MIFV

Glossary and definitions *

*Sourced from the National Mental Health Strategy

Aboriginal Concepts

Health

"Not jut the physical well being of an individual, but…the social, emotional and cultural well being of the whole community in which each individual is able to achieve their full potential as a human being thereby bringing about the total well being of their community. It is a whole of life view and includes the cyclical concept of life-death-life" (NACCHO 1997)

Community Control

"A process which allows the local Aboriginal community to be involved in its affairs in accordance with whatever protocols or procedures are determined by the Community" (NACCHO 1997)

Anxiety Disorder

A condition in which worry, anxiety or fear is a prominent symptom. Defined according to standard psychiatric criteria" (NHMRC 1997)

Bipolar Mood Disorder

Bipolar Mood Disorder is the new name for what was called manic depressive illness. The new name is used as it better describes the extreme mood swings - from depression and sadness to elation and excitement - that people with this illness experience. People with bipolar mood disorder experience recurrent episodes of depressed and elated moods. Both can be mild to severe. The term 'mania' is used to describe the most severe state of extreme elation and over activity. Some people with bipolar disorder do not experience depressive episodes - only the episodes of elation and excitement.

Carer

A person whose life is affected by virtue of a close relationship and a caring role with a consumer (2nd National Mental Health Plan 1998)

Case Management

This describes the co-ordination of assessment, treatment and support a consumer receives. An Individual Service Plan (ISP) or Personal Participation Plan (PPP) is an important part of case management.

Community Treatment Order (CTO)

CTO's enable some involuntary patient's to live in the community while they receive treatment for their mental illness. A psychiatrist monitors the CTO, and treatment is enforced by law (see 'Your Rights').

Comorbidity

"The co-occurrence of two or more disorders such as depressive disorder with anxiety disorder, or depressive disorder with anorexia" (NHMRC 1997).

Confidentiality

This term generally y means that information about a consumer is not given to the people outside the service agency without the consumer's permission. An exception is when families and carers are able to obtain information that may be reasonably required in order to care and support for a family member or friend who has a mental illness.

Consumer

A person utilising, or who has utilised, a mental health service.

Community Education

An organised campaign designed to increase awareness of issue.

Depression

A constellation of emotional, cognitive and somatic signs and symptoms including sustained sad mood or lack of pleasure and defined according to standard diagnostic criteria.

Early Intervention

Interventions targeting people displaying the prodromal signs and symptoms of an illness. Early intervention also encompasses the early identification of people suffering from a disorder.

Eating Disorder

"A syndrome that negatively affects body-image, self-confidence and personality" (Selzner, Bonomo & Patton, 1995, p2032). Anorexia nervosa is characterised by excessive and self-induced weight loss and Bulimia Nervosa involves eating binges alternated with self-induced vomiting and laxative abuse.

Incidence

The percentage of the population suffering from a disorder for the first time (during a given period).

Individual Service Plan

Individual Service Plans (ISP's) are based on assessment, outlining the consumers goals and ways to meet the goals. The plan is developed and regularly reviewed by the case manager, the consumer and, where appropriate their family or carers and other workers.

Informal Status

Informal status previously called "voluntary" describes a person's 'status' while in hospital. Informal status means the person has agreed to be hospitalised.

Informed Consent

Occurs where the consumer provides permission for specific treatment to occur. For consent to be 'informed', the consumer must be given information which helps them understand the procedure or the treatment, the risks involved I having treatment, the consequences of not having or agreeing to the treatment and also other treatments available.

Involuntary Status

Means a person who, appears to be suffering from a mental illness, has refused or is unable to agree to hospitalisation and necessary treatment as an in voluntary patient. The person is then recommended for treatment as an involuntary patient. (The term 'certification' has sometimes been used to describe this process.

Intake Assessment

Occurs when the person first becomes a client of the mental health service. It is an initial assessment to determine the nature of the psychiatric problem and what is required to deal with the problem.

Mental Disorder

A diagnosable illness that significantly interferes with an individual's cognitive, emotional or social abilities.

Mental Health

"The capacity of individuals within groups and the environment to interact with one another in ways that promote subjective well-being, optimal development and use of mental abilities (cognitive, affective and relational) and achievement of individual and collective goals consistent with justice." (Australian Health Ministers 1991)

Mental Health Act 1986 (Victoria)

This is the law in Victoria that governs the treatment and protection of people who have a mental illness.

Mental Health Literacy

"The ability to recognise specific disorders; knowing how to seek mental health information; knowledge of risk factors and causes, of self-treatments and of professional help available, and attitudes that promote recognition and appropriate help-seeking" (Jorm et al 1997)

Mental Health problems

Diminished cognitive, emotional or social abilities.

Mental Health Professionals

"Professionally trained people working specifically in mental health, such as social workers, occupational therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists and psychiatric nurses." (The Kit, Commonwealth Department of Health & Family Services 1998)

Outcome

A measurable change in the health of an individual, or group of people or population, which is attributable to an intervention or series of interventions.

Post-natal Depression

Maternal depression occurring after the birth of a baby (Perinatal relates to periods shortly prior to, and shortly after, the birth of a baby).

Prevalence

The percentage of the population suffering from a disorder at a given point of time (point prevalence) or during a given period (period prevalence).

Prevention

Interventions that occur before the initial onset of a disorder.

Universal intervention - a preventive intervention 'targeted to the general public or w hole population group that has not been identified on the basis of individual risk'
Selective intervention - a preventive intervention 'targeted to individuals of the population whose risk of developing a mental disorders is significantly higher than average
Indicated prevention - a preventive intervention 'targeted to high-risk individuals who are identified as having minimal but detectable signs and symptoms foreshadowing mental disorder... but who do not meet DSM-IV diagnostic levels at the current time'

Schizophrenia

A constellation of signs and symptoms which may include delusions, hallucinations, disorganised speech or behaviour, a flattening in emotions and a restriction in thought, speech and goal-directed behaviours (America Psychiatric Association 1994).

Substance Abuse

A maladaptive pattern of substance use manifested by recurrent and significant adverse consequences related to the repeated use of substances (America Psychiatric Association 1994, p182).

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