[Music]
[Applause]
[Applause] our friends are the people we can talk
our friends are the people we can talk
our friends are the people we can talk to about well pretty much anything
to about well pretty much anything
to about well pretty much anything what’s frustrating or great about our
what’s frustrating or great about our
what’s frustrating or great about our jobs our partner our lecturer about that
jobs our partner our lecturer about that
jobs our partner our lecturer about that new movie that’s just come out well the
new movie that’s just come out well the
new movie that’s just come out well the hike we did last weekend the trip we’re
hike we did last weekend the trip we’re
hike we did last weekend the trip we’re dreaming of taking or how about silly
dreaming of taking or how about silly
dreaming of taking or how about silly scene from friends makes us laugh so
scene from friends makes us laugh so
scene from friends makes us laugh so hard but what would we do if a friend
hard but what would we do if a friend
hard but what would we do if a friend came to us and told us that they were
came to us and told us that they were
came to us and told us that they were struggling to get out of bed in the
struggling to get out of bed in the
struggling to get out of bed in the morning or that they’d been up all night
morning or that they’d been up all night
morning or that they’d been up all night having panic attacks what do you feel
having panic attacks what do you feel
having panic attacks what do you feel discomfort at this revelation because
discomfort at this revelation because
discomfort at this revelation because he’d be uncertain about how to respond
he’d be uncertain about how to respond
he’d be uncertain about how to respond or worried about saying the wrong thing
or worried about saying the wrong thing
or worried about saying the wrong thing or just a bit annoyed that they’re
or just a bit annoyed that they’re
or just a bit annoyed that they’re throwing off your mojo when you’d rather
throwing off your mojo when you’d rather
throwing off your mojo when you’d rather to talk about other things or what would
to talk about other things or what would
to talk about other things or what would you do if you were going through
you do if you were going through
you do if you were going through something yourself do you think you’d be
something yourself do you think you’d be
something yourself do you think you’d be okay to speak to someone about it well
okay to speak to someone about it well
okay to speak to someone about it well might you to feel worried worried about
might you to feel worried worried about
might you to feel worried worried about being a burden on someone or worried
being a burden on someone or worried
being a burden on someone or worried that if you said something you’d be put
that if you said something you’d be put
that if you said something you’d be put in a box labeled crazy with your
in a box labeled crazy with your
in a box labeled crazy with your identity forever altered these are some
identity forever altered these are some
identity forever altered these are some of the thoughts that I had when I was 14
of the thoughts that I had when I was 14
of the thoughts that I had when I was 14 years old and freshly diagnosed with OCD
years old and freshly diagnosed with OCD
years old and freshly diagnosed with OCD obsessive-compulsive disorder
obsessive-compulsive disorder
obsessive-compulsive disorder I grew up in the bushland in the
I grew up in the bushland in the
I grew up in the bushland in the Adelaide Hills the eldest of five girls
Adelaide Hills the eldest of five girls
Adelaide Hills the eldest of five girls enjoying playing with my pets doing well
enjoying playing with my pets doing well
enjoying playing with my pets doing well in school and you know dreaming of
in school and you know dreaming of
in school and you know dreaming of becoming a vet or an author and saving
becoming a vet or an author and saving
becoming a vet or an author and saving the environment in my perception back
the environment in my perception back
the environment in my perception back then mental illness was for someone in a
then mental illness was for someone in a
then mental illness was for someone in a straightjacket in an asylum seeing a
straightjacket in an asylum seeing a
straightjacket in an asylum seeing a psychiatrist was for the irredeemably
psychiatrist was for the irredeemably
psychiatrist was for the irredeemably insane not for a 14 year old girl and
insane not for a 14 year old girl and
insane not for a 14 year old girl and certainly not for perfectionist me and
certainly not for perfectionist me and
certainly not for perfectionist me and hence in my worldview this diagnosis was
hence in my worldview this diagnosis was
hence in my worldview this diagnosis was shattering it was identity shattering
shattering it was identity shattering
shattering it was identity shattering for not only was i living in this hell
for not only was i living in this hell
for not only was i living in this hell in my own head and struggling with the
in my own head and struggling with the
in my own head and struggling with the symptoms but I had to live with the fear
symptoms but I had to live with the fear
symptoms but I had to live with the fear and a certainty that people might treat
and a certainty that people might treat
and a certainty that people might treat me differently if they found out to feel
me differently if they found out to feel
me differently if they found out to feel like I was put in this box with a crazy
like I was put in this box with a crazy
like I was put in this box with a crazy label on it I thought I might never
label on it I thought I might never
label on it I thought I might never escape from it I thought that all these
escape from it I thought that all these
escape from it I thought that all these other things that made me
other things that made me
other things that made me mo we’re just lost in a world where
mo we’re just lost in a world where
mo we’re just lost in a world where psychiatrists focus solely on my
psychiatrists focus solely on my
psychiatrists focus solely on my symptoms going through this at a young
symptoms going through this at a young
symptoms going through this at a young age actually also made me realize a
age actually also made me realize a
age actually also made me realize a couple of things it made me realize that
couple of things it made me realize that
couple of things it made me realize that you never know what someone’s going
you never know what someone’s going
you never know what someone’s going through just by looking at them to see
through just by looking at them to see
through just by looking at them to see past their wood behaviors to know what’s
past their wood behaviors to know what’s
past their wood behaviors to know what’s really happening inside it made me
really happening inside it made me
really happening inside it made me realize how important it is for us to be
realize how important it is for us to be
realize how important it is for us to be gentle and accepting with each other
gentle and accepting with each other
gentle and accepting with each other because what got me through this was the
because what got me through this was the
because what got me through this was the support of a community it was the
support of a community it was the
support of a community it was the community of people like my doctor who I
community of people like my doctor who I
community of people like my doctor who I finally found who saw all the other
finally found who saw all the other
finally found who saw all the other things that I am and helped me see a
things that I am and helped me see a
things that I am and helped me see a future in an identity beyond my illness
future in an identity beyond my illness
future in an identity beyond my illness enough to work to recover and manage it
enough to work to recover and manage it
enough to work to recover and manage it for those who don’t know OCD involves
for those who don’t know OCD involves
for those who don’t know OCD involves space obsessions or these thoughts and
space obsessions or these thoughts and
space obsessions or these thoughts and ideas and worries that go round and
ideas and worries that go round and
ideas and worries that go round and round your head in an endless cycle and
round your head in an endless cycle and
round your head in an endless cycle and compulsions or the rituals and things
compulsions or the rituals and things
compulsions or the rituals and things you do to try and relieve some of the
you do to try and relieve some of the
you do to try and relieve some of the stress of these obsessions and prevent
stress of these obsessions and prevent
stress of these obsessions and prevent something bad happening no matter how
something bad happening no matter how
something bad happening no matter how unlikely that might be so for me
unlikely that might be so for me
unlikely that might be so for me something simple like say touching a bus
something simple like say touching a bus
something simple like say touching a bus Pole there was potentially no matter how
Pole there was potentially no matter how
Pole there was potentially no matter how unlikely contaminated with something
unlikely contaminated with something
unlikely contaminated with something could potentially no matter how unlikely
could potentially no matter how unlikely
could potentially no matter how unlikely go on to get someone else sick and hence
go on to get someone else sick and hence
go on to get someone else sick and hence I had to prevent this at all costs even
I had to prevent this at all costs even
I had to prevent this at all costs even if this meant crazy and over-the-top
if this meant crazy and over-the-top
if this meant crazy and over-the-top cleaning rituals so how did I get
cleaning rituals so how did I get
cleaning rituals so how did I get through this how do I stand here today
through this how do I stand here today
through this how do I stand here today without suffering from OCD anymore it
without suffering from OCD anymore it
without suffering from OCD anymore it was the help of this community the
was the help of this community the
was the help of this community the community of my family who stuck by me
community of my family who stuck by me
community of my family who stuck by me even when it took hours of their coaxing
even when it took hours of their coaxing
even when it took hours of their coaxing and hard work to get through a simple
and hard work to get through a simple
and hard work to get through a simple morning routine and get me to school who
morning routine and get me to school who
morning routine and get me to school who helped me find a doctor that would give
helped me find a doctor that would give
helped me find a doctor that would give me the treatment I needed even when this
me the treatment I needed even when this
me the treatment I needed even when this was wreaking havoc with their lives –
was wreaking havoc with their lives –
was wreaking havoc with their lives – and they didn’t really understand my
and they didn’t really understand my
and they didn’t really understand my behavior the community of a few friends
behavior the community of a few friends
behavior the community of a few friends who stuck by me who treated me the same
who stuck by me who treated me the same
who stuck by me who treated me the same even when my behavior was odd at times I
even when my behavior was odd at times I
even when my behavior was odd at times I can’t tell you how grateful I am to
can’t tell you how grateful I am to
can’t tell you how grateful I am to those people who did something
those people who did something
those people who did something remarkable in the unremarkable by
remarkable in the unremarkable by
remarkable in the unremarkable by connecting and caring in a very normal
connecting and caring in a very normal
connecting and caring in a very normal way when I wasn’t sure I’d still receive
way when I wasn’t sure I’d still receive
way when I wasn’t sure I’d still receive that from the world this was all half my
that from the world this was all half my
that from the world this was all half my lifetime ago now but I wouldn’t have
lifetime ago now but I wouldn’t have
lifetime ago now but I wouldn’t have made it through without this care and
made it through without this care and
made it through without this care and support but this wasn’t guaranteed in
support but this wasn’t guaranteed in
support but this wasn’t guaranteed in fact
fact
fact the traditional mental health services I
the traditional mental health services I
the traditional mental health services I originally saw I found that this was
originally saw I found that this was
originally saw I found that this was lacking the psychiatrists I thought saw
lacking the psychiatrists I thought saw
lacking the psychiatrists I thought saw me just merely as a number and it was
me just merely as a number and it was
me just merely as a number and it was hard for a lot of the people in my
hard for a lot of the people in my
hard for a lot of the people in my community to really be there for me in
community to really be there for me in
community to really be there for me in the way that I needed because of the
the way that I needed because of the
the way that I needed because of the lack of awareness and understanding
lack of awareness and understanding
lack of awareness and understanding about mental illness because I never
about mental illness because I never
about mental illness because I never told anyone about my diagnosis or what I
told anyone about my diagnosis or what I
told anyone about my diagnosis or what I was going through internally because of
was going through internally because of
was going through internally because of the stigma attached hence I could
the stigma attached hence I could
the stigma attached hence I could already see as a 14 year old that we
already see as a 14 year old that we
already see as a 14 year old that we needed a radical shift in our mental
needed a radical shift in our mental
needed a radical shift in our mental health systems there was a need for a
health systems there was a need for a
health systems there was a need for a radical shift in how we’re given tools
radical shift in how we’re given tools
radical shift in how we’re given tools and support to connect to ourselves and
and support to connect to ourselves and
and support to connect to ourselves and each other but I couldn’t see back then
each other but I couldn’t see back then
each other but I couldn’t see back then how we could do this at a systems level
how we could do this at a systems level
how we could do this at a systems level how we could put programs in place that
how we could put programs in place that
how we could put programs in place that enabled everyone to get the community of
enabled everyone to get the community of
enabled everyone to get the community of care that they needed for the opposite
care that they needed for the opposite
