Mental Health – This Week is Mental Health Week

Mental Health – This Week is Mental Health Week

Not all serious health concerns revolve around broken bones, missing limbs, or hair loss. Our mental health, that of you and I, is as important as any blood pressure check or racing heartbeat. I’ve taken the below from Beyond Blue, their website is linked below. Locally help is available from NIHRACS on 22091, or in an emergency, dial 000 (triple zero). Lifeline provides all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to online, phone crisis supports and suicide prevention services. Call 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au to chat online to a counsellor for free.

The Benefits of Staying Well

Research shows that high levels of mental health are associated with increased learning, creativity and productivity, more pro-social behaviour, and positive social relationships. Increased mental wellbeing correlates with improved physical health and a rise in life expectancy. In contrast, mental health conditions can cause distress, impact on day-to-day functioning and relationships, and may be associated with poor physical health and premature death from chronic illness and, unfortunately, suicide.

It is important to remember that mental health is complex. The fact that someone is not experiencing a mental health condition doesn’t necessarily mean their mental health is flourishing. Likewise, it’s possible to be diagnosed with a mental health condition while feeling well in many aspects of life. Ultimately, mental health is about being cognitively, emotionally, and socially healthy in the way we think and feel about life and how we develop our relationships. Mental health is not merely the absence of a mental illness.

A flourishing society is a healthy community. - BEYOND BLUE – beyondblue.org.au

Our next skill drill will be held on Tuesday, 12^th September, at 6:30 pm.

If you are interested in becoming a St John volunteer or, for more information, please email norfolk.island@stjohnnsw.com.au or james.garden@stjohnnsw.com.au