Values and health:

its not just about the $

Social Determinants of Health Conference

David Crosbie

Community Council for Australia

December 2013

Community Council for Australia

• independent, non-political member-based organisation

• dedicated to building flourishing communities primarily

by enhancing the extraordinary work and effort

undertaken within the not-for-profit sector in Australia

• seeks to change the way governments, communities

and the not-for-profit sector relate to one another

• this includes establishing a regulatory environment that

works for community organisations - not against them

The CCA Board • Benevolent Society – Anne Hollonds (Director)

• Drug Arm Australia – Dennis Young (Director)

• Good Beginnings Australia – Jayne Meyer Tucker (Director)

• HammondCare – Stephen Judd (Director)

• Lifeline – Jane Hayden

• Mission Australia – Toby Hall (Director)

• Musica Viva Australia – Mary Jo Capps (Director)

• RSPCA Australia – Heather Neil (Director)

• The Big Issue – Steven Persson (Director)

• The Smith Family – Lisa O’Brien (Director)

• Wesley Mission – Keith Garner (Director)

• World Vision Australia – Tim Costello (Chair)

nature of poverty / disadvantage

Poverty and disadvantage is about

• the elderly (statistically most likely to have low

incomes)

• the 800,000 Australians on disability pensions

(mental health accounts for over 30%)

• the long term unemployed (who can’t make it

across to the disability pension)

• the multi generational welfare dependent (usually

with compounding issues)

• those in the most marginalised communities

money matters but:

• Many who have money still do not access health services

• Even when people do access health services, quality of care

is often hidden behind professional protections – who you

know is very important

• Health literate are healthier

• Some of the richest nations on earth have very poor health

profiles while some of the poorest live long and fulfilling lives

values – acceptance?

values

strength of NFPs = values

dignity respect

courage pride

meaning community opportunity

change honesty

care love

hope responsibility

The Productivity Commission on measuring the

contribution of not for profits to our

community:

‘connectedness to others

sense of self

engagement in meaningful activity

safety from harm’

values – mental health ?

inclusion?

During the past two weeks, how often did you feel …

NEVER

ONCE

OR TWICE

ABOUT ONCE

A WEEK

ABOUT 2 OR 3 TIMES A WEEK

ALMOST EVERY DAY

EVERY DAY

1. happy

2. interested in life

3. satisfied

4. that you had something important to contribute to society

5. that you belonged to a community (like a social group, or your neighborhood)

6. that our society is becoming a better place for people like you

7. that people are basically good

8. that the way our society works makes sense to you

9. that you liked most parts of your personality

10. good at managing the responsibilities of your daily life

11. that you had warm and trusting relationships with others

12. that you have experiences that challenge you to grow and become a better person

13. confident to think or express your own ideas and opinions

14. that your life has a sense of direction or meaning to it

• Flourishing “almost every day” or

“every day” 1 emotional well-being + 6

positive functioning

• Moderate

• Languishing “never” or “once or

twice” 1 emotional well-being + 6

positive functioning

Percent College Students Who Report Suicidality

(in the past year, gave serious thought to committing suicide, made a plan to commit

suicide, or attempted suicide)

18.1

7

15.4

28.3

3.9

1.30

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Languishing Moderate Flourishing

Level of Mental Health (Categorical Diagnosis)

Mental Illness

No Mental Illness

what we know about flourishing

• The research is telling us that it is not the

circumstances you find yourself in, but whether you

feel valued that is the critical factor in personal and

collective well being

• If we extrapolate this concept of feeling valued to

the broader community, it becomes clear that the

fundamental values enacted within our society are

the critical touchstone for wellbeing and social

inclusion. It is our values that are at the heart of

flourishing communities.

pursuit of happiness?

the need to challenge

• we have a responsibility, a professional responsibility, a

responsibility to our clients, their families, our peers, our

organisations, our community

• accepting this responsibility means striving to fully

achieve our purpose rather than accepting imposed

limitations and what we often know to be inadequate

responses to our clients and our community

• accepting this responsibility means measuring and

validating your experiences, the experiences of your

clients, their families, their community, your organisation

purpose and values • We need to sway and dance with the winds of change, but

not let go of the purpose or the values that make us strong and effective

• the most important struggle is to:

1. retain a commitment to purpose and the fundamental values of human experience, e.g. hope, community, and meaningful relationships

2. strengthen your clients, yourself and your organisation = measure and share how you achieve your purpose = be valued

3. BE AN ADVOCATE / SUPPORT ADVOCACY

values and change