care that they needed for the opposite of this fear is love however all these
of this fear is love however all these
of this fear is love however all these years later despite some progress being
years later despite some progress being
years later despite some progress being made we’re still at a crisis point with
made we’re still at a crisis point with
made we’re still at a crisis point with mental health systems strained around
mental health systems strained around
mental health systems strained around the world this is especially true in low
the world this is especially true in low
the world this is especially true in low and middle income countries where
and middle income countries where
and middle income countries where there’s 90 percent of the need and only
there’s 90 percent of the need and only
there’s 90 percent of the need and only 10 percent of the resources available by
10 percent of the resources available by
10 percent of the resources available by 2030 depression is set to be the leading
2030 depression is set to be the leading
2030 depression is set to be the leading cause of disease burden globally one in
cause of disease burden globally one in
cause of disease burden globally one in four University UK undergrads will go
four University UK undergrads will go
four University UK undergrads will go through a mental illness is assumed that
through a mental illness is assumed that
through a mental illness is assumed that forty five percent of us will go through
forty five percent of us will go through
forty five percent of us will go through some mental health issue in our lifetime
some mental health issue in our lifetime
some mental health issue in our lifetime and hence through our relationships all
and hence through our relationships all
and hence through our relationships all of us are affected and so it might be
of us are affected and so it might be
of us are affected and so it might be odd that despite this ubiquity many feet
odd that despite this ubiquity many feet
odd that despite this ubiquity many feet people still feel alone when they go
people still feel alone when they go
people still feel alone when they go through a struggle and I believe this is
through a struggle and I believe this is
through a struggle and I believe this is because despite this ubiquity there’s
because despite this ubiquity there’s
because despite this ubiquity there’s still enormous discomfort for many of us
still enormous discomfort for many of us
still enormous discomfort for many of us to talk about or even think about mental
to talk about or even think about mental
to talk about or even think about mental illness so what can we do research by
illness so what can we do research by
illness so what can we do research by the palek foundation has found that many
the palek foundation has found that many
the palek foundation has found that many people still see mental illness as a
people still see mental illness as a
people still see mental illness as a character flaw the sufferers just need
character flaw the sufferers just need
character flaw the sufferers just need to pull themselves up by their
to pull themselves up by their
to pull themselves up by their bootstraps and get on with it this was
bootstraps and get on with it this was
bootstraps and get on with it this was supported by the movies watch as
supported by the movies watch as
supported by the movies watch as children where an individual hero’s
children where an individual hero’s
children where an individual hero’s struggles to rise above their
struggles to rise above their
struggles to rise above their circumstances through their sheer
circumstances through their sheer
circumstances through their sheer willpower alone
willpower alone
willpower alone I think sufferers of many chronic
I think sufferers of many chronic
I think sufferers of many chronic illnesses will recognize these comments
illnesses will recognize these comments
illnesses will recognize these comments and perceptions but I believe sufferers
and perceptions but I believe sufferers
and perceptions but I believe sufferers of mental illness
of mental illness
of mental illness ticular because it can be really hard
ticular because it can be really hard
ticular because it can be really hard for people to separate the person from
for people to separate the person from
for people to separate the person from the illness and this associated stigma
the illness and this associated stigma
the illness and this associated stigma and discrimination can really exacerbate
and discrimination can really exacerbate
and discrimination can really exacerbate symptoms and make recovery harder for
symptoms and make recovery harder for
symptoms and make recovery harder for people going through it so we have some
people going through it so we have some
people going through it so we have some challenges and as a society how are we
challenges and as a society how are we
challenges and as a society how are we going to manage these challenges and
going to manage these challenges and
going to manage these challenges and what are we going to do when they affect
what are we going to do when they affect
what are we going to do when they affect us on a personal level fortunately there
us on a personal level fortunately there
us on a personal level fortunately there is a revolution going on and that
is a revolution going on and that
is a revolution going on and that revolution has connection at its heart
revolution has connection at its heart
revolution has connection at its heart science is showing that having healthy
science is showing that having healthy
science is showing that having healthy relationships during development
relationships during development
relationships during development actually helps build the foundation of a
actually helps build the foundation of a
actually helps build the foundation of a healthy brain but feeling accepted being
healthy brain but feeling accepted being
healthy brain but feeling accepted being seen being loved being good enough
seen being loved being good enough
seen being loved being good enough actually shapes our brains and can save
actually shapes our brains and can save
actually shapes our brains and can save lives it is increasingly apparent it’s
lives it is increasingly apparent it’s
lives it is increasingly apparent it’s not this individual hero struggling to
not this individual hero struggling to
not this individual hero struggling to rise above their circumstances through
rise above their circumstances through
rise above their circumstances through willpower alone or snapping out of it
willpower alone or snapping out of it
willpower alone or snapping out of it that’s needed to conquer addiction and
that’s needed to conquer addiction and
that’s needed to conquer addiction and mental illness instead it’s this power
mental illness instead it’s this power
mental illness instead it’s this power of community it’s the power of
of community it’s the power of
of community it’s the power of connection this is what helps us heal
connection this is what helps us heal
connection this is what helps us heal and moreover this is what helps us build
and moreover this is what helps us build
and moreover this is what helps us build brains that are resilient to life
brains that are resilient to life
brains that are resilient to life challenges and help us succeed in all
challenges and help us succeed in all
challenges and help us succeed in all measurable life outcomes so how are we
measurable life outcomes so how are we
measurable life outcomes so how are we going to build these connected
going to build these connected
going to build these connected communities well there’s three key ways
communities well there’s three key ways
communities well there’s three key ways that I can see first of all we can start
that I can see first of all we can start
that I can see first of all we can start to invest in physical communities we can
to invest in physical communities we can
to invest in physical communities we can start to build programs that educate
start to build programs that educate
start to build programs that educate that challenge misconceptions about
that challenge misconceptions about
that challenge misconceptions about mental illness and also start to build
mental illness and also start to build
mental illness and also start to build the tools and enable young people to be
the tools and enable young people to be
the tools and enable young people to be able to help themselves and others
able to help themselves and others
able to help themselves and others secondly we can use the scalable power
secondly we can use the scalable power
secondly we can use the scalable power of technology to start to bring
of technology to start to bring
of technology to start to bring resources and a community of care to
resources and a community of care to
resources and a community of care to those who might not be able to access it
those who might not be able to access it
those who might not be able to access it in their immediate environment and
in their immediate environment and
in their immediate environment and thirdly we can use our individual power
thirdly we can use our individual power
thirdly we can use our individual power we can start to educate ourselves to see
we can start to educate ourselves to see
we can start to educate ourselves to see Beyond and second question when we see
Beyond and second question when we see
Beyond and second question when we see someone with odd behaviors to start to
someone with odd behaviors to start to
someone with odd behaviors to start to wonder what’s going on inside and start
wonder what’s going on inside and start
wonder what’s going on inside and start to equip ourselves with the tools so
to equip ourselves with the tools so
to equip ourselves with the tools so that we can help them if they reach out
that we can help them if they reach out
that we can help them if they reach out to us so I want to give you some
to us so I want to give you some
to us so I want to give you some examples now of organizations that are
examples now of organizations that are
examples now of organizations that are already doing some of these things to
already doing some of these things to
already doing some of these things to show you how important it is and what
show you how important it is and what
show you how important it is and what more we can do sir connection huh we’re
more we can do sir connection huh we’re
more we can do sir connection huh we’re humans most of us know naturally how to
humans most of us know naturally how to
humans most of us know naturally how to connect it’s part of what makes us human
connect it’s part of what makes us human
connect it’s part of what makes us human but these are also skills that can be
but these are also skills that can be
but these are also skills that can be taught we can teach people how to
taught we can teach people how to
taught we can teach people how to articulate their internal experiences
articulate their internal experiences
articulate their internal experiences manage their emotions and be there for
manage their emotions and be there for
manage their emotions and be there for others when they’re doing the same we
others when they’re doing the same we
others when they’re doing the same we can start to demystify mental illness
can start to demystify mental illness
can start to demystify mental illness and the brain science behind it show you
and the brain science behind it show you
and the brain science behind it show you people that they’re more than a
people that they’re more than a
people that they’re more than a diagnosis and that this is not a
diagnosis and that this is not a
diagnosis and that this is not a sentence to a life of fewer suffering we
sentence to a life of fewer suffering we
sentence to a life of fewer suffering we can also start to build what we call
can also start to build what we call
can also start to build what we call executive function skills in children
executive function skills in children
executive function skills in children these are the cognitive toolkits of
these are the cognitive toolkits of
these are the cognitive toolkits of working memory stop and think skills
working memory stop and think skills
working memory stop and think skills inhibition control and flexible thinking
inhibition control and flexible thinking
inhibition control and flexible thinking that predict our success in a range of
that predict our success in a range of
that predict our success in a range of things across our lifespan from
things across our lifespan from
things across our lifespan from relationships career and health so
relationships career and health so
relationships career and health so there’s some organizations that are
there’s some organizations that are
there’s some organizations that are doing just this in our local environment
doing just this in our local environment
doing just this in our local environment one of them is the dot B project by the
one of them is the dot B project by the
one of them is the dot B project by the oxford mindfulness Center they work to
oxford mindfulness Center they work to
oxford mindfulness Center they work to teach mindfulness in schools to give
teach mindfulness in schools to give
teach mindfulness in schools to give kids some of the skills that they can
kids some of the skills that they can
kids some of the skills that they can stop and sink and take control when
stop and sink and take control when
stop and sink and take control when something’s happening in their life
something’s happening in their life
something’s happening in their life another program that I’ve worked with is
another program that I’ve worked with is
another program that I’ve worked with is place to be place to be an amazing
place to be place to be an amazing
place to be place to be an amazing organization who provides specialists
organization who provides specialists
organization who provides specialists highly trained independent counselors to
highly trained independent counselors to
highly trained independent counselors to school sometimes in really disadvantaged
school sometimes in really disadvantaged
school sometimes in really disadvantaged areas so some of the kids in these
areas so some of the kids in these
areas so some of the kids in these schools come from backgrounds where
schools come from backgrounds where
schools come from backgrounds where there’s neglect family breakdown
there’s neglect family breakdown
there’s neglect family breakdown violence bullying and other traumas and
violence bullying and other traumas and
violence bullying and other traumas and this creates complex behavioral and
this creates complex behavioral and
this creates complex behavioral and social and mental health issues and we
social and mental health issues and we
social and mental health issues and we know that kids in some of these
know that kids in some of these
know that kids in some of these situations then tend to go on to develop
situations then tend to go on to develop
situations then tend to go on to develop other issues that lead to a downward
