Mental health is all about your emotional and social wellbeing. When your mental health is okay, you can cope with life, normal stresses, and school or work.
There are times in life when our minds don't cope so well and mental health problems might arise. There is always help available to you during these times.
Looking after your mental health
There are many ways to look after your mental health even when you don't think it needs special attention. It helps if you can:
- Eat well and exercise regularly
- Get enough sleep and set aside some time in each day to relax
- Put time into activities and relationships that make you feel good
- Set yourself some short-term and long-term goals to look forward to
- Try to deal with problems instead of letting them build up
- Be aware of the possible effects of alcohol and drugs on your state of mind and relationships
These things can really help you keep on top of day-to-day-life and stay on top of regular stress levels and worries.
Mental health in difficult times
One in five Australians are likely to experience some kind of mental health issue during their lifetime. Mental health issues can affect anyone - old or young, rich or poor.
Sometimes worry, stress or depression can get in the way of you doing the things you need and want to do. Beyondblue (new window) can give you lots of information and help if you think you have depression or know someone who does.
Other issues that can be related to mental health include substance abuse, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia and eating disorders.
For young people, the stresses of growing up, family conflicts, study, work and situations such as living in care or being homeless can all take their toll on your mental health.
It can also be really tough living with, or standing by a friend or relative who has a serious mental health problem. It can be hard to know what to expect, or what you should do.
The Better Health Channel has some helpful pages on worry (new window), stress (new window) and other negative emotions (new window) that give you tips on how to help yourself or someone you know during these tough stages.
Ways to improve the situation
A mental health problem can just happen. It's nobody's fault, it may seem hard to understand or deal with but it really helps to speak out and get support instead of trying to deal with it alone. Below are a few steps that are helpful in these situations:
- Acknowledge that there may be a problem
- Don't panic
- Talk about it with a friend or someone else you trust
- Seek out professional advice and information
- Accept support
When we are sick or injured we head straight to the doctor. We should do the same with our mental health and treat it with the same level of care and concern we do a physical problem.
Getting help
Help for mental health issues may include support, counselling, medication or therapy. Some services and information are especially aimed at young people and understand your needs. Take a look at the range of government and other mental health support services available at the Department of Human Services site (new window).
It can also help to do some research on the illness yourself and understand how you can manage it in your day-to-day life. Headspace (new window) provides some good starting points for this.
Links for getting help
Headspace
The National Youth Mental Health Foundation, helping young people aged 12 to 25.
Kids Helpline
Kids Helpline is a 24-hour telephone and online counselling service. It includes a directory that you can search to find services and places that can help you in your local area.
Children of Parents with a Mental Illnes (COPMI)
Nationwide information for family members where a parent has a mental illness.
Victorian Government Health Information - Accessing Mental Health Services
Allows you to look for services near your suburb or town and includes categories for general adult services as well as child and adolescent services.
General information links
Better Health Channel
Information about mental health and tips for coping with negative emotions.
depressioNet
Service portal that offers a diverse range of interactive human services, including free counselling and peer support, utilising online technologies for Australians living with depression to help improve their mental health and wellbeing.
Headroom
Ideas about what positive mental health is, issues and situations that affect mental health and how you can look after your mental health. It's written by young people for young people.
itsallright
Includes referral services and the diaries of four teenagers whose lives are affected by mental illness and fact sheets on drugs and mental illness, eating disorders, bipolar disorders and treatments for mental illness.
Reach Out!
Fact sheets on Bipolar disorder, if your friend threatens to take their life, self-harm and suggestions for managing depression. It also provides information about the ways that a therapist may be able to help you, and the treatments available.
Beyondblue: The National Depression Initiative
Addresses issues associated with depression, anxiety and related things like substance misuse. Find a doctor or psychologist close to you.
