Sourced: 12th October, 2020 - Your Mental Wellbeing, Queensland Government website.
Taking some ‘me time’ is important. And it also helps strengthen your mental wellbeing.
Your mental wellbeing is the unique way that you handle your emotions, respond to stress and also your general outlook on life. Having a healthy sense of mental wellbeing has many benefits. It lifts your mood, promotes resilience in difficult situations and helps you get the most out of life. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you live or how you’re feeling – taking a few moments for yourself each day will help you be a happier and more resilient you.
How can I improve my mental wellbeing?
Being active for 30 minutes each day improves your physical health. The same goes for your mental health. By taking just a few minutes to focus on mental wellbeing activities each day, you’ll see big improvements.
You deserve the best possible YOU! It only takes a few small actions, practised every day, to find a happier you.
My Wellbeing Ideas:
1. Go for a walk outside.
2. Work in the garden.
3. Call a friend.
4. Listen to a new podcast.
Does this mean I need to Meditate?
Some people love yoga, others would rather be at a BBQ with friends. The important thing is that both activities are great ways to make time for you. Because everyone is different, the way you choose to practise mental wellbeing will be different too.
Discover the Building blocks to a better you
There are six building blocks to stong mental wellbeing. Try incorporating a few wellbeing activities from each of these areas to improve your overall mental resilience.
- Get Healthy - Healthy Body, Health Mind.
- Keep Learning - Challenge your mind and seek out new things.
- Show Kindness - Give back, show gratitude and bring joy to others' lives.
- Connect More - Develop relationships, stay connected and care for each other.
- Take Notice - Be mindful. Stay in the moment. Experience the world around you.
- Embrace Nature - Step outside, connect with natural world and take care of the planet.
Feel you need more support?
It’s normal to feel sad or worried sometimes, especially when life gets tough. Sometimes, you might need some help to feel better again. If you’re struggling with your mind, support is available. There are a range of services and organisations that can help.
Emergency/Crisis Support:
Triple Zero (000) - Dial Triple Zero (000) for Police, Fire and Ambulance in an emergency or go directly to your local hospital emergency department.
Life line (13 11 14) - Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australian experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24-hour crisis with access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467) - Suicide Call Back Service is a nationwide service that provides professional 24/7 telephone and online counselling to people who are affected by suicide.
Youth Support Services:
Kids Helpline (1899 551 800) - Kids Helpline is Australia's only free, private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.
Youth Beyond Blue (1300 224 636) - Youth Beyond Blue aims to empower young people aged 12-25, their friends and those who care for them to respond to anxiety and depression. We support and promote environments and settings that build on strengths of young people and respond to ongoing change.
Domestic and Family Violence Support Services:
Elder Abuse Helpline (1300 651 192) - The Elder Abuse Helpline offers confidential information, support and referrals for older people experiencing abuse and anyone who witnesses or suspects the abuse of an older person. The service operates 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Voice messages cab be left outside these hours.
DVConnect Womensline (1800 811 811) - DVConnect's Womensline is Queensland's only 24 hour, 7 days a week crisis response telephone helpline for women who want to escape domestic and family violence. They offer free, professional and non-judgemental telephone support to you, wherever you live in Queensland.
DVConnect Mensline (1800 600 636) - DVConnects Mensline offers specialist assistance for men who are seeking help and looking for ways to address their own use of violence and other destructive patterns in their personal lives and relationships, as well as those who may be (or have been) victims of vilence themselves. Mensline also receives call from family members, parents and friends seeking information about issues of domestic or family violence.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Support Services:
Link Up (QLD) (1800 200 855) - Link-Up (QLD) are a dedicated team offering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People the chance to reconnect with family and understand their identity. Link Up (QLD) are a not-for-profit organisation provding services at no cost.
Gallang Place Indigenous Counselling Service (07 3899 5041) - Gallang Place Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation Counselling Services is an organisation aiming to help all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities grow stronger by culturally appropriate counselling and support services.
Article Reference: Your Mental Wellbeing 2020 https://mentalwellbeing.initiatives.qld.gov.au/