Mental Health Conference
Mental distress or “madness” is recognised worldwide. However, culture influences the presentation and meaning individuals, family members and community members give to experiences and matters to do with the mind. In one culture mental distress may be seen as a result of demonic possession or as a result of the effects of witchcraft or sorcery requiring spiritual healing. In another cultural context it may be seen as a result of genetically inherited disease such as schizophrenia requiring administration of anti psychotic medication.
What happens when an individual who believes they are possessed by a jinn (spirit) is considered by mental health professionals to be psychotic and is treated with medication as opposed to by a spiritual healer? Is the outcome the same for the individual whether they are treated by a spiritual healer or by anti psychotic medication? To what extent do and can mental health professionals practising within the Western biomedical model work collaboratively with spiritual healers?
What is the best way to treat an individual who believes they have been affected by the “evil eye”? Should the individual seek help from a healer? Should they be prescribed anti depressants and/or offered psychological therapy such as CBT?
Where different cultures have divergent meaning systems, what counts as a symptom and what do the symptoms signify? Are the notions derived from some cultures given less value because of racism or cultural arrogance? Are mental health services equipped to deal with the diverse definitions of what constitutes a ‘problem’ and ‘treatment? How universally applicable is Western biomedical disease medicine? Does one size really fit us all? To what extent are psychological therapies such as psychotherapy which promote an individualised notion of the self applicable across all cultures?
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Ethnic clothes mental health link
Interesting article... wounder how true it really is.... post your view
Ethnic clothes mental health link
Teenage girls from some minority communities who stick to their family customs have better mental health, researchers say.
Queen Mary University of London found Bangladeshi girls who chose traditional rather than Western dress had fewer behavioural and emotional problems.
The team said close-knit families and communities could help protect them.
Pressure to integrate fully could be stressful, the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health reported.
Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to mental health problems, and the researchers said that identity, often bound up in friendship choices or clothing, played a role.
They questioned a total of 1,000 white British and Bangladeshi 11 to 14-year-olds about their culture, social life and health, including questions designed to reveal any emotional or mental problems.
Bangladeshi pupils who wore traditional clothing were significantly less likely to have mental health problems than those whose style of dress was a mix of traditional and white British styles.
When this was broken down by gender, it appeared that only girls were affected.
No similar effect was found in white British adolescents who chose a mixture of clothes from their own and other cultures.
More support
Professor Kam Bhui, one of the study authors, said that the result was "surprising" - he had expected that girls who were less fully integrated to show signs of greater strain.
"Traditional clothing represents a tighter family unit, and this may offer some protection against some of the pressures that young people face.
"What it suggests is that we need to assist people who are moving from traditional cultures and becoming integrated into Western societies, as they may be more vulnerable to mental health problems."
Professor James Nazroo, a medical sociologist at the University of Manchester, said that the findings meant that "notions of Britishness" should be dealt with in a sophisticated way.
"There are many ways in which people can be British - these girls who have good mental health, and still have a strong traditional culture, are by implication settled and comfortable with their identities."
Ethnic clothes mental health link
Teenage girls from some minority communities who stick to their family customs have better mental health, researchers say.
Queen Mary University of London found Bangladeshi girls who chose traditional rather than Western dress had fewer behavioural and emotional problems.
The team said close-knit families and communities could help protect them.
Pressure to integrate fully could be stressful, the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health reported.
Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to mental health problems, and the researchers said that identity, often bound up in friendship choices or clothing, played a role.
They questioned a total of 1,000 white British and Bangladeshi 11 to 14-year-olds about their culture, social life and health, including questions designed to reveal any emotional or mental problems.
Bangladeshi pupils who wore traditional clothing were significantly less likely to have mental health problems than those whose style of dress was a mix of traditional and white British styles.
When this was broken down by gender, it appeared that only girls were affected.
No similar effect was found in white British adolescents who chose a mixture of clothes from their own and other cultures.
More support
Professor Kam Bhui, one of the study authors, said that the result was "surprising" - he had expected that girls who were less fully integrated to show signs of greater strain.
"Traditional clothing represents a tighter family unit, and this may offer some protection against some of the pressures that young people face.
"What it suggests is that we need to assist people who are moving from traditional cultures and becoming integrated into Western societies, as they may be more vulnerable to mental health problems."
Professor James Nazroo, a medical sociologist at the University of Manchester, said that the findings meant that "notions of Britishness" should be dealt with in a sophisticated way.
"There are many ways in which people can be British - these girls who have good mental health, and still have a strong traditional culture, are by implication settled and comfortable with their identities."
Training courses - Mediation
Free Courses!
Want to make a difference?
