Mental Health in a Nutshell with Dr Jill Benson

GPEx Podcast Doctor Dialogues

Dr Simon Hay, GPEx Deputy Director of Medical Education, chats to Assoc Prof Jill Benson AM, GPEx Senior Medical Educator, about her recent research article, 'Mental health in a nutshell'. Mental health disorders are common throughout the world and are responsible for a large proportion of the burden of morbidity, mortality and health expenditure. General Practitioners are the most likely first ‘port of call’ but may not have enough time, training or resources to properly assess, manage, monitor or prevent mental health problems. This episode describes how discussing exercise, social engagement, activities of daily living, meaning, mindfulness techniques, gratitude and strengths can assist patients with mild to moderate mental illness. It also provides a practical and efficient nonpharmaceutical tool using evidence-based parameters that can be easily used by GPs in a busy practice. SHOW NOTES Mental Health in a Nutshell article: http://www.mhfmjournal.com/open-access/mental-health-