other issues that lead to a downward
other issues that lead to a downward spiral they can end up in our prisons
spiral they can end up in our prisons
spiral they can end up in our prisons and our hospitals and we can deal with
and our hospitals and we can deal with
and our hospitals and we can deal with these problems later on we can deal with
these problems later on we can deal with
these problems later on we can deal with them then or in the next generation
them then or in the next generation
them then or in the next generation well what place to be does is by having
well what place to be does is by having
well what place to be does is by having this early intervention by giving
this early intervention by giving
this early intervention by giving independently the parents the children
independently the parents the children
independently the parents the children and the teachers someone dependable to
and the teachers someone dependable to
and the teachers someone dependable to talk to you by normalizing the process
talk to you by normalizing the process
talk to you by normalizing the process of seeking help and support by giving
of seeking help and support by giving
of seeking help and support by giving kids these place to talk slips where
kids these place to talk slips where
kids these place to talk slips where they can ask to have a chat to someone
they can ask to have a chat to someone
they can ask to have a chat to someone and they do the take up is huge by doing
and they do the take up is huge by doing
and they do the take up is huge by doing this that
this that
this that changing things for this generation I
changing things for this generation I
changing things for this generation I went to one of their schools last year
went to one of their schools last year
went to one of their schools last year and was really blown away that there was
and was really blown away that there was
and was really blown away that there was these little kids running up to me and
these little kids running up to me and
these little kids running up to me and when I chatted to them they were really
when I chatted to them they were really
when I chatted to them they were really excited to tell me how talking to
excited to tell me how talking to
excited to tell me how talking to Angelica had helped them be able to
Angelica had helped them be able to
Angelica had helped them be able to share their feelings with their friends
share their feelings with their friends
share their feelings with their friends now these were seven year old boys who
now these were seven year old boys who
now these were seven year old boys who were really excited and proud to be
were really excited and proud to be
were really excited and proud to be telling me they were talking about their
telling me they were talking about their
telling me they were talking about their feelings and this is the kind of shift
feelings and this is the kind of shift
feelings and this is the kind of shift that could make a real change in their
that could make a real change in their
that could make a real change in their difficult young lives and we see this in
difficult young lives and we see this in
difficult young lives and we see this in the evidence too so for place to be 74%
the evidence too so for place to be 74%
the evidence too so for place to be 74% of parents using the service say it
of parents using the service say it
of parents using the service say it significantly improves their home lives
significantly improves their home lives
significantly improves their home lives well 76 percent of teachers and 88
well 76 percent of teachers and 88
well 76 percent of teachers and 88 percent of children say that it’s
percent of children say that it’s
percent of children say that it’s shifted their behavioral and social and
shifted their behavioral and social and
shifted their behavioral and social and learning issues in the classroom and
learning issues in the classroom and
learning issues in the classroom and this flows on into the rest of their
this flows on into the rest of their
this flows on into the rest of their lives an independent analysis showed
lives an independent analysis showed
lives an independent analysis showed that for every one pounds that they
that for every one pounds that they
that for every one pounds that they place to be today there’s an estimated
place to be today there’s an estimated
place to be today there’s an estimated saving of six pounds to society later on
saving of six pounds to society later on
saving of six pounds to society later on savings in our education or criminal
savings in our education or criminal
savings in our education or criminal justice systems and when we have
justice systems and when we have
justice systems and when we have straining mental health budgets and
straining mental health budgets and
straining mental health budgets and straining budgets in general these kind
straining budgets in general these kind
straining budgets in general these kind of early interventions these investments
of early interventions these investments
of early interventions these investments in community or something that’s really
in community or something that’s really
in community or something that’s really underutilized as one final example of
underutilized as one final example of
underutilized as one final example of what we can do in physical communities
what we can do in physical communities
what we can do in physical communities the Alberta family wellness initiative
the Alberta family wellness initiative
the Alberta family wellness initiative starts to translate some of the brain
starts to translate some of the brain
starts to translate some of the brain science I was talking about about how we
science I was talking about about how we
science I was talking about about how we can build healthy brains through human
can build healthy brains through human
can build healthy brains through human connection they teach this to whole
connection they teach this to whole
connection they teach this to whole communities policymakers families
communities policymakers families
communities policymakers families teachers and this has been so successful
teachers and this has been so successful
teachers and this has been so successful at transforming these communities giving
at transforming these communities giving
at transforming these communities giving them emotional resilience and giving
them emotional resilience and giving
them emotional resilience and giving them the tools to embrace people
them the tools to embrace people
them the tools to embrace people suffering rather than shutting them away
suffering rather than shutting them away
suffering rather than shutting them away with stigmatization that just
with stigmatization that just
with stigmatization that just exacerbates issues rather than heals and
exacerbates issues rather than heals and
exacerbates issues rather than heals and because of this now the Alberta
because of this now the Alberta
because of this now the Alberta government has enshrined this in policy
government has enshrined this in policy
government has enshrined this in policy so they’re saying that this is so
so they’re saying that this is so
so they’re saying that this is so successful that every human service
successful that every human service
successful that every human service provider has to be fluent in this brain
provider has to be fluent in this brain
provider has to be fluent in this brain science or at least how to translate it
science or at least how to translate it
science or at least how to translate it into their work to enable human
into their work to enable human
into their work to enable human connection in their communities so what
connection in their communities so what
connection in their communities so what can we do with our online communities
can we do with our online communities
can we do with our online communities well one example comes from an
well one example comes from an
well one example comes from an organization that I’ve been working with
organization that I’ve been working with
organization that I’ve been working with and helping to establish with fellow
and helping to establish with fellow
and helping to establish with fellow Oxford students it’s called it gets
Oxford students it’s called it gets
Oxford students it’s called it gets brighter and it’s a charity dead
brighter and it’s a charity dead
brighter and it’s a charity dead to sharing messages of hope and support
to sharing messages of hope and support
to sharing messages of hope and support to young people struggling with mental
to young people struggling with mental
to young people struggling with mental health issues it’s the kind of thing I
health issues it’s the kind of thing I
health issues it’s the kind of thing I might have wanted when I was 14 and just
might have wanted when I was 14 and just
might have wanted when I was 14 and just showing me that I’m not alone and to
showing me that I’m not alone and to
showing me that I’m not alone and to show me that there was genuine cause for
show me that there was genuine cause for
show me that there was genuine cause for hope even if I didn’t feel that at the
hope even if I didn’t feel that at the
hope even if I didn’t feel that at the time we’ve had video messages come from
time we’ve had video messages come from
time we’ve had video messages come from all over the world from Egypt China
all over the world from Egypt China
all over the world from Egypt China Australia the US Canada Lebanon and many
Australia the US Canada Lebanon and many
Australia the US Canada Lebanon and many others as well as indigenous communities
others as well as indigenous communities
others as well as indigenous communities we’ve had people reaching out to us to
we’ve had people reaching out to us to
we’ve had people reaching out to us to thank us for what a difference either
thank us for what a difference either
thank us for what a difference either sharing their story or watching these
sharing their story or watching these
sharing their story or watching these video messages has had on their lives
video messages has had on their lives
video messages has had on their lives I’m always so blown away by these people
I’m always so blown away by these people
I’m always so blown away by these people showing their strength in their
showing their strength in their
showing their strength in their vulnerability something else we can do
vulnerability something else we can do
vulnerability something else we can do with the increasing ubiquity of mobile
with the increasing ubiquity of mobile
with the increasing ubiquity of mobile phone technologies in vulnerable
phone technologies in vulnerable
phone technologies in vulnerable communities like refugees and low and
communities like refugees and low and
communities like refugees and low and middle-income countries is that we can
middle-income countries is that we can
middle-income countries is that we can use this technology to enable us to
use this technology to enable us to
use this technology to enable us to provide them with mental health
provide them with mental health
provide them with mental health resources that they might not otherwise
resources that they might not otherwise
resources that they might not otherwise be able to access so there are people
be able to access so there are people
be able to access so there are people now working to provide ways to monitor
now working to provide ways to monitor
now working to provide ways to monitor people’s health and to give them the
people’s health and to give them the
people’s health and to give them the resources they might need to educate
resources they might need to educate
resources they might need to educate community aid workers so then when they
community aid workers so then when they
community aid workers so then when they go into communities they have the stuff
go into communities they have the stuff
go into communities they have the stuff on their phones so they can help
on their phones so they can help
on their phones so they can help diagnose and help support people and
diagnose and help support people and
diagnose and help support people and also educate them through these kind of
also educate them through these kind of
also educate them through these kind of video messages of hope so I’m really
video messages of hope so I’m really
video messages of hope so I’m really excited about the power of technology to
excited about the power of technology to
excited about the power of technology to help create these communities around the
help create these communities around the
help create these communities around the world but what can we do everyone
world but what can we do everyone
world but what can we do everyone sitting here everyone watching online as
sitting here everyone watching online as
sitting here everyone watching online as individuals I know it’s gonna sound
individuals I know it’s gonna sound
individuals I know it’s gonna sound really cliche now but you really do
really cliche now but you really do
really cliche now but you really do never know your power as an individual
never know your power as an individual
never know your power as an individual to be able to connect to someone and
to be able to connect to someone and
to be able to connect to someone and change their life as an example in 2008
change their life as an example in 2008
change their life as an example in 2008 my friend Johnny Benjamin was diagnosed
my friend Johnny Benjamin was diagnosed
my friend Johnny Benjamin was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder at the
with schizoaffective disorder at the
with schizoaffective disorder at the time he then felt that his situation was
time he then felt that his situation was
time he then felt that his situation was so hopeless there was so little chance
so hopeless there was so little chance
so hopeless there was so little chance of him having a good life and him being
of him having a good life and him being
of him having a good life and him being anything other than a burden on society
anything other than a burden on society
anything other than a burden on society so he was standing on a bridge in London
so he was standing on a bridge in London
so he was standing on a bridge in London ready to jump his story could well have
ready to jump his story could well have
ready to jump his story could well have ended there but a man walking by a
ended there but a man walking by a
ended there but a man walking by a stranger did the hard but simple act of
stranger did the hard but simple act of
stranger did the hard but simple act of stopping to chat so Johnny
stopping to chat so Johnny
stopping to chat so Johnny he reached out when others might have
he reached out when others might have
he reached out when others might have walked by and he made a connection he
walked by and he made a connection he
walked by and he made a connection he invited Johnny to have a coffee with him
invited Johnny to have a coffee with him
invited Johnny to have a coffee with him this simple act is what Johnny credits
