Rita and Fred, our two speakers shared their time and showed the members just how experienced they are in the field of Mental Health during these challenging times.
They began by listing the following issues that currently impact Mental Health: Politics, Climate Change, Civil Conflict, Economic Security, Migration, Poverty, and Violence.
They began by listing the following issues that currently impact Mental Health: Politics, Climate Change, Civil Conflict, Economic Security, Migration, Poverty, and Violence.
The important argument they put forward was that there needs to be a major change, and they outlined how they were Changing Their Strategies – essential to adapt to change.
People aren’t interacting with issues but getting lost due to technology. No biases, look at the source otherwise only a band aid. To move forward it takes real courage, and can this be taught, honesty is required but it takes courage to say this way is wrong to initiate change.
Short term goals are very important and must be compared to long term goals. Community issues compared to individual situations. Often learning on the job versus the training one has received.
Here is a list of Rita and Fred’s Changing Strategies:
Acknowledging Realities and Differences
Develop New Approaches During Challenging Times
Heightened Awareness of Political, Social, Cultural and Economic Environment
Understand Privilege, Power and Biases
Courage
Policies that support Mental Health Humanitarian Work
Link between Policy, Practice and Training
Humanitarian Mental Health work linked to Funding and Resources
Adapting Mental Health Language to the Culture and Environment
Visitors vs Experts in Humanitarian Mental Health Work
Cultural Humility, Sensitivity and Awareness
Interdisciplinary Partnerships
Clear Short Term Achievable Goals
Community/Whanau/Hapori Healing
Rita and Fred concluded their talk with the following:
Summary: Rethinking Mental Health
People aren’t interacting with issues but getting lost due to technology. No biases, look at the source otherwise only a band aid. To move forward it takes real courage, and can this be taught, honesty is required but it takes courage to say this way is wrong to initiate change.
Short term goals are very important and must be compared to long term goals. Community issues compared to individual situations. Often learning on the job versus the training one has received.
Here is a list of Rita and Fred’s Changing Strategies:
Acknowledging Realities and Differences
Develop New Approaches During Challenging Times
Heightened Awareness of Political, Social, Cultural and Economic Environment
Understand Privilege, Power and Biases
Courage
Policies that support Mental Health Humanitarian Work
Link between Policy, Practice and Training
Humanitarian Mental Health work linked to Funding and Resources
Adapting Mental Health Language to the Culture and Environment
Visitors vs Experts in Humanitarian Mental Health Work
Cultural Humility, Sensitivity and Awareness
Interdisciplinary Partnerships
Clear Short Term Achievable Goals
Community/Whanau/Hapori Healing
Rita and Fred concluded their talk with the following:
Summary: Rethinking Mental Health
1. Traditional Mental Health vs Mental Health in a Changing World
2. Deconstruct and Reconstruct Humanitarian Mental Health:
Training
Practice/Services
Supervision
Policy
2. Deconstruct and Reconstruct Humanitarian Mental Health:
Training
Practice/Services
Supervision
Policy
All in all a very interesting session with lots of questions from the members.