MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES

A personal reflectionby JOY PENNICK

THERAPEUTIC RECREATION

In June, I will graduate as a Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Associate.

A Recreational Therapy professional collaborates with individuals

to find a recreational activity designed to improve their health and quality of life. This activity could involve physical,

emotional, psychological and social well being and is designed to provide enjoyment, challenge and rehabilitation

opportunities. In essence, Therapeutic Recreation is leisure with a

therapeutic goal.

THERAPEUTIC RECREATIONI will complete my work placement with the Community Transition Program for Mental Health (Capital Health)

and continue to volunteer with the Down’s Syndrome Society (Halifax),

for an art program called Team Possibles. Clearly, the greater my understanding of mental health issues (cause, diagnoses and recovery), the greater will be my ability

to offer meaningful support. I would like to highlight the most significant aha moments of the semester and will

discuss how this information can contribute to my ongoing professional development.

Historical Perspectives & Human Behaviour

Throughout the ages of human and societal development, we have tried to explain behaviour, to determine how best to

deal with ‘unusual’ (maladaptive or non-conforming) conduct. Some societies are more accommodating than

others, offering support, accommodation and treatment. At other times, the response is more punitive and based on fear and rejection. Do we (today) treat those with mental

health challenges as the patient, the victim, the warrior or the outcast? Questions about conformity and eccentricity, as well as cultural or societal expectation can complicate

this issue.

Stress and ResilienceI am particularly interested in the diathesis-stress model, used to explain how the environment and the individuals’ unique traits combine and interact. This model has been

applied to explain vulnerability and variability, with regards to a number of mental health issues.

For this reason, events and circumstances might trigger mental health crises for individuals who are predisposed.

This means that improvements to living conditions, as well as providing supports and positive coping strategies will all be beneficial. This is important information for a

TR professional

Stress and ResilienceWith regards to stress, what is of equal importance as the

source of the stimulus (stress) is how we appraise the experience and what coping strategies we employ? The

primary appraisal of a situation is either: harm/loss, threat or challenge. While the more positive challenge appraisal of

a stressor (eustress) leads to motivation and excitement, the first two appraisals lead to the autonomic fight or flight

response.

The sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system responds to this threat appraisal by priming the body to either fight or flee, whether the threat is an impending

exam, a job interview, a verbal argument or physical combat! This confirms my appreciation of the benefits of

yoga, meditation and the mind-body connection as a personal and professional strategy.

Depression and ResilienceAndrew Solomon’s TED talk: Depression, the Secret we Share, was both

inspiring and disturbing. Depression may be triggered by trauma, loss, stress or drastic change, especially for individuals with

vulnerable personality traits.

Andrew suggests that everyone will have some experience with depression

and urges us to find meaning in the existential insights we may have during those dark periods.

As he describes it: “The opposite of depression is not happiness, it is vitality!” (Solomon, 2013).

He believes that resilience and psychological hardiness result when we do not deny the dark energy of depression (the dark secret) but choose

instead to accept and attend to our mental health with honesty and openness.

By accepting this full range of emotional expression, treatment and recover are possible.

Mindfulness TrainingI was also quite excited about the discussion of

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), developed (in part) by

Canadian Psychologist/Professor Dr Zindel Segal. This combination of Buddhist meditation practice and

psychotherapy helps to prevent depression-relapse by helping individuals break free from negative, down-ward

spirally thought patterns. Studies suggest that MBCT is a very effective non-

pharmacological treatment for depression.

Mindfulness TrainingA recent study indicated that simple mindfulness meditation

practice helped alleviate symptoms of anxiety experienced by individuals with schizophrenia (Brow, Davis, LaRocco &

Strasburger, 2010). This program provided a number of benefits: relaxation,

symptom reduction, focus on the present and improved concentration. Participants also reported no increase of psychoses and felt that the meditation practice improved

their coping strategies.

Music and Memory ProgramPosts from the Changing Aging website, by Dr. Bill Thomas, founder of the Eden Philosophy, are particularly inspiring.

the Alive Inside documentary and Music and Memory Program explain why the use of individualized music play-lists can

awaken individuals with Alzheimer’s. The Music and Memory program is used in care facilities,

for with persons who experience a wide range of cognitive and physical challenges. Personalized music playlists can trigger deep emotional recollections in persons with

Alzheimer’s.

ConclusionsAlthough I am not qualified to counsel individuals,

in my role as a TR professional, it is essential that I have a solid understanding of the mental health issues they may

experience. I intend to use my experience in the Arts and with yoga and

meditation to enhance the lives of those who are in need. In the future, I intend to focus on alternative treatment

strategies and plan to continue with an investigation of Positive Psychology.

All in all, this course has provided a very worthwhile experience.

Thank You!References

• Brow, L., Davis, L. W., LaRocco, V. A., & Strasburger, A. (2010). Mindfulness training for anxiety in schizophrenia. American

Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, 13, 224–242.• Dozois, D. J. (2015). Abnormal psychology perspectives (5th ed.).

Toronto, ON: Pearson.• Rossato-Bennett, M. (2014). Alive inside: A story of music and

memory. [Motion Picture]

• Solomon, A. (2013, December 18). Depression, the secret we share [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/andrew

solomon depression the secret we share