this simple act is what Johnny credits
this simple act is what Johnny credits were saving his life today Johnny is an
were saving his life today Johnny is an
were saving his life today Johnny is an incredible video producer and wonderful
incredible video producer and wonderful
incredible video producer and wonderful human being and I’m so glad that he’s
human being and I’m so glad that he’s
human being and I’m so glad that he’s still with us if we can do all of these
still with us if we can do all of these
still with us if we can do all of these things if we can invest in our physical
things if we can invest in our physical
things if we can invest in our physical communities our online communities and
communities our online communities and
communities our online communities and his work as individuals we’re not only
his work as individuals we’re not only
his work as individuals we’re not only going to create a generation that cares
going to create a generation that cares
going to create a generation that cares about mental illness but also
about mental illness but also
about mental illness but also revolutionize mental health the World
revolutionize mental health the World
revolutionize mental health the World Health Organization Constitution
Health Organization Constitution
Health Organization Constitution preamble states that health is not
preamble states that health is not
preamble states that health is not merely the absence of illness but rather
merely the absence of illness but rather
merely the absence of illness but rather a state of complete social mental and
a state of complete social mental and
a state of complete social mental and physical well-being and hence it’s not
physical well-being and hence it’s not
physical well-being and hence it’s not really merely the absence of illness
really merely the absence of illness
really merely the absence of illness that promotes and provides mental health
that promotes and provides mental health
that promotes and provides mental health the science is showing that we’ve invest
the science is showing that we’ve invest
the science is showing that we’ve invest in teaching and equipping kids with the
in teaching and equipping kids with the
in teaching and equipping kids with the skills of emotional resilience of
skills of emotional resilience of
skills of emotional resilience of developing their executive function
developing their executive function
developing their executive function skills not only will we build brains
skills not only will we build brains
skills not only will we build brains that are more resilient to these life
that are more resilient to these life
that are more resilient to these life challenges but also do better in all
challenges but also do better in all
challenges but also do better in all measureable life outcomes and this is
measureable life outcomes and this is
measureable life outcomes and this is backed up by things like the Harvard
backed up by things like the Harvard
backed up by things like the Harvard grant study many of you might have heard
grant study many of you might have heard
grant study many of you might have heard of it because they look for 75 years at
of it because they look for 75 years at
of it because they look for 75 years at 268 men so overall their their whole
268 men so overall their their whole
268 men so overall their their whole life basically and measured all aspects
life basically and measured all aspects
life basically and measured all aspects of their life to try and understand what
of their life to try and understand what
of their life to try and understand what made a good healthy happy long life and
made a good healthy happy long life and
made a good healthy happy long life and what they found their secret for you’re
what they found their secret for you’re
what they found their secret for you’re down to one thing
down to one thing
down to one thing meaningful human connection and I also
meaningful human connection and I also
meaningful human connection and I also argue that if we equip people to be able
argue that if we equip people to be able
argue that if we equip people to be able to internalize their experiences manage
to internalize their experiences manage
to internalize their experiences manage their emotions and know that others will
their emotions and know that others will
their emotions and know that others will be there for them when they do then we
be there for them when they do then we
be there for them when they do then we might be able to start to tackle some of
might be able to start to tackle some of
might be able to start to tackle some of the higher rates of male suicide and
the higher rates of male suicide and
the higher rates of male suicide and violence in our communities as an aside
violence in our communities as an aside
violence in our communities as an aside I’m a DPhil student here in clinical
I’m a DPhil student here in clinical
I’m a DPhil student here in clinical neuroscience and I look at trying to
neuroscience and I look at trying to
neuroscience and I look at trying to understand the brain basis for anxiety
understand the brain basis for anxiety
understand the brain basis for anxiety disorders so when I argue for this
disorders so when I argue for this
disorders so when I argue for this community basis for mental health of
community basis for mental health of
community basis for mental health of educated and inspiring people in this
educated and inspiring people in this
educated and inspiring people in this way I’m not saying we shouldn’t invest
way I’m not saying we shouldn’t invest
way I’m not saying we shouldn’t invest in more research and better treatments
in more research and better treatments
in more research and better treatments we definitely should we definitely need
we definitely should we definitely need
we definitely should we definitely need that
that
that but I think that they go hand in hand
but I think that they go hand in hand
but I think that they go hand in hand it’s my hope that as we start to
it’s my hope that as we start to
it’s my hope that as we start to understand the biological basis of
understand the biological basis of
understand the biological basis of mental illness if we’re able to educate
mental illness if we’re able to educate
mental illness if we’re able to educate and spread that through our communities
and spread that through our communities
and spread that through our communities we’ll start to reduce the stigma in the
we’ll start to reduce the stigma in the
we’ll start to reduce the stigma in the way we did with cancer so people used to
way we did with cancer so people used to
way we did with cancer so people used to think of cancer as this moral failing
think of cancer as this moral failing
think of cancer as this moral failing but people might have got it because
but people might have got it because
but people might have got it because there was something a bit wrong with
there was something a bit wrong with
there was something a bit wrong with their character and that it might be
their character and that it might be
their character and that it might be contagious so you better stay away once
contagious so you better stay away once
contagious so you better stay away once we understood the biological basis we
we understood the biological basis we
we understood the biological basis we started to change this misconception and
started to change this misconception and
started to change this misconception and be able to start to celebrate people who
be able to start to celebrate people who
be able to start to celebrate people who struggled with us for their strength and
struggled with us for their strength and
struggled with us for their strength and support them much better and I hope we
support them much better and I hope we
support them much better and I hope we can do this with mental illness too so I
can do this with mental illness too so I
can do this with mental illness too so I think they go hand in hand but even if
think they go hand in hand but even if
think they go hand in hand but even if we have better treatments that’s not
we have better treatments that’s not
we have better treatments that’s not enough we need to create this community
enough we need to create this community
enough we need to create this community that can care for people going through
that can care for people going through
that can care for people going through it because if we have a great treatment
it because if we have a great treatment
it because if we have a great treatment but someone comes out of it and doesn’t
but someone comes out of it and doesn’t
but someone comes out of it and doesn’t feel like their identity is more than
feel like their identity is more than
feel like their identity is more than their illness or they’re not accepted by
their illness or they’re not accepted by
their illness or they’re not accepted by their society we still will have failed
their society we still will have failed
their society we still will have failed if we have a great treatment but we
if we have a great treatment but we
if we have a great treatment but we can’t get someone to go to it because of
can’t get someone to go to it because of
can’t get someone to go to it because of the stigma attached we still will have
the stigma attached we still will have
the stigma attached we still will have failed to do this we need you we need
failed to do this we need you we need
failed to do this we need you we need you to start to advocate for better
you to start to advocate for better
you to start to advocate for better programs in our physical communities to
programs in our physical communities to
programs in our physical communities to teach people and equip them with the
teach people and equip them with the
teach people and equip them with the skills they need to manage their own and
skills they need to manage their own and
skills they need to manage their own and others mental health we need you to
others mental health we need you to
others mental health we need you to invest in online communities spread
invest in online communities spread
invest in online communities spread these messages of hope and support and
these messages of hope and support and
these messages of hope and support and work as an individual to educate
work as an individual to educate
work as an individual to educate yourself to start to question people’s
yourself to start to question people’s
yourself to start to question people’s behavior start to look past and trying
behavior start to look past and trying
behavior start to look past and trying to understand their experiences to know
to understand their experiences to know
to understand their experiences to know what to do if someone comes to you with
what to do if someone comes to you with
what to do if someone comes to you with a problem if you can try and share your
a problem if you can try and share your
a problem if you can try and share your story – I know it’s tricky all the
story – I know it’s tricky all the
story – I know it’s tricky all the barriers that existed – talking about my
barriers that existed – talking about my
barriers that existed – talking about my mental illness back then still exists
mental illness back then still exists
mental illness back then still exists for me today concerns over future career
for me today concerns over future career
for me today concerns over future career prospects or people treating you or
prospects or people treating you or
prospects or people treating you or thinking of you differently when they
thinking of you differently when they
thinking of you differently when they find out but research shows that the
find out but research shows that the
find out but research shows that the best tool we have at the moment to
best tool we have at the moment to
best tool we have at the moment to challenge misconceptions and change
challenge misconceptions and change
challenge misconceptions and change people’s minds is by people being open
people’s minds is by people being open
people’s minds is by people being open about them into illness so it’s hard but
about them into illness so it’s hard but
about them into illness so it’s hard but I believe it’s worth it
I believe it’s worth it
I believe it’s worth it it is weird for me to be standing here
it is weird for me to be standing here
it is weird for me to be standing here not only because I’m giving a TEDx talk
not only because I’m giving a TEDx talk
not only because I’m giving a TEDx talk for crying out loud
for crying out loud
for crying out loud but also because
but also because
but also because talking about mental illness like this
talking about mental illness like this
talking about mental illness like this isn’t something I ever thought I would
isn’t something I ever thought I would
isn’t something I ever thought I would do when I was younger and not only
do when I was younger and not only
do when I was younger and not only because of this potential embarrassment
because of this potential embarrassment
because of this potential embarrassment in fact now I think we should celebrate
in fact now I think we should celebrate
in fact now I think we should celebrate people for their strengths but also
people for their strengths but also
people for their strengths but also because it’s not part of my identity
because it’s not part of my identity
because it’s not part of my identity anymore and I don’t want it to be I feel
anymore and I don’t want it to be I feel
anymore and I don’t want it to be I feel like I should be talking about how to
like I should be talking about how to
like I should be talking about how to save the Great Barrier Reef or the
save the Great Barrier Reef or the
save the Great Barrier Reef or the neuroscience of attention and I think
neuroscience of attention and I think
neuroscience of attention and I think this is what anyone going through any
this is what anyone going through any
this is what anyone going through any illness wants to in my experience to be
illness wants to in my experience to be
illness wants to in my experience to be seen as well for all the other things
seen as well for all the other things
seen as well for all the other things that they are to know that it’s okay to
that they are to know that it’s okay to
that they are to know that it’s okay to not be okay that we are enough the
not be okay that we are enough the
not be okay that we are enough the evidence is increasingly clear is there
evidence is increasingly clear is there
evidence is increasingly clear is there in the science and it’s there in the
in the science and it’s there in the
in the science and it’s there in the success of community-based mental health
success of community-based mental health
success of community-based mental health interventions what the world needs now
interventions what the world needs now
interventions what the world needs now is perhaps indeed just a little more
is perhaps indeed just a little more
is perhaps indeed just a little more love thank you
love thank you
