28/09/2023
Looking after our social and emotional wellbeing is as important as keeping our body healthy. When we're feeling emotionally healthy we can be fully present with our family, friends and community.
Mental health is more than just talking about mental health conditions, like anxiety or depression.
Research shows that good mental health is linked to:
improved learning
creativity
higher levels of productivity
better social relationships
good physical health
increased life expectancy.
Mental health definition
Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community. It is an integral component of health and well-being that underpins our individual and collective abilities to make decisions, build relationships and shape the world we live in.
(World Health Organisation)
The mental health continuum
It can be hard to talk about mental health. Maybe your family and friends feel uncomfortable talking about it. Maybe you don't know where to start or how it relates to you.
We've developed the mental health continuum to help you talk about social and emotional wellbeing. It will give you the words to describe how you're feeling, and to ask how others are feeling. It can also help you decide what steps to take to look after your mental health right now.
Horizontal bar showing from left to right: health, unsettled, struggling, in crisis, healing, healthy
Why a mental health continuum?
Our mental health can change gradually over time. We might start to feel unsettled, but move back to feeling healthy in a few days. Or we might move from feeling unsettled to really struggling. This is when we may need to seek professional support.
Many of us will experience a mental health crisis in our lives, but we don't stay in crisis. We'll move beyond the crisis into a period of healing and then another healthy period when we've recover.
Healthy
I feel capable and confident in my ability to handle daily pressures. I am thinking clearly and am hopeful about the future. I will maintain my healthy routines and stay connected with loved ones.
Feeling
Able to handle things
Managing feelings
Thoughts
Hopeful outlook
Clear thoughts
Connections
Positive and engaging relationships
Routines
Healthy routines (includes sleep and diet)
Functioning
Engaged with daily activities
Making positive contributions
What to do when you're healthy
Keep connected. Continue healthy routines. Be active and mindful.
Healing
My moods have been more stable and I'm thinking more clearly. I'm starting to feel like myself again. I’m becoming aware of the therapies that are working for me and I will continue to use them.
Feeling
Return to more familiar and more stable moods
Improved self-belief
Thoughts
Growth in confidence
Return to clearer thoughts
Easier decision-making
Connections
Reconnecting with others
Reflecting on relationships
Return to positive relationships
Routines
Return of familiar routines (including sleep and diet)
Greater self-care
Functioning
Return of motivation
Re-engaged with daily activities or tasks
What to do when you're healing
Focus on maintaining improvement. Be kind to yourself and keep going if you have small setbacks.
Your mental health and wellbeing our business.
Healthy
I feel stronger and more resilient. I have a better understanding of myself and am better equipped to handle stress moving forward. I know what coping strategies work for me, and I will use them alongside practising self-care.
Feeling
Stronger and more