Introduction

In the course of your daily work, you will commonly find people who have the following problems:

• physical complaints that don’t seem to have a medical cause
• worries that seem too much
• difficulty with sleep.

People may be very troubled by these problems and need help. Without treatment these problems can interfere with a person’s work and relationships. Sometimes, but not always, these symptoms indicate the presence of mental disorder. In this session you will learn how to assess people who have these problems and detect any underlying mental health problems. A small proportion of people will need referral for further assessment, but many people can be helped with simple interventions. You will learn how to give advice on relaxation, ways of managing anxiety and panic, and sleep problems.

Another common experience that can affect a person’s mental health is exposure to violence or life-threatening accidents. Individuals can be exposed to violence by being the victims of it or because they have witnessed violent acts on others. Violence can occur at home, in the fields, in meeting places, in the bar and in other places. It affects children, women and men. Although violence is often assumed to be physical, it can also be psychological violence (violence that negatively affects the self-confidence and dignity of an individual). A person who experiences a life-threatening accident can also suffer from disabling mental health problems. The expectation, after completing this study session, is that you will understand the serious nature of violence, the common mental health consequences of violence and life-threatening accidents, and what you can do to support people who suffer from these kinds of mental health problems.