love thank you [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] our friends are the people we can talk
our friends are the people we can talk
our friends are the people we can talk to about well pretty much anything
to about well pretty much anything
to about well pretty much anything what’s frustrating or great about our
what’s frustrating or great about our
what’s frustrating or great about our jobs our partner our lecturer about that
jobs our partner our lecturer about that
jobs our partner our lecturer about that new movie that’s just come out well the
new movie that’s just come out well the
new movie that’s just come out well the hike we did last weekend the trip we’re
hike we did last weekend the trip we’re
hike we did last weekend the trip we’re dreaming of taking or how about silly
dreaming of taking or how about silly
dreaming of taking or how about silly scene from friends makes us laugh so
scene from friends makes us laugh so
scene from friends makes us laugh so hard but what would we do if a friend
hard but what would we do if a friend
hard but what would we do if a friend came to us and told us that they were
came to us and told us that they were
came to us and told us that they were struggling to get out of bed in the
struggling to get out of bed in the
struggling to get out of bed in the morning or that they’d been up all night
morning or that they’d been up all night
morning or that they’d been up all night having panic attacks what do you feel
having panic attacks what do you feel
having panic attacks what do you feel discomfort at this revelation because
discomfort at this revelation because
discomfort at this revelation because he’d be uncertain about how to respond
he’d be uncertain about how to respond
he’d be uncertain about how to respond or worried about saying the wrong thing
or worried about saying the wrong thing
or worried about saying the wrong thing or just a bit annoyed that they’re
or just a bit annoyed that they’re
or just a bit annoyed that they’re throwing off your mojo when you’d rather
throwing off your mojo when you’d rather
throwing off your mojo when you’d rather to talk about other things or what would
to talk about other things or what would
to talk about other things or what would you do if you were going through
you do if you were going through
you do if you were going through something yourself do you think you’d be
something yourself do you think you’d be
something yourself do you think you’d be okay to speak to someone about it well
okay to speak to someone about it well
okay to speak to someone about it well might you to feel worried worried about
might you to feel worried worried about
might you to feel worried worried about being a burden on someone or worried
being a burden on someone or worried
being a burden on someone or worried that if you said something you’d be put
that if you said something you’d be put
that if you said something you’d be put in a box labeled crazy with your
in a box labeled crazy with your
in a box labeled crazy with your identity forever altered these are some
identity forever altered these are some
identity forever altered these are some of the thoughts that I had when I was 14
of the thoughts that I had when I was 14
of the thoughts that I had when I was 14 years old and freshly diagnosed with OCD
years old and freshly diagnosed with OCD
years old and freshly diagnosed with OCD obsessive-compulsive disorder
obsessive-compulsive disorder
obsessive-compulsive disorder I grew up in the bushland in the
I grew up in the bushland in the
I grew up in the bushland in the Adelaide Hills the eldest of five girls
Adelaide Hills the eldest of five girls
Adelaide Hills the eldest of five girls enjoying playing with my pets doing well
enjoying playing with my pets doing well
enjoying playing with my pets doing well in school and you know dreaming of
in school and you know dreaming of
in school and you know dreaming of becoming a vet or an author and saving
becoming a vet or an author and saving
becoming a vet or an author and saving the environment in my perception back
the environment in my perception back
the environment in my perception back then mental illness was for someone in a
then mental illness was for someone in a
then mental illness was for someone in a straightjacket in an asylum seeing a
straightjacket in an asylum seeing a
straightjacket in an asylum seeing a psychiatrist was for the irredeemably
psychiatrist was for the irredeemably
psychiatrist was for the irredeemably insane not for a 14 year old girl and
insane not for a 14 year old girl and
insane not for a 14 year old girl and certainly not for perfectionist me and
certainly not for perfectionist me and
certainly not for perfectionist me and hence in my worldview this diagnosis was
hence in my worldview this diagnosis was
hence in my worldview this diagnosis was shattering it was identity shattering
shattering it was identity shattering
shattering it was identity shattering for not only was i living in this hell
for not only was i living in this hell
for not only was i living in this hell in my own head and struggling with the
in my own head and struggling with the
in my own head and struggling with the symptoms but I had to live with the fear
symptoms but I had to live with the fear
symptoms but I had to live with the fear and a certainty that people might treat
and a certainty that people might treat
and a certainty that people might treat me differently if they found out to feel
me differently if they found out to feel
me differently if they found out to feel like I was put in this box with a crazy
like I was put in this box with a crazy
like I was put in this box with a crazy label on it I thought I might never
label on it I thought I might never
label on it I thought I might never escape from it I thought that all these
escape from it I thought that all these
escape from it I thought that all these other things that made me
other things that made me
other things that made me mo we’re just lost in a world where
mo we’re just lost in a world where
mo we’re just lost in a world where psychiatrists focus solely on my
psychiatrists focus solely on my
psychiatrists focus solely on my symptoms going through this at a young
symptoms going through this at a young
symptoms going through this at a young age actually also made me realize a
age actually also made me realize a
age actually also made me realize a couple of things it made me realize that
couple of things it made me realize that
couple of things it made me realize that you never know what someone’s going
you never know what someone’s going
you never know what someone’s going through just by looking at them to see
through just by looking at them to see
through just by looking at them to see past their wood behaviors to know what’s
past their wood behaviors to know what’s
past their wood behaviors to know what’s really happening inside it made me
really happening inside it made me
really happening inside it made me realize how important it is for us to be
realize how important it is for us to be
realize how important it is for us to be gentle and accepting with each other
gentle and accepting with each other
gentle and accepting with each other because what got me through this was the
because what got me through this was the
because what got me through this was the support of a community it was the
support of a community it was the
support of a community it was the community of people like my doctor who I
community of people like my doctor who I
community of people like my doctor who I finally found who saw all the other
finally found who saw all the other
finally found who saw all the other things that I am and helped me see a
things that I am and helped me see a
things that I am and helped me see a future in an identity beyond my illness
future in an identity beyond my illness
future in an identity beyond my illness enough to work to recover and manage it
enough to work to recover and manage it
enough to work to recover and manage it for those who don’t know OCD involves
for those who don’t know OCD involves
for those who don’t know OCD involves space obsessions or these thoughts and
space obsessions or these thoughts and
space obsessions or these thoughts and ideas and worries that go round and
ideas and worries that go round and
ideas and worries that go round and round your head in an endless cycle and
round your head in an endless cycle and
round your head in an endless cycle and compulsions or the rituals and things
compulsions or the rituals and things
compulsions or the rituals and things you do to try and relieve some of the
you do to try and relieve some of the
you do to try and relieve some of the stress of these obsessions and prevent
stress of these obsessions and prevent
stress of these obsessions and prevent something bad happening no matter how
something bad happening no matter how
something bad happening no matter how unlikely that might be so for me
unlikely that might be so for me
unlikely that might be so for me something simple like say touching a bus
something simple like say touching a bus
something simple like say touching a bus Pole there was potentially no matter how
Pole there was potentially no matter how
Pole there was potentially no matter how unlikely contaminated with something
unlikely contaminated with something
unlikely contaminated with something could potentially no matter how unlikely
could potentially no matter how unlikely
could potentially no matter how unlikely go on to get someone else sick and hence
go on to get someone else sick and hence
go on to get someone else sick and hence I had to prevent this at all costs even
I had to prevent this at all costs even
I had to prevent this at all costs even if this meant crazy and over-the-top
if this meant crazy and over-the-top
if this meant crazy and over-the-top cleaning rituals so how did I get
cleaning rituals so how did I get
cleaning rituals so how did I get through this how do I stand here today
through this how do I stand here today
through this how do I stand here today without suffering from OCD anymore it
without suffering from OCD anymore it
without suffering from OCD anymore it was the help of this community the
was the help of this community the
was the help of this community the community of my family who stuck by me
community of my family who stuck by me
community of my family who stuck by me even when it took hours of their coaxing
even when it took hours of their coaxing
even when it took hours of their coaxing and hard work to get through a simple
and hard work to get through a simple
and hard work to get through a simple morning routine and get me to school who
morning routine and get me to school who
morning routine and get me to school who helped me find a doctor that would give
helped me find a doctor that would give
helped me find a doctor that would give me the treatment I needed even when this
me the treatment I needed even when this
me the treatment I needed even when this was wreaking havoc with their lives –
was wreaking havoc with their lives –
was wreaking havoc with their lives – and they didn’t really understand my
and they didn’t really understand my
and they didn’t really understand my behavior the community of a few friends
behavior the community of a few friends
behavior the community of a few friends who stuck by me who treated me the same
who stuck by me who treated me the same
who stuck by me who treated me the same even when my behavior was odd at times I
even when my behavior was odd at times I
even when my behavior was odd at times I can’t tell you how grateful I am to
can’t tell you how grateful I am to
can’t tell you how grateful I am to those people who did something
those people who did something
those people who did something remarkable in the unremarkable by
remarkable in the unremarkable by
remarkable in the unremarkable by connecting and caring in a very normal
connecting and caring in a very normal
connecting and caring in a very normal way when I wasn’t sure I’d still receive
way when I wasn’t sure I’d still receive
way when I wasn’t sure I’d still receive that from the world this was all half my
that from the world this was all half my
that from the world this was all half my lifetime ago now but I wouldn’t have
lifetime ago now but I wouldn’t have
lifetime ago now but I wouldn’t have made it through without this care and
made it through without this care and
made it through without this care and support but this wasn’t guaranteed in
support but this wasn’t guaranteed in
support but this wasn’t guaranteed in fact
fact
fact the traditional mental health services I
the traditional mental health services I
the traditional mental health services I originally saw I found that this was
originally saw I found that this was
originally saw I found that this was lacking the psychiatrists I thought saw
lacking the psychiatrists I thought saw
lacking the psychiatrists I thought saw me just merely as a number and it was
me just merely as a number and it was
me just merely as a number and it was hard for a lot of the people in my
hard for a lot of the people in my
hard for a lot of the people in my community to really be there for me in
community to really be there for me in
community to really be there for me in the way that I needed because of the
the way that I needed because of the
the way that I needed because of the lack of awareness and understanding
lack of awareness and understanding
lack of awareness and understanding about mental illness because I never
about mental illness because I never
about mental illness because I never told anyone about my diagnosis or what I
told anyone about my diagnosis or what I
told anyone about my diagnosis or what I was going through internally because of
was going through internally because of
was going through internally because of the stigma attached hence I could
the stigma attached hence I could
the stigma attached hence I could already see as a 14 year old that we
already see as a 14 year old that we
already see as a 14 year old that we needed a radical shift in our mental
needed a radical shift in our mental
needed a radical shift in our mental health systems there was a need for a
health systems there was a need for a
health systems there was a need for a radical shift in how we’re given tools
radical shift in how we’re given tools
radical shift in how we’re given tools and support to connect to ourselves and
and support to connect to ourselves and
and support to connect to ourselves and each other but I couldn’t see back then
each other but I couldn’t see back then
each other but I couldn’t see back then how we could do this at a systems level
how we could do this at a systems level
how we could do this at a systems level how we could put programs in place that
how we could put programs in place that
how we could put programs in place that enabled everyone to get the community of
enabled everyone to get the community of
enabled everyone to get the community of care that they needed for the opposite
care that they needed for the opposite
care that they needed for the opposite of this fear is love however all these
