feeling jetlagged? mental health for jets lynsey wallace clinical support nurse adult acute mental...
TRANSCRIPT
FEELIN
G JETL
AGGED?
MENTAL H
EALTH F
OR JETS
LY N S E Y W A L L A C E
C L I N I C A L S U P P O R T N U R S E
A D U LT A C U T E M E N TA L H E A LT H , U K
WHAT IS MENTAL HEALTH?
“a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.”
- World Health Organization, Sept 2010
SO WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT?
Health
Triangle
MENTAL
HEALTH
Emotional (Social) Health
Physical Health
FACTS AND FIGURES
• The USA, UK and Japan differ vastly in population but ~25% of each population experiences mental illness in one year.
• The number of people suffering a mental illness worldwide is estimated to be the same as cancer
• Male vs. female occurrences differ per country
• Rate of suicide is higher in Japan than any home country of Ibaraki JETs
• Most common disorder is depression/anxiety
• >50% of sufferers are actually diagnosed.
WHY ARE WE HAVING THIS PRESENTATION?• Because it’s January!
• Stage 2 of culture shock
• Reappointment procedures
• Transitioning back to Western culture
• Cold weather
• Other factors
• Work associated stress
SO ARE JETS SUSCEPTIBLE?
• Well anyone is…
• Genetic factors
• Age – are you in the “first-presentation window”?
• Previous experience abroad?
PRECURSORS
• Being away from home – not usual support network
• Unfamiliarity with finding help (physical/mental)
• Different diet
• Different culture (affects social health)
• Also, not to scare you but antipsychotics aren’t prescribed over here…
CONTINUING MENTAL HEALTH
• Mental Health is very much like physical health – it is static, i.e. it can change over time and in response to different events (such as moving to Japan)!
TYPICAL SYMPTOMS (VARIABLE)
• Withdrawal/Isolation
• Difference in eating
• Difference in sleeping
• Prolonged low moods
• Loss of enjoyment
• Altered sex drive
• Mood swings
• Dip in productivity
BARRIERS TO TREATMENT
• LANGUAGE
• Lack of awareness of symptoms
• Money
• Shame
• Culture
• “Its all in the mind”
MENTAL HEALTHCARE IN JAPAN
3 main providers:
1.Psychiatrist
2.Clinical Psychologist
3.Psychosomatic medicine specialists
GENERAL PROTOCOL
Step 1
Register at a clinic using JNH card. Survey of health and family history is typical.
Step 2
20 minute consultation with a clinical psychologist (required once)
Step 3
5-20 minute consultation with psychiatrist. (required each time a prescription is filled).
Step 4
Obtain prescription from pharmacy
HOW TO KEEP HEALTHY
• VENT TALK!
• Eat healthily
• Take advantage of your support system
• If you’re not happy with something, work to solve it
• Find your outlet
• Don’t haunt gaijin bars
• ESID – stop comparisons
• Remember your purpose of coming here
Also, don’t forget that you have your prefectural advisors!!!
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!
Any questions?