ACQ_Vol_11_no_3_2009

Mental health

Introduction Andrea Murray

Andrea Murray

T he Discobolus, or discus thrower, was known in ancient Greece as a symbol of the Olympic Games and signifies the Greek values of a “sound mind in a sound body”. he discobolus became an emblem of balance, power, and rhythmical grace that the Greek culture held in high esteem. At the Olympic stadium in Sydney there is a large discus built for the Olympic Games held in 2000. The inscription states that its circular shape is a symbol of perfection or excellence. The flight of the discus represents a connection between distant places and times and its resemblance to the modern day CD is described as a fitting symbol of the advances in knowledge and technology in modern times. I liked it when I saw it, because as a clinician working in a mental health service, a “sound mind in a sound body” is the goal that is aspired to for clients. In mental health services we also recognise the impact of one’s past on the present, aspire to excellence through innovative practice and actively seek to acquire, expand and disseminate knowledge about mental health via modern day technology and research. Mental health affects all ages and is present or absent across the lifespan, from the newborn infant to the elderly. It can be compromised at any age. Often what is described as “mental health” is actually mental ill health. The World Health Organisation states that “Mental Health is a state of well being in which the individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with normal stressors of life, can work productively, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community” (http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs220/en/). Mental ill health encompasses both mental illness as well as

mental health problems. Difficulties can range from mild to severe and may interfere to a minimal or high degree on a person’s day to day functioning. The focus of this issue, Mental Health, is relevant to everybody as all speech pathologists deal with matters of mental health. Therapeutic services may be preventative in nature and reduce the risk of mental ill health, or they may be remedial, thus building skills, improving social and emotional functioning and enhancing resilience. The issue was initiated as a joint project of the National Peer Supervision Group, comprising senior speech pathologists working in child and youth mental health services in Queensland, Victoria and South Australia. The mental health discus has, however, travelled metaphorically around Australia and beyond, with articles also submitted from NSW, Western Australia and New Zealand. The issue is diverse and thought-provoking and, in keeping with mental health practice principles, it is also reflective, with clinicians, students and a consumer sharing their stories. We hope that the issue will inform, challenge and inspire you.

Correspondence to: Andrea Murray Speech Pathologist and Infant Mental Health Clinician Future Families CYMHS, Royal Children’s Hospital

Children’s Health Services, Queensland email: andrea_murray@health.qld.gov.au

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ACQ Volume 11, Number 3 2009

www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au