career development, where it fosters perseverance and goal achievement (Bryce et al., 2019). Hope is characterised by goal-oriented motivation and planning.

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Being completely present and involved in the moment without passing judgment is a practice known as mindfulness, and it has numerous advantages in both personal and professional contexts. It reduces tension, sharpens attention and strengthens emotional control. When combined, these ideas offer a complete toolset for improving mental health, with each focusing on a distinct facet of wellbeing: hope inspires people to pursue their future ambitions, resilience helps them deal with obstacles, and mindfulness helps them stay in the moment and improves their quality of life overall.

Perceptions of mental illness and legislation

Description of Learning

My educational experience brought to light the sharp contrast between narrow-minded, traditional beliefs like stigmas associated with mental illness and broad-minded, progressive viewpoints. It became clear that, despite persistent misconceptions, public views towards mental illness had steadily evolved towards understanding and acceptance. I also discovered that laws about mental health care are dynamic, highlighting the necessity of updating them to reflect advances in our understanding of mental health. The principles outlined in recent mental health legislation, particularly in New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, and to a lesser extent in Queensland and South Australia, primarily acknowledge patient rights, including access to information, privacy, religious freedom, and opportunities for education and recreation. These ideas do not, however, confer any rights that are enforceable by law. Patients must now be notified of their rights, according to most regions' laws. NSW is unique in that it is the only area that mandates regular clothing wear for people facing magistrate reviews for orders about involuntary detention.

Feelings

The results of the study startled me because they showed that public opinions of mental illness have both improved and remained problematic (Li et al., 2020). It was alarming to learn about mental health examinations in emergency scenarios, especially when law enforcement is involved. However, I was encouraged by the suggestions made for upcoming legislation reforms that would try to create more welcoming and encouraging environments.

Evaluation

Utilising information from white papers and other important documents, I evaluated my learning by critiquing the state of mental health legislation at the moment. It became evident to me how advocacy campaigns and personal narratives can affect public opinion and shape legislation. My perspective has been expanded by this evaluation, which took into account the various points of view held by patients, policymakers and mental health professionals.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that even though there has been progress in lowering stigma and elevating public perceptions of mental illness, much work has to be done. Legislation unquestionably plays a crucial influence in determining how society supports and treats mental health issues. I came to understand that stigma has a significant and frequently negative effect on those who are dealing with mental health disorders, underscoring the constant need to question and alter these beliefs.

In Practice

This educational experience has had a significant impact on how I practise mental health. It has made me more conscious of the ways that legislative frameworks and societal attitudes affect mental health services. I am more motivated to fight stigma via education, support improved mental health policy, and approach my work with more knowledge and sensitivity. The information I've acquired also helps me to provide clients with holistic care, taking into account not just clinical factors but also larger social and legal settings.

Mental Health Trends and Data and Mental health across the Life Course

Description

While looking at Mental Health Trends and Data, I came across some fresh and interesting information in addition to those that I was already aware of especially the finer details that are available through tools like the Fingertips tool. It was fascinating to learn about the various types and prevalence of mental health problems among various life stages and genders. An example of a complex understanding of mental health dynamics is the higher occurrence of specific mental health issues in one gender over the other, and how these trends change throughout a person's life (Psycnet, 2022). This approach is predicated on the knowledge that a person's health trajectory is frequently predetermined early in childhood, as opposed to viewing health as the normal state until illness strikes. This knowledge enables early detection and treatment of non-communicable diseases, such as mental disorders, since early application of these interventions might be especially beneficial.

Feelings

Investigating this subject made me feel a variety of emotions. Seeing the differences in mental health disorders between genders was both illuminating and unsettling. The emotional impact was profound, particularly in light of how these trends influence actual lives and mirror larger societal challenges (Wahl-Jorgensen, 2019). The information presented a clear picture of the state of mental health and made it seem urgent to address these inequalities. A unique strategy for illness prevention and health promotion is provided by the integration of a life course viewpoint in nature and health research. This viewpoint goes beyond considering health to be merely the absence of illness. It is consistent with a broader definition of health that includes total physical, mental, and social well-being. This method recognises that the benefits of being in nature throughout specific life stages can endure a lifetime and can have a substantial impact on one's health later in life, beyond what is usually thought to be the short-term effects of being in nature.

Evaluation

When assessing this knowledge, I took several perspectives into account. These developments are influenced by various underlying factors, including cultural background, socioeconomic level, and access to healthcare. I think it is critical to prioritise destigmatization, fair access to mental health resources, and early intervention. It is crucial to comprehend the underlying causes of mental health problems and the variables that can help prevent them.

Conclusion

The study concludes that trends in mental health are dynamic and change over time, with present patterns emphasising particular problems in various age groups. Seeing how contributing variables and causes of mental health problems vary over the lifespan was quite illuminating. This knowledge highlights the necessity of individualised strategies for mental health education and treatment. More work has to be done to inform people about mental health, with an emphasis on treatment choices as well as prevention measures.

In Practice

My practice in mental health has been greatly impacted by what I have learned. My comprehension of the intricacies associated with mental health concerns in various life phases and genders has been enhanced by it. My ability to provide more effective and nuanced care will be aided by my understanding of the unique requirements and difficulties faced by various demographic groups. Additionally, it highlights how crucial it is to promote gender-sensitive and life-stage-appropriate mental health treatments to make sure that therapies are as successful and inclusive as possible (Sagar-Ouriaghli et al., 2019)

References

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