At work? At home? In life?
We are pleased to inform you of the trainings we will be running over the next few months. Starting in October we are running a Two Day OCN accredited course in Understanding Conflict Resolution at Conflict & Change in East Ham. The course will cover:
-Our own relationship to conflict
-A deeper understanding of anger
-Building on our own skills to work with conflict
-Steps for resolving conflict in our own lives and the community
-Moving on from conflict
The dates for this training are Saturday 28th June and Saturday 5th July 2008, 9:30 – 4:00.
Please note the accreditation is optional and requires written work.Please respond asap to reserve your place on this course.We will follow this up with two One Day trainings that can be taken together or separately. They are:
· Communicating for Results on Tuesday 15th July, and
· Dealing with Prejudice and Discrimination on Tuesday 22nd July.
Please note that completion of ALL FOUR of these days will make you eligible for our 4 Day Mediators Training later in the year.If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.
We look forward to hearing from you.
For more information about this or other free courses call:
Ed or Jean on 020 8552 2050
Email: training@conflictandchange.co.uk
www.conflictandchange.co.uk
Want to make a difference?
At work? At home? In life?
We are pleased to inform you of the trainings we will be running over the next few months. Starting in October we are running a Two Day OCN accredited course in Understanding Conflict Resolution at Conflict & Change in East Ham. The course will cover:
-Our own relationship to conflict
-A deeper understanding of anger
-Building on our own skills to work with conflict
-Steps for resolving conflict in our own lives and the community
-Moving on from conflict
The dates for this training are Saturday 28th June and Saturday 5th July 2008, 9:30 – 4:00.
Please note the accreditation is optional and requires written work.Please respond asap to reserve your place on this course.We will follow this up with two One Day trainings that can be taken together or separately. They are:
· Communicating for Results on Tuesday 15th July, and
· Dealing with Prejudice and Discrimination on Tuesday 22nd July.
Please note that completion of ALL FOUR of these days will make you eligible for our 4 Day Mediators Training later in the year.If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.
We look forward to hearing from you.
For more information about this or other free courses call:
Ed or Jean on 020 8552 2050
Email: training@conflictandchange.co.uk
www.conflictandchange.co.uk
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Race, Culture and Psychological Perspectives
Race, Culture and Psychological Perspectives
18th June 2008 Manchester – bookings.bme@googlemail.com
Registration and coffee
9.00
Melba Wilson
Chair’s welcome and introduction
9.30 - 9.45
Professor Wen-Shing Tseng
Asian Culture and Psychotherapy: Implications for East and West
9.45 - 10.35
Colin Lago
Race, Culture and Psychological Work: The Ongoing Challenge
10.35 - 11.25
Tea Break
15 minutes
Dr. Inga-Britt Krause
Why we need Cross-Cultural Psychotherapy?
11.40 - 12.30pm
Q&A for Morning session
Lunch 1.00 - 2.00pm
Professor Lena Robinson
Revisiting Black Perspectives in Psychology
2.00 – 2.50pm
Philip Messent
Issues for a White Therapist Working Cross Cultural Difference: A Systemic Perspective
2.50pm - 3.40pm
Professor Rachel Tribe
Working with Unfamiliar Languages and Cultures in the Context of Talking Therapy
3.40p - 4.40pm
Q&A for afternoon session
Plenary
5.00 – 5.15pm
18th June 2008 Manchester – bookings.bme@googlemail.com
Registration and coffee
9.00
Melba Wilson
Chair’s welcome and introduction
9.30 - 9.45
Professor Wen-Shing Tseng
Asian Culture and Psychotherapy: Implications for East and West
9.45 - 10.35
Colin Lago
Race, Culture and Psychological Work: The Ongoing Challenge
10.35 - 11.25
Tea Break
15 minutes
Dr. Inga-Britt Krause
Why we need Cross-Cultural Psychotherapy?
11.40 - 12.30pm
Q&A for Morning session
Lunch 1.00 - 2.00pm
Professor Lena Robinson
Revisiting Black Perspectives in Psychology
2.00 – 2.50pm
Philip Messent
Issues for a White Therapist Working Cross Cultural Difference: A Systemic Perspective
2.50pm - 3.40pm
Professor Rachel Tribe
Working with Unfamiliar Languages and Cultures in the Context of Talking Therapy
3.40p - 4.40pm
Q&A for afternoon session
Plenary
5.00 – 5.15pm
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Comments and Questions
Assalamu alaykum
Jazakamullahu khairun for all the e-mails with comments and questions, I have read them all and really appreciate the encouragment and concern.
Reading through them has sparked of a renewed dedication for me to continue on my quest and to get further in my field and to encouarge those who wish to do the same.