of this fear is love however all these
of this fear is love however all these years later despite some progress being
years later despite some progress being
years later despite some progress being made we’re still at a crisis point with
made we’re still at a crisis point with
made we’re still at a crisis point with mental health systems strained around
mental health systems strained around
mental health systems strained around the world this is especially true in low
the world this is especially true in low
the world this is especially true in low and middle income countries where
and middle income countries where
and middle income countries where there’s 90 percent of the need and only
there’s 90 percent of the need and only
there’s 90 percent of the need and only 10 percent of the resources available by
10 percent of the resources available by
10 percent of the resources available by 2030 depression is set to be the leading
2030 depression is set to be the leading
2030 depression is set to be the leading cause of disease burden globally one in
cause of disease burden globally one in
cause of disease burden globally one in four University UK undergrads will go
four University UK undergrads will go
four University UK undergrads will go through a mental illness is assumed that
through a mental illness is assumed that
through a mental illness is assumed that forty five percent of us will go through
forty five percent of us will go through
forty five percent of us will go through some mental health issue in our lifetime
some mental health issue in our lifetime
some mental health issue in our lifetime and hence through our relationships all
and hence through our relationships all
and hence through our relationships all of us are affected and so it might be
of us are affected and so it might be
of us are affected and so it might be odd that despite this ubiquity many feet
odd that despite this ubiquity many feet
odd that despite this ubiquity many feet people still feel alone when they go
people still feel alone when they go
people still feel alone when they go through a struggle and I believe this is
through a struggle and I believe this is
through a struggle and I believe this is because despite this ubiquity there’s
because despite this ubiquity there’s
because despite this ubiquity there’s still enormous discomfort for many of us
still enormous discomfort for many of us
still enormous discomfort for many of us to talk about or even think about mental
to talk about or even think about mental
to talk about or even think about mental illness so what can we do research by
illness so what can we do research by
illness so what can we do research by the palek foundation has found that many
the palek foundation has found that many
the palek foundation has found that many people still see mental illness as a
people still see mental illness as a
people still see mental illness as a character flaw the sufferers just need
character flaw the sufferers just need
character flaw the sufferers just need to pull themselves up by their
to pull themselves up by their
to pull themselves up by their bootstraps and get on with it this was
bootstraps and get on with it this was
bootstraps and get on with it this was supported by the movies watch as
supported by the movies watch as
supported by the movies watch as children where an individual hero’s
children where an individual hero’s
children where an individual hero’s struggles to rise above their
struggles to rise above their
struggles to rise above their circumstances through their sheer
circumstances through their sheer
circumstances through their sheer willpower alone
willpower alone
willpower alone I think sufferers of many chronic
I think sufferers of many chronic
I think sufferers of many chronic illnesses will recognize these comments
illnesses will recognize these comments
illnesses will recognize these comments and perceptions but I believe sufferers
and perceptions but I believe sufferers
and perceptions but I believe sufferers of mental illness
of mental illness
of mental illness ticular because it can be really hard
ticular because it can be really hard
ticular because it can be really hard for people to separate the person from
for people to separate the person from
for people to separate the person from the illness and this associated stigma
the illness and this associated stigma
the illness and this associated stigma and discrimination can really exacerbate
and discrimination can really exacerbate
and discrimination can really exacerbate symptoms and make recovery harder for
symptoms and make recovery harder for
symptoms and make recovery harder for people going through it so we have some
people going through it so we have some
people going through it so we have some challenges and as a society how are we
challenges and as a society how are we
challenges and as a society how are we going to manage these challenges and
going to manage these challenges and
going to manage these challenges and what are we going to do when they affect
what are we going to do when they affect
what are we going to do when they affect us on a personal level fortunately there
us on a personal level fortunately there
us on a personal level fortunately there is a revolution going on and that
is a revolution going on and that
is a revolution going on and that revolution has connection at its heart
revolution has connection at its heart
revolution has connection at its heart science is showing that having healthy
science is showing that having healthy
science is showing that having healthy relationships during development
relationships during development
relationships during development actually helps build the foundation of a
actually helps build the foundation of a
actually helps build the foundation of a healthy brain but feeling accepted being
healthy brain but feeling accepted being
healthy brain but feeling accepted being seen being loved being good enough
seen being loved being good enough
seen being loved being good enough actually shapes our brains and can save
actually shapes our brains and can save
actually shapes our brains and can save lives it is increasingly apparent it’s
lives it is increasingly apparent it’s
lives it is increasingly apparent it’s not this individual hero struggling to
not this individual hero struggling to
not this individual hero struggling to rise above their circumstances through
rise above their circumstances through
rise above their circumstances through willpower alone or snapping out of it
willpower alone or snapping out of it
willpower alone or snapping out of it that’s needed to conquer addiction and
that’s needed to conquer addiction and
that’s needed to conquer addiction and mental illness instead it’s this power
mental illness instead it’s this power
mental illness instead it’s this power of community it’s the power of
of community it’s the power of
of community it’s the power of connection this is what helps us heal
connection this is what helps us heal
connection this is what helps us heal and moreover this is what helps us build
and moreover this is what helps us build
and moreover this is what helps us build brains that are resilient to life
brains that are resilient to life
brains that are resilient to life challenges and help us succeed in all
challenges and help us succeed in all
challenges and help us succeed in all measurable life outcomes so how are we
measurable life outcomes so how are we
measurable life outcomes so how are we going to build these connected
going to build these connected
going to build these connected communities well there’s three key ways
communities well there’s three key ways
communities well there’s three key ways that I can see first of all we can start
that I can see first of all we can start
that I can see first of all we can start to invest in physical communities we can
to invest in physical communities we can
to invest in physical communities we can start to build programs that educate
start to build programs that educate
start to build programs that educate that challenge misconceptions about
that challenge misconceptions about
that challenge misconceptions about mental illness and also start to build
mental illness and also start to build
mental illness and also start to build the tools and enable young people to be
the tools and enable young people to be
the tools and enable young people to be able to help themselves and others
able to help themselves and others
able to help themselves and others secondly we can use the scalable power
secondly we can use the scalable power
secondly we can use the scalable power of technology to start to bring
of technology to start to bring
of technology to start to bring resources and a community of care to
resources and a community of care to
resources and a community of care to those who might not be able to access it
those who might not be able to access it
those who might not be able to access it in their immediate environment and
in their immediate environment and
in their immediate environment and thirdly we can use our individual power
thirdly we can use our individual power
thirdly we can use our individual power we can start to educate ourselves to see
we can start to educate ourselves to see
we can start to educate ourselves to see Beyond and second question when we see
Beyond and second question when we see
Beyond and second question when we see someone with odd behaviors to start to
someone with odd behaviors to start to
someone with odd behaviors to start to wonder what’s going on inside and start
wonder what’s going on inside and start
wonder what’s going on inside and start to equip ourselves with the tools so
to equip ourselves with the tools so
to equip ourselves with the tools so that we can help them if they reach out
that we can help them if they reach out
that we can help them if they reach out to us so I want to give you some
to us so I want to give you some
to us so I want to give you some examples now of organizations that are
examples now of organizations that are
examples now of organizations that are already doing some of these things to
already doing some of these things to
already doing some of these things to show you how important it is and what
show you how important it is and what
show you how important it is and what more we can do sir connection huh we’re
more we can do sir connection huh we’re
more we can do sir connection huh we’re humans most of us know naturally how to
humans most of us know naturally how to
humans most of us know naturally how to connect it’s part of what makes us human
connect it’s part of what makes us human
connect it’s part of what makes us human but these are also skills that can be
but these are also skills that can be
but these are also skills that can be taught we can teach people how to
taught we can teach people how to
taught we can teach people how to articulate their internal experiences
articulate their internal experiences
articulate their internal experiences manage their emotions and be there for
manage their emotions and be there for
manage their emotions and be there for others when they’re doing the same we
others when they’re doing the same we
others when they’re doing the same we can start to demystify mental illness
can start to demystify mental illness
can start to demystify mental illness and the brain science behind it show you
and the brain science behind it show you
and the brain science behind it show you people that they’re more than a
people that they’re more than a
people that they’re more than a diagnosis and that this is not a
diagnosis and that this is not a
diagnosis and that this is not a sentence to a life of fewer suffering we
sentence to a life of fewer suffering we
sentence to a life of fewer suffering we can also start to build what we call
can also start to build what we call
can also start to build what we call executive function skills in children
executive function skills in children
executive function skills in children these are the cognitive toolkits of
these are the cognitive toolkits of
these are the cognitive toolkits of working memory stop and think skills
working memory stop and think skills
working memory stop and think skills inhibition control and flexible thinking
inhibition control and flexible thinking
inhibition control and flexible thinking that predict our success in a range of
that predict our success in a range of
that predict our success in a range of things across our lifespan from
things across our lifespan from
things across our lifespan from relationships career and health so
relationships career and health so
relationships career and health so there’s some organizations that are
there’s some organizations that are
there’s some organizations that are doing just this in our local environment
doing just this in our local environment
doing just this in our local environment one of them is the dot B project by the
one of them is the dot B project by the
one of them is the dot B project by the oxford mindfulness Center they work to
oxford mindfulness Center they work to
oxford mindfulness Center they work to teach mindfulness in schools to give
teach mindfulness in schools to give
teach mindfulness in schools to give kids some of the skills that they can
kids some of the skills that they can
kids some of the skills that they can stop and sink and take control when
stop and sink and take control when
stop and sink and take control when something’s happening in their life
something’s happening in their life
something’s happening in their life another program that I’ve worked with is
another program that I’ve worked with is
another program that I’ve worked with is place to be place to be an amazing
place to be place to be an amazing
place to be place to be an amazing organization who provides specialists
organization who provides specialists
organization who provides specialists highly trained independent counselors to
highly trained independent counselors to
highly trained independent counselors to school sometimes in really disadvantaged
school sometimes in really disadvantaged
school sometimes in really disadvantaged areas so some of the kids in these
areas so some of the kids in these
areas so some of the kids in these schools come from backgrounds where
schools come from backgrounds where
schools come from backgrounds where there’s neglect family breakdown
there’s neglect family breakdown
there’s neglect family breakdown violence bullying and other traumas and
violence bullying and other traumas and
violence bullying and other traumas and this creates complex behavioral and
this creates complex behavioral and
this creates complex behavioral and social and mental health issues and we
social and mental health issues and we
social and mental health issues and we know that kids in some of these
know that kids in some of these
know that kids in some of these situations then tend to go on to develop
situations then tend to go on to develop
situations then tend to go on to develop other issues that lead to a downward
