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Mental health – pay attention to it and the risks

Mental health: a state of mental wellbeing that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realise their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.
WHO

Mental health is a key component of overall health, which means that we should pay attention to it and the risk factors. 

As health professionals, we know our mental, physical and spiritual health are linked. And that our mental health is vital to our wellbeing and quality of life. Yet, we may be surprised when we experience a mental health condition. 

For many nurses, midwives and students, the fast-paced, unpredictable nature of our work and study, the risks associated with caring for people with complex conditions, work stressors, chaotic work environments, and poor sleep and nutrition may make us vulnerable to a mental health condition. 

Not alone – national statistics

The Black Dog Institute reports that 1 in 5 Australians will experience symptoms of mental illness in any given year.  That’s around 5 million people. And roughly 60% of these people won’t seek help.

Signs and symptoms of a mental health condition  

A mental health condition is a significant disturbance in your cognition, emotional regulation, or behaviour. It may include but is not limited to anxiety, depression, substance misuse or affective disorders. 

You may be negatively affected by symptoms of a mental health condition without necessarily meeting the criteria for diagnosis. Mental health is affected by and, in turn, affects multiple socioeconomic factors, including access to services, living conditions, financial situation, and employment status. It can also impact your family, friends, colleagues, and your ability to work and enjoy life. 

Understand factors that can protect your mental health

Pay attention to these, set goals and create a mental health plan. Protective factors include: 

  • Emotional awareness – pay attention to your mood, thoughts and feelings
  • Community and social support and connectedness 
  • Healthy habits – sleep, diet, exercise and mindfulness practice. 
  • Work achievement and job satisfaction
  • Physical and psychological safety
  • Access to support services
  • Financial security
  • Stable and safe housing

When you’re not ok

Seek help. Speak to a nurse or midwife who understands. 

Contact us

Assess your mental health now 

Check your levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Use the free anonymous online tool from This Way Up - Take-a-Test Tool.  

Ask your GP if you are eligible for a federally subsidised mental health plan and services. 

Services available to you

Some mental health services, programs and resources we recommend include: 

THIS WAY UP

This Way Up have 18 tailored programs for a range of mental health conditions. Their online programs are available without a need for an assessment or a referral, making it easier for you to access quality mental health self-help. 

GPs, psychologists, and other mental health professionals access use their programs to treat their patients, which means you can complete a program with the help of your own clinician. 

THIS WAY UP is run by clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, researchers, and web technicians based at the Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression (CRUfAD) – a joint facility of St Vincent’s Hospital and the University of New South Wales. 

Beyond Blue 

Beyond Blue offers a mental health support line, programs and resources to support your mental health.  

Their national free telephone and online counselling service is open 24/7:

Beyond Blue state they are a big blue door for many in the community: a safe and reliable place for millions of people – whether they’re well and want to stay that way, unsettled or struggling and need support, or in recovery and want to reconnect. 

Black Dog Institute 

Black Dog Institute offers evidence-based training and webinars for health professionals looking to expand their knowledge and skills in the area of mental health. 

They offer  health professionals resources, online programs, and digital tools to assist in the management of mental health conditions in your clinical work. 

First person – stories and experiences of others

Hearing experiences of others living and working with a mental health issue or illness and the value of support, treatment and care may assist you to take the first step. 

The WHO tells us that mental health is an integral component of health and wellbeing that underpins our abilities to make decisions, build relationships and shape the world we live in. 

Mental health is a basic human right. And it is crucial to personal, community and socio-economic development. 

Mental health is more than the absence of a mental health condition. It is experienced differently by each person, with varying degrees of difficulty and distress, and potentially very different social and clinical outcomes. 

World Health Organisation: mental health

See also