I have also received e-mails requesting advice, I have read them all and would like to request your patience. I will reply to you Inshallah and post something on the blog, I want to do some research before I reply so I can reply with the most accurate information and guidence Inshallah
Take care all and keep on reaching for those stars in whatever you wish to do. Keep studying, keep progressing and keep on going!
wassalam
bintyaqub
Jazakamullahu khairun for all the e-mails with comments and questions, I have read them all and really appreciate the encouragment and concern.
Reading through them has sparked of a renewed dedication for me to continue on my quest and to get further in my field and to encouarge those who wish to do the same.
I have also received e-mails requesting advice, I have read them all and would like to request your patience. I will reply to you Inshallah and post something on the blog, I want to do some research before I reply so I can reply with the most accurate information and guidence Inshallah
Take care all and keep on reaching for those stars in whatever you wish to do. Keep studying, keep progressing and keep on going!
wassalam
bintyaqub
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Graduate exhibition
Assalamu alaykum peps
This looks interesting... maybe of use what ever your careers prospects are.
About the exhibition
Concerned about finding a job after graduation…?
Weighed down by student debt…?
Undecided about what career you want to pursue…?
…Visit the National Graduate Recruitment Exhibition.
7 & 8 March 2008
Hall 1, Barbican, London
Free CV Advice
Mock Assessment Centre
Company Presentations
Careers Presentations
This is your opportunity to find the answers to all your career-related questions all under one roof.
Find out who's recruiting
Research career opportunities
Listen to company presentations
Perfect your CV
Talk to those recruiting
Apply for jobs
Attend interviews
Prepare for assessment centres
GET A JOB!
Remember, you're always up against tough competition - read the Top 10 Tips to ensure you get a good return on your investment of time.
Diversity
The National Graduate Recruitment Exhibition actively supports and encourages the recruitment of students and graduates from all backgrounds regardless of gender, marital status, race, colour, nationality, ethnicity or origin, disability, religion, sexual orientation or age and hosts events offering opportunities with employers who share these values. For more information please contact diversity.ngr@vmgl.com
This looks interesting... maybe of use what ever your careers prospects are.
About the exhibition
Concerned about finding a job after graduation…?
Weighed down by student debt…?
Undecided about what career you want to pursue…?
…Visit the National Graduate Recruitment Exhibition.
7 & 8 March 2008
Hall 1, Barbican, London
Free CV Advice
Mock Assessment Centre
Company Presentations
Careers Presentations
This is your opportunity to find the answers to all your career-related questions all under one roof.
Find out who's recruiting
Research career opportunities
Listen to company presentations
Perfect your CV
Talk to those recruiting
Apply for jobs
Attend interviews
Prepare for assessment centres
GET A JOB!
Remember, you're always up against tough competition - read the Top 10 Tips to ensure you get a good return on your investment of time.
Diversity
The National Graduate Recruitment Exhibition actively supports and encourages the recruitment of students and graduates from all backgrounds regardless of gender, marital status, race, colour, nationality, ethnicity or origin, disability, religion, sexual orientation or age and hosts events offering opportunities with employers who share these values. For more information please contact diversity.ngr@vmgl.com
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Psychologist warns of "educational television" myth
LONDON (Reuters)
He's been characterised as the ultimate killjoy, the extremist fringe thinker who refuses to recognise the realities of modern life.
But for Dr Aric Sigman, an American psychologist living in Britain and the author of "Remotely Controlled: How Television is Damaging Our Lives", the battle against what he calls the "recreational junk food" of TV is one well worth fighting.
And as the BBC announced on Tuesday the launch of the nation's first ever television quiz show for pre-school children, Sigman's frustration with TV executives who claim to entertain and educate is growing.
"Television-makers will always justify themselves by saying that children enjoy their programmes," Sigman told Reuters in an interview. "They say they make children smile and laugh."
"But children will also smile if you give them cocaine. The argument that children enjoy something or laugh at something is not the basis on which you decide what is good for them."
The BBC's new show, "Kerwhizz", which it describes as a "new breakthrough multi-platform entertainment format" aimed at 4- to 6-year-olds is a perfect example, says Sigman, of another common claim by television makers: Our programmes are educational.
"The phrase 'educational television' was, of course, invented by people who make television," he says. "To me it's an oxymoron".
According to Sigman, who bases his assertions on studies published by medics from some of America's leading universities as well as his own worldwide research, science now suggests the quality of television children watch is of little consequence.
He points to the Tellytubbies, the globally successful toddler TV series hailed for its innovation and educational value, but also the subject of several warning studies including one by two Harvard academics entitled "Say No To Tellytubbies".
