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?