By EK Wills
Everyone touts the importance and need to focus on our mental health, yet precious little seems to be done about it.
From diet and meditation to Employee Assist Programs, these patchwork approaches all target aspects of our mental health that are like Band-Aid strips on wounds already created.
What if we actually took an holistic approach and looked at prevention?
This week there was a landmark decision in WA around domestic violence. The government there has recognized the role that domestic violence can play in extreme cases because of the impact it has on that person’s mental health. And calls have been made to look at the stem of the issue, which is society’s attitude towards intimate partner violence (IPV or DV – domestic violence). Currently, the numbers of reported cases of DV have not changed since the 70’s, ALMOST 50 YEARS LATER.
The discussion on The Drum centred around the concept of PTSD or post traumatic stress disorder as a result of exposure to IPV and the stigma attached. What it did not specifically mention was the ripple effect on the children and other family members involved. In addition, there is the intergenerational trauma that can be passed down the line without direct exposure.
If we actually targeted more preventative measures it could have an exponential effect.
Approaches such as relationship and parenting coaching could involve
building awareness of respect within family structures and problem solving techniques. Some people even support the idea of a parenting licence like that required for driving a car and (in some places) for owning a pet.
Of course there is not an easy fix but it will cost money and so it is put into the ‘too hard basket’ while we mop up the mess we are already in.
Such programs would be difficult to measure the impact in the immediate future. Would it take another 50 years to see the reduction in rates of DV and the number of presentations to the Emergency Departments for such blatent disregard for human rights?
If enacted, it could lead to reduced number of new cases of mental health presentations: the children of DV who have attachment issues and end up with personality disorders continuing the cycle of violence or self medicating with drugs.
In the meantime, the impact extends to the workers of frontline professions such as the police, paramedics and hospital staff who also are exposed to vicarious trauma from repeated exposure to these cases and adding to the pool of mental health issues that society needs to address.
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