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BEST PRACTICE – MENTAL HEALTH
WHAT IS MENTAL ILLNESS?
There are a wide range of identifiable conditions that may impair any or all of the following:
Behaviour Thinking & reasoning Feelings
Mental illness refers to the disorder; psychiatric disability refers to the type of impairment the person experiences as a result of mental illness. (TIPD 1999)
One in five people will experience mental illness in their lifetime. Therefore, we will always have a number of students at Aoraki Polytechnic who have either episodic or ongoing symptoms of mental illness.
The onset of a number of mental illness conditions occurs in adolescence or early adulthood. The majority of these are treatable and people lead quality lives with good academic outcomes.
The barriers that may be perceived in tertiary environments are:
1. Discrimination – either by staff or peers.
Fact – Staff are trained to avoid any discriminatory practices. If the student experiences any, these can be addressed through Access Aoraki.
Peers may have assumptions & often these can be dispelled through disclosure.
2. Lack of professional support, on site counselling.
Fact – Free Counselling services are available off campus in Timaru, Christchurch, Oamaru & Dunedin. In Ashburton, the counsellor can meet with a student on campus. Contact details are available on site.
3.Enforced absences. Some students have episodes where class attendance is not possible for a period of time.
Fact – Access Aoraki, the Inclusive Education Service, can arrange note takers for absences supported by medical certificates. Advise the coordinator so this can be arranged promptly.
Students can ask Course Coordinators for extensions on assignments.
If necessary, reader/writers can be arranged for assessments.
DISCLOSURE
A number of students choose not to disclose to others about their condition for fear of any of the above. They fear they may be misunderstood, discriminated against or socially isolated.
Issues to consider, however, are:
a. What does the student have to gain by disclosure?
b. Is all relevant information about support that will keep the student safe available without disclosure?
c. Who does the student disclose to – academic staff, peer students, disability support staff?
e. Will this be confidential if the student chooses to disclose to non-academic staff?
ANSWERS FROM PAST STUDENTS
Carole said after disclosing to Access Aoraki staff – “I feel more comfortable
knowing that I can get help when I need it. I like the way notes can be taken for me & returned to me without anyone else knowing.
If I need a writer for assessments because my drugs are affecting me I can arrange one with out anyone else knowing why.”
Adam said “I have had one on one tutorial support with a student tutor. He helped me with a study plan and when I got totally stressed out, support people were there with strategies for managing this differently. I was going to drop out. Some of us formed a study group & we met in Access Aoraki once a week. Now I have a diploma, a job and a better understanding of my condition.”
ANSWERS FROM ACCESS AORAKI
a. The student can gain a different understanding of their condition from disclosure. We view the student as a student, the impairment as part of our challenge in delivering the course inclusively.
b. All relevant support information is available in the student hand book, on
the website, and in pamphlets and posters on site. Alternative formats are available on request.
c. Meet with Access Aoraki Coordinator as soon as you enroll & discuss who needs to know, when they need to know and what services can be supportive.
d. Confidentiality is assured. An individual response plan for any mental health emergency can be arranged with the names of staff on campus who can offer a supportive response. Name and number of G.P., Mental Health caseworker etc can be kept on file for this purpose.
STAFF RESPONSE TO MENTAL HEALTH EMERGENCY
In the event of a Mental Health emergency, there are two possible responses from staff.
1. Where there has been disclosure, consult the plan for contact details.
2. Where there has not been disclosure, assist in arranging a meeting with the following: Mental Health Response Team ( Timaru only)
GP or counsellor (Ashburton, Christchurch, Dunedin, Oamaru )
Or Mental Health Caseworker
If this occurs off campus, contact the nearest medical service.
We look forward to welcoming you on any of our campus sites. For Access Aoraki, contact 0800 426 7254 ext 814 and arrange a meeting for a mutually agreeable time.
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