other issues that lead to a downward
other issues that lead to a downward spiral they can end up in our prisons
spiral they can end up in our prisons
spiral they can end up in our prisons and our hospitals and we can deal with
and our hospitals and we can deal with
and our hospitals and we can deal with these problems later on we can deal with
these problems later on we can deal with
these problems later on we can deal with them then or in the next generation
them then or in the next generation
them then or in the next generation well what place to be does is by having
well what place to be does is by having
well what place to be does is by having this early intervention by giving
this early intervention by giving
this early intervention by giving independently the parents the children
independently the parents the children
independently the parents the children and the teachers someone dependable to
and the teachers someone dependable to
and the teachers someone dependable to talk to you by normalizing the process
talk to you by normalizing the process
talk to you by normalizing the process of seeking help and support by giving
of seeking help and support by giving
of seeking help and support by giving kids these place to talk slips where
kids these place to talk slips where
kids these place to talk slips where they can ask to have a chat to someone
they can ask to have a chat to someone
they can ask to have a chat to someone and they do the take up is huge by doing
and they do the take up is huge by doing
and they do the take up is huge by doing this that
this that
this that changing things for this generation I
changing things for this generation I
changing things for this generation I went to one of their schools last year
went to one of their schools last year
went to one of their schools last year and was really blown away that there was
and was really blown away that there was
and was really blown away that there was these little kids running up to me and
these little kids running up to me and
these little kids running up to me and when I chatted to them they were really
when I chatted to them they were really
when I chatted to them they were really excited to tell me how talking to
excited to tell me how talking to
excited to tell me how talking to Angelica had helped them be able to
Angelica had helped them be able to
Angelica had helped them be able to share their feelings with their friends
share their feelings with their friends
share their feelings with their friends now these were seven year old boys who
now these were seven year old boys who
now these were seven year old boys who were really excited and proud to be
were really excited and proud to be
were really excited and proud to be telling me they were talking about their
telling me they were talking about their
telling me they were talking about their feelings and this is the kind of shift
feelings and this is the kind of shift
feelings and this is the kind of shift that could make a real change in their
that could make a real change in their
that could make a real change in their difficult young lives and we see this in
difficult young lives and we see this in
difficult young lives and we see this in the evidence too so for place to be 74%
the evidence too so for place to be 74%
the evidence too so for place to be 74% of parents using the service say it
of parents using the service say it
of parents using the service say it significantly improves their home lives
significantly improves their home lives
significantly improves their home lives well 76 percent of teachers and 88
well 76 percent of teachers and 88
well 76 percent of teachers and 88 percent of children say that it’s
percent of children say that it’s
percent of children say that it’s shifted their behavioral and social and
shifted their behavioral and social and
shifted their behavioral and social and learning issues in the classroom and
learning issues in the classroom and
learning issues in the classroom and this flows on into the rest of their
this flows on into the rest of their
this flows on into the rest of their lives an independent analysis showed
lives an independent analysis showed
lives an independent analysis showed that for every one pounds that they
that for every one pounds that they
that for every one pounds that they place to be today there’s an estimated
place to be today there’s an estimated
place to be today there’s an estimated saving of six pounds to society later on
saving of six pounds to society later on
saving of six pounds to society later on savings in our education or criminal
savings in our education or criminal
savings in our education or criminal justice systems and when we have
justice systems and when we have
justice systems and when we have straining mental health budgets and
straining mental health budgets and
straining mental health budgets and straining budgets in general these kind
straining budgets in general these kind
straining budgets in general these kind of early interventions these investments
of early interventions these investments
of early interventions these investments in community or something that’s really
in community or something that’s really
in community or something that’s really underutilized as one final example of
underutilized as one final example of
underutilized as one final example of what we can do in physical communities
what we can do in physical communities
what we can do in physical communities the Alberta family wellness initiative
the Alberta family wellness initiative
the Alberta family wellness initiative starts to translate some of the brain
starts to translate some of the brain
starts to translate some of the brain science I was talking about about how we
science I was talking about about how we
science I was talking about about how we can build healthy brains through human
can build healthy brains through human
can build healthy brains through human connection they teach this to whole
connection they teach this to whole
connection they teach this to whole communities policymakers families
communities policymakers families
communities policymakers families teachers and this has been so successful
teachers and this has been so successful
teachers and this has been so successful at transforming these communities giving
at transforming these communities giving
at transforming these communities giving them emotional resilience and giving
them emotional resilience and giving
them emotional resilience and giving them the tools to embrace people
them the tools to embrace people
them the tools to embrace people suffering rather than shutting them away
suffering rather than shutting them away
suffering rather than shutting them away with stigmatization that just
with stigmatization that just
with stigmatization that just exacerbates issues rather than heals and
exacerbates issues rather than heals and
exacerbates issues rather than heals and because of this now the Alberta
because of this now the Alberta
because of this now the Alberta government has enshrined this in policy
government has enshrined this in policy
government has enshrined this in policy so they’re saying that this is so
so they’re saying that this is so
so they’re saying that this is so successful that every human service
successful that every human service
successful that every human service provider has to be fluent in this brain
provider has to be fluent in this brain
provider has to be fluent in this brain science or at least how to translate it
science or at least how to translate it
science or at least how to translate it into their work to enable human
into their work to enable human
into their work to enable human connection in their communities so what
connection in their communities so what
connection in their communities so what can we do with our online communities
can we do with our online communities
can we do with our online communities well one example comes from an
well one example comes from an
well one example comes from an organization that I’ve been working with
organization that I’ve been working with
organization that I’ve been working with and helping to establish with fellow
and helping to establish with fellow
and helping to establish with fellow Oxford students it’s called it gets
Oxford students it’s called it gets
Oxford students it’s called it gets brighter and it’s a charity dead
brighter and it’s a charity dead
brighter and it’s a charity dead to sharing messages of hope and support
to sharing messages of hope and support
to sharing messages of hope and support to young people struggling with mental
to young people struggling with mental
to young people struggling with mental health issues it’s the kind of thing I
health issues it’s the kind of thing I
health issues it’s the kind of thing I might have wanted when I was 14 and just
might have wanted when I was 14 and just
might have wanted when I was 14 and just showing me that I’m not alone and to
showing me that I’m not alone and to
showing me that I’m not alone and to show me that there was genuine cause for
show me that there was genuine cause for
show me that there was genuine cause for hope even if I didn’t feel that at the
hope even if I didn’t feel that at the
hope even if I didn’t feel that at the time we’ve had video messages come from
time we’ve had video messages come from
time we’ve had video messages come from all over the world from Egypt China
all over the world from Egypt China
all over the world from Egypt China Australia the US Canada Lebanon and many
Australia the US Canada Lebanon and many
Australia the US Canada Lebanon and many others as well as indigenous communities
others as well as indigenous communities
others as well as indigenous communities we’ve had people reaching out to us to
we’ve had people reaching out to us to
we’ve had people reaching out to us to thank us for what a difference either
thank us for what a difference either
thank us for what a difference either sharing their story or watching these
sharing their story or watching these
sharing their story or watching these video messages has had on their lives
video messages has had on their lives
video messages has had on their lives I’m always so blown away by these people
I’m always so blown away by these people
I’m always so blown away by these people showing their strength in their
showing their strength in their
showing their strength in their vulnerability something else we can do
vulnerability something else we can do
vulnerability something else we can do with the increasing ubiquity of mobile
with the increasing ubiquity of mobile
with the increasing ubiquity of mobile phone technologies in vulnerable
phone technologies in vulnerable
phone technologies in vulnerable communities like refugees and low and
communities like refugees and low and
communities like refugees and low and middle-income countries is that we can
middle-income countries is that we can
middle-income countries is that we can use this technology to enable us to
use this technology to enable us to
use this technology to enable us to provide them with mental health
provide them with mental health
provide them with mental health resources that they might not otherwise
resources that they might not otherwise
resources that they might not otherwise be able to access so there are people
be able to access so there are people
be able to access so there are people now working to provide ways to monitor
now working to provide ways to monitor
now working to provide ways to monitor people’s health and to give them the
people’s health and to give them the
people’s health and to give them the resources they might need to educate
resources they might need to educate
resources they might need to educate community aid workers so then when they
community aid workers so then when they
community aid workers so then when they go into communities they have the stuff
go into communities they have the stuff
go into communities they have the stuff on their phones so they can help
on their phones so they can help
on their phones so they can help diagnose and help support people and
diagnose and help support people and
diagnose and help support people and also educate them through these kind of
also educate them through these kind of
also educate them through these kind of video messages of hope so I’m really
video messages of hope so I’m really
video messages of hope so I’m really excited about the power of technology to
excited about the power of technology to
excited about the power of technology to help create these communities around the
help create these communities around the
help create these communities around the world but what can we do everyone
world but what can we do everyone
world but what can we do everyone sitting here everyone watching online as
sitting here everyone watching online as
sitting here everyone watching online as individuals I know it’s gonna sound
individuals I know it’s gonna sound
individuals I know it’s gonna sound really cliche now but you really do
really cliche now but you really do
really cliche now but you really do never know your power as an individual
never know your power as an individual
never know your power as an individual to be able to connect to someone and
to be able to connect to someone and
to be able to connect to someone and change their life as an example in 2008
change their life as an example in 2008
change their life as an example in 2008 my friend Johnny Benjamin was diagnosed
my friend Johnny Benjamin was diagnosed
my friend Johnny Benjamin was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder at the
with schizoaffective disorder at the
with schizoaffective disorder at the time he then felt that his situation was
time he then felt that his situation was
time he then felt that his situation was so hopeless there was so little chance
so hopeless there was so little chance
so hopeless there was so little chance of him having a good life and him being
of him having a good life and him being
of him having a good life and him being anything other than a burden on society
anything other than a burden on society
anything other than a burden on society so he was standing on a bridge in London
so he was standing on a bridge in London
so he was standing on a bridge in London ready to jump his story could well have
ready to jump his story could well have
ready to jump his story could well have ended there but a man walking by a
ended there but a man walking by a
ended there but a man walking by a stranger did the hard but simple act of
stranger did the hard but simple act of
stranger did the hard but simple act of stopping to chat so Johnny
stopping to chat so Johnny
stopping to chat so Johnny he reached out when others might have
he reached out when others might have
he reached out when others might have walked by and he made a connection he
walked by and he made a connection he
walked by and he made a connection he invited Johnny to have a coffee with him
invited Johnny to have a coffee with him
invited Johnny to have a coffee with him this simple act is what Johnny credits