"Medical evidence is growing that for young children, being exposed to TV, computers and DVDs, -- irrespective of the quality of the programme -- has an impact on their health and development," he said.
"There is a definite inverse relationship between time spent watching any kind of television or screen when you are young and your ability to read and concentrate when you are older."
With the BBC billing its new pre-school quiz as being "visually stunning and packed with gags" -- and adding that it was "designed with the assistance of teachers" -- Sigman bemoans a lack of confidence among parents and child carers in their own ability to entertain and engage children.
Studies of brain activity have shown that a child doing simple mental arithmetic with coloured counters or beans has greater blood flow to the brain than one engaged what may look like a far more complex computer game, he says.
And it may be precisely the complexity -- the speed of edits, the colours and sounds and speeds children's media -- that is having a detrimental effect on their brain development.
"It may well be that your child learns from the TV that a certain country is in Africa, but that may well also come at the cost of doing something to their attention span," he said.
"Whereas if a parent is talking their children about geography or nature, they can learn without that risk and will physically exercise their brains in the process."
Sigman freely admits he has a TV at home -- only one -- which his children watch occasionally, but insists society is wrong to chastise as "kill-joys" the relatively few parents who ban television altogether, or allow only a few hours a week.
"My children have candy sometimes, and television is just like candy, it's recreational junk food," he said. "But it's a complete myth that children somehow inherently need TV -- otherwise they would be born with a television built into their stomachs, just like the Tellytubbies".
(Editing by Paul Casciato)
By Kate Kelland Reuters - Tuesday, February 12 06:28 pm
Whats your view?
He's been characterised as the ultimate killjoy, the extremist fringe thinker who refuses to recognise the realities of modern life.
But for Dr Aric Sigman, an American psychologist living in Britain and the author of "Remotely Controlled: How Television is Damaging Our Lives", the battle against what he calls the "recreational junk food" of TV is one well worth fighting.
And as the BBC announced on Tuesday the launch of the nation's first ever television quiz show for pre-school children, Sigman's frustration with TV executives who claim to entertain and educate is growing.
"Television-makers will always justify themselves by saying that children enjoy their programmes," Sigman told Reuters in an interview. "They say they make children smile and laugh."
"But children will also smile if you give them cocaine. The argument that children enjoy something or laugh at something is not the basis on which you decide what is good for them."
The BBC's new show, "Kerwhizz", which it describes as a "new breakthrough multi-platform entertainment format" aimed at 4- to 6-year-olds is a perfect example, says Sigman, of another common claim by television makers: Our programmes are educational.
"The phrase 'educational television' was, of course, invented by people who make television," he says. "To me it's an oxymoron".
According to Sigman, who bases his assertions on studies published by medics from some of America's leading universities as well as his own worldwide research, science now suggests the quality of television children watch is of little consequence.
He points to the Tellytubbies, the globally successful toddler TV series hailed for its innovation and educational value, but also the subject of several warning studies including one by two Harvard academics entitled "Say No To Tellytubbies".
"Medical evidence is growing that for young children, being exposed to TV, computers and DVDs, -- irrespective of the quality of the programme -- has an impact on their health and development," he said.
"There is a definite inverse relationship between time spent watching any kind of television or screen when you are young and your ability to read and concentrate when you are older."
With the BBC billing its new pre-school quiz as being "visually stunning and packed with gags" -- and adding that it was "designed with the assistance of teachers" -- Sigman bemoans a lack of confidence among parents and child carers in their own ability to entertain and engage children.
Studies of brain activity have shown that a child doing simple mental arithmetic with coloured counters or beans has greater blood flow to the brain than one engaged what may look like a far more complex computer game, he says.
And it may be precisely the complexity -- the speed of edits, the colours and sounds and speeds children's media -- that is having a detrimental effect on their brain development.
"It may well be that your child learns from the TV that a certain country is in Africa, but that may well also come at the cost of doing something to their attention span," he said.
"Whereas if a parent is talking their children about geography or nature, they can learn without that risk and will physically exercise their brains in the process."
Sigman freely admits he has a TV at home -- only one -- which his children watch occasionally, but insists society is wrong to chastise as "kill-joys" the relatively few parents who ban television altogether, or allow only a few hours a week.
"My children have candy sometimes, and television is just like candy, it's recreational junk food," he said. "But it's a complete myth that children somehow inherently need TV -- otherwise they would be born with a television built into their stomachs, just like the Tellytubbies".
(Editing by Paul Casciato)
By Kate Kelland Reuters - Tuesday, February 12 06:28 pm
Whats your view?
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