Læknablaðið : fylgirit - 01.08.2003, Page 50

I ABSTRACTS / 27TH NORDIC PSYCHIATRIC CONGRESS
Method: A questionnaire was constructed to measure the know-
ledge and attitudes. The subjects answered the same questionnaire
a week before the lecture and subsequently a week after the lecture.
Three hypotheses were proposed: Hl: Those people who know
someone who has a mental illness have a more positive attitude
towards mental health, mental health problems and towards those
with mental illness. H2: Education about mental health increases
adolescent’s knowledge of mental heallh. H3: Education on mental
health reduces prejudices towards those who have mental health
problems.
Results: The adolescent’s misconceptions and prejudices towards
mental ill health were reduced after the lecture. The resuits support
all hypothesis.
Condusions: From the results we conclude that education on
rnental health can be a successful strategy. Education can be used to
increase understanding and reduce prejudices and misconceptions
about mental health and mental illness. The results show that preju-
dices are synonymous with ignorance.
S-XXII/4 Saturday 16/8,11:00-12:30
Sleep, dreams, and well being
Björg Bjarnadóttir. Dr.. PhD in Developmental Psychology, Psychologist in Charge,
FSA - University Regional Hospital, PS-Ward, Skólastíg 7,600 Akureyri, Iceland
bbjarna@mi.is
Background: In the early 2003 research into the sleep and dream
patterns/habits of modern Icelanders was conducted.
Aims of research: 1) the physical and emotional well being of Ice-
landers, their sleeping habits; 2) dream patterns, and the main
classes of dreams, nighlmares being one; 3) how age, sex, and socio-
economic status correlate with above.
Method: A quantitative questionnaire was given to a sample of
1200 Icelanders aged 18 to 85. Gallup in Iceland undertook the task
of contacting subjects via phone and provides statistical presenta-
tions of the findings.
Kesults: Responding was 67.5%. Results indicate that: Icelanders
sleep well (78%), for about 7 to 8 hours (59.6%), their well being
physically and emotionally is high (76 and 78%), and dreams have
meaning for them (72%). About 12 % of the population had used
sleep medicament and 10% antidepressants, highest in the low
socioeconomic groups, among elderly, and those divorced/widowed
as accompanied by higher scores for poorer physical and mental
well being.
Conclusiuns: The research indicates sound sleep and dream pat-
terns for Icelanders in relation to good physical and mental well
being. It confirms earlier findings of national beliefs into the value
of dreams and of general happiness. Special effort is needed in
promoting well being among certain socioeconomic groups.
S - XXII / 5 Saturday 16/8, 11:00-12:30
Geðrækt: The lcelandic Mental Health Promotion Project
Dóra Guórún Guðmundsdótlir. Project Manager. Tlte Icclandic Mental Health
Promotion Project, Austurströnd 5,170 Seltjarnarnesi, Iceland
dora@ged.is
Background: In the year 2000 an ex-service user came up with the
idea of starting a project to promote mental health in Iceland.
Geðrækt (The Icelandic Mental Health Promotion Project) was
founded that year in cooperation with “Landspítalinn”, “Geðhjálp”
and “Landlæknisembættið”.
Ainis: Tlie main goals of Geðrækt are to enhance mental health
preventions and promotion throughout the society with education.
The aim is to raise awareness of mental health, emphasising that
everybody possesses a form of mental health.
Mcthod: Geðrækt has given lectures on mental health and mental
health promotion in schools, institutions, workplaces, and for non-
profit organizations around the country. Geðrækt has published
materials to use in life skill education on mental health to help
children to be aware of their feelings and how they can cope with
their negative feelings. Geðrækt has also participated in a number
of projects in cooperation with other organizations, theatres etc.
Kcsults: A study made by Gallup in November 2002 showed thal
about 50% had heard about “Geðrækt” and one third was aware of
what mental health promotion is all about.
Conclusions: From those results we conclude that Geðrækt’s edu-
cation on mental health has been successful in raising people’s
awareness of mental health and mental health promotion.
S - XXIII/1 Saturday 16/8,11:00-12:30
More influence but fewer psychiatrists in Denmark
S»rcn Brcdkjær, President of the Danish Psychiatric Society, Chief Medical
Position, Sct. Hans Hospital, Boserupvej 2, DK-4000 Roskilde
soeren. bredkjaer@shh. hosp. dk
Background: Despite improvements in psychiatric teaching, the
number of psychiatrists is declining. In fact, 20% of positions for
psychiatrists are not occupied. At the same time politicians and the
health authorities discuss whether psychiatry belongs to the health
or the social sector.
Aims: To inforrn about the strategy for getting more influence,
power, and prestige of the specialty and improving recruitment in
Denmark.
Method and results: The main topics in our strategy are: To make a
proposal for a national plan for psychiatry in Denmark 2003-2010;
To define more closely what the role of the psychiatrists should be
and whether there are tasks that could be carried out more appro-
priately by other professionals; To maintain psychiatry as a part of
the health sector with close relationship to the other medical
specialties; To improve conditions for scientific positions in
psychiatry; To make clinical guidelines for the main diagnostic
groups in psychiatry over the next years; To improve the training,
supervision and support for psychiatrists.
Conclusions: The influences, power, and prestige of the specialty
may depend more on the quality than the quantity of consultants,
and there needs to be more debates about these issues.
50 LæKNABLAÐIÐ / FYLGIRIT 48 2003/89