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