this simple act is what Johnny credits
this simple act is what Johnny credits were saving his life today Johnny is an
were saving his life today Johnny is an
were saving his life today Johnny is an incredible video producer and wonderful
incredible video producer and wonderful
incredible video producer and wonderful human being and I’m so glad that he’s
human being and I’m so glad that he’s
human being and I’m so glad that he’s still with us if we can do all of these
still with us if we can do all of these
still with us if we can do all of these things if we can invest in our physical
things if we can invest in our physical
things if we can invest in our physical communities our online communities and
communities our online communities and
communities our online communities and his work as individuals we’re not only
his work as individuals we’re not only
his work as individuals we’re not only going to create a generation that cares
going to create a generation that cares
going to create a generation that cares about mental illness but also
about mental illness but also
about mental illness but also revolutionize mental health the World
revolutionize mental health the World
revolutionize mental health the World Health Organization Constitution
Health Organization Constitution
Health Organization Constitution preamble states that health is not
preamble states that health is not
preamble states that health is not merely the absence of illness but rather
merely the absence of illness but rather
merely the absence of illness but rather a state of complete social mental and
a state of complete social mental and
a state of complete social mental and physical well-being and hence it’s not
physical well-being and hence it’s not
physical well-being and hence it’s not really merely the absence of illness
really merely the absence of illness
really merely the absence of illness that promotes and provides mental health
that promotes and provides mental health
that promotes and provides mental health the science is showing that we’ve invest
the science is showing that we’ve invest
the science is showing that we’ve invest in teaching and equipping kids with the
in teaching and equipping kids with the
in teaching and equipping kids with the skills of emotional resilience of
skills of emotional resilience of
skills of emotional resilience of developing their executive function
developing their executive function
developing their executive function skills not only will we build brains
skills not only will we build brains
skills not only will we build brains that are more resilient to these life
that are more resilient to these life
that are more resilient to these life challenges but also do better in all
challenges but also do better in all
challenges but also do better in all measureable life outcomes and this is
measureable life outcomes and this is
measureable life outcomes and this is backed up by things like the Harvard
backed up by things like the Harvard
backed up by things like the Harvard grant study many of you might have heard
grant study many of you might have heard
grant study many of you might have heard of it because they look for 75 years at
of it because they look for 75 years at
of it because they look for 75 years at 268 men so overall their their whole
268 men so overall their their whole
268 men so overall their their whole life basically and measured all aspects
life basically and measured all aspects
life basically and measured all aspects of their life to try and understand what
of their life to try and understand what
of their life to try and understand what made a good healthy happy long life and
made a good healthy happy long life and
made a good healthy happy long life and what they found their secret for you’re
what they found their secret for you’re
what they found their secret for you’re down to one thing
down to one thing
down to one thing meaningful human connection and I also
meaningful human connection and I also
meaningful human connection and I also argue that if we equip people to be able
argue that if we equip people to be able
argue that if we equip people to be able to internalize their experiences manage
to internalize their experiences manage
to internalize their experiences manage their emotions and know that others will
their emotions and know that others will
their emotions and know that others will be there for them when they do then we
be there for them when they do then we
be there for them when they do then we might be able to start to tackle some of
might be able to start to tackle some of
might be able to start to tackle some of the higher rates of male suicide and
the higher rates of male suicide and
the higher rates of male suicide and violence in our communities as an aside
violence in our communities as an aside
violence in our communities as an aside I’m a DPhil student here in clinical
I’m a DPhil student here in clinical
I’m a DPhil student here in clinical neuroscience and I look at trying to
neuroscience and I look at trying to
neuroscience and I look at trying to understand the brain basis for anxiety
understand the brain basis for anxiety
understand the brain basis for anxiety disorders so when I argue for this
disorders so when I argue for this
disorders so when I argue for this community basis for mental health of
community basis for mental health of
community basis for mental health of educated and inspiring people in this
educated and inspiring people in this
educated and inspiring people in this way I’m not saying we shouldn’t invest
way I’m not saying we shouldn’t invest
way I’m not saying we shouldn’t invest in more research and better treatments
in more research and better treatments
in more research and better treatments we definitely should we definitely need
we definitely should we definitely need
we definitely should we definitely need that
that
that but I think that they go hand in hand
but I think that they go hand in hand
but I think that they go hand in hand it’s my hope that as we start to
it’s my hope that as we start to
it’s my hope that as we start to understand the biological basis of
understand the biological basis of
understand the biological basis of mental illness if we’re able to educate
mental illness if we’re able to educate
mental illness if we’re able to educate and spread that through our communities
and spread that through our communities
and spread that through our communities we’ll start to reduce the stigma in the
we’ll start to reduce the stigma in the
we’ll start to reduce the stigma in the way we did with cancer so people used to
way we did with cancer so people used to
way we did with cancer so people used to think of cancer as this moral failing
think of cancer as this moral failing
think of cancer as this moral failing but people might have got it because
but people might have got it because
but people might have got it because there was something a bit wrong with
there was something a bit wrong with
there was something a bit wrong with their character and that it might be
their character and that it might be
their character and that it might be contagious so you better stay away once
contagious so you better stay away once
contagious so you better stay away once we understood the biological basis we
we understood the biological basis we
we understood the biological basis we started to change this misconception and
started to change this misconception and
started to change this misconception and be able to start to celebrate people who
be able to start to celebrate people who
be able to start to celebrate people who struggled with us for their strength and
struggled with us for their strength and
struggled with us for their strength and support them much better and I hope we
support them much better and I hope we
support them much better and I hope we can do this with mental illness too so I
can do this with mental illness too so I
can do this with mental illness too so I think they go hand in hand but even if
think they go hand in hand but even if
think they go hand in hand but even if we have better treatments that’s not
we have better treatments that’s not
we have better treatments that’s not enough we need to create this community
enough we need to create this community
enough we need to create this community that can care for people going through
that can care for people going through
that can care for people going through it because if we have a great treatment
it because if we have a great treatment
it because if we have a great treatment but someone comes out of it and doesn’t
but someone comes out of it and doesn’t
but someone comes out of it and doesn’t feel like their identity is more than
feel like their identity is more than
feel like their identity is more than their illness or they’re not accepted by
their illness or they’re not accepted by
their illness or they’re not accepted by their society we still will have failed
their society we still will have failed
their society we still will have failed if we have a great treatment but we
if we have a great treatment but we
if we have a great treatment but we can’t get someone to go to it because of
can’t get someone to go to it because of
can’t get someone to go to it because of the stigma attached we still will have
the stigma attached we still will have
the stigma attached we still will have failed to do this we need you we need
failed to do this we need you we need
failed to do this we need you we need you to start to advocate for better
you to start to advocate for better
you to start to advocate for better programs in our physical communities to
programs in our physical communities to
programs in our physical communities to teach people and equip them with the
teach people and equip them with the
teach people and equip them with the skills they need to manage their own and
skills they need to manage their own and
skills they need to manage their own and others mental health we need you to
others mental health we need you to
others mental health we need you to invest in online communities spread
invest in online communities spread
invest in online communities spread these messages of hope and support and
these messages of hope and support and
these messages of hope and support and work as an individual to educate
work as an individual to educate
work as an individual to educate yourself to start to question people’s
yourself to start to question people’s
yourself to start to question people’s behavior start to look past and trying
behavior start to look past and trying
behavior start to look past and trying to understand their experiences to know
to understand their experiences to know
to understand their experiences to know what to do if someone comes to you with
what to do if someone comes to you with
what to do if someone comes to you with a problem if you can try and share your
a problem if you can try and share your
a problem if you can try and share your story – I know it’s tricky all the
story – I know it’s tricky all the
story – I know it’s tricky all the barriers that existed – talking about my
barriers that existed – talking about my
barriers that existed – talking about my mental illness back then still exists
mental illness back then still exists
mental illness back then still exists for me today concerns over future career
for me today concerns over future career
for me today concerns over future career prospects or people treating you or
prospects or people treating you or
prospects or people treating you or thinking of you differently when they
thinking of you differently when they
thinking of you differently when they find out but research shows that the
find out but research shows that the
find out but research shows that the best tool we have at the moment to
best tool we have at the moment to
best tool we have at the moment to challenge misconceptions and change
challenge misconceptions and change
challenge misconceptions and change people’s minds is by people being open
people’s minds is by people being open
people’s minds is by people being open about them into illness so it’s hard but
about them into illness so it’s hard but
about them into illness so it’s hard but I believe it’s worth it
I believe it’s worth it
I believe it’s worth it it is weird for me to be standing here
it is weird for me to be standing here
it is weird for me to be standing here not only because I’m giving a TEDx talk
not only because I’m giving a TEDx talk
not only because I’m giving a TEDx talk for crying out loud
for crying out loud
for crying out loud but also because
but also because
but also because talking about mental illness like this
talking about mental illness like this
talking about mental illness like this isn’t something I ever thought I would
isn’t something I ever thought I would
isn’t something I ever thought I would do when I was younger and not only
do when I was younger and not only
do when I was younger and not only because of this potential embarrassment
because of this potential embarrassment
because of this potential embarrassment in fact now I think we should celebrate
in fact now I think we should celebrate
in fact now I think we should celebrate people for their strengths but also
people for their strengths but also
people for their strengths but also because it’s not part of my identity
because it’s not part of my identity
because it’s not part of my identity anymore and I don’t want it to be I feel
anymore and I don’t want it to be I feel
anymore and I don’t want it to be I feel like I should be talking about how to
like I should be talking about how to
like I should be talking about how to save the Great Barrier Reef or the
save the Great Barrier Reef or the
save the Great Barrier Reef or the neuroscience of attention and I think
neuroscience of attention and I think
neuroscience of attention and I think this is what anyone going through any
this is what anyone going through any
this is what anyone going through any illness wants to in my experience to be
illness wants to in my experience to be
illness wants to in my experience to be seen as well for all the other things
seen as well for all the other things
seen as well for all the other things that they are to know that it’s okay to
that they are to know that it’s okay to
that they are to know that it’s okay to not be okay that we are enough the
not be okay that we are enough the
not be okay that we are enough the evidence is increasingly clear is there
evidence is increasingly clear is there
evidence is increasingly clear is there in the science and it’s there in the
in the science and it’s there in the
in the science and it’s there in the success of community-based mental health
success of community-based mental health
success of community-based mental health interventions what the world needs now
interventions what the world needs now
interventions what the world needs now is perhaps indeed just a little more
is perhaps indeed just a little more
is perhaps indeed just a little more love thank you
love thank you
love thank you [Applause]
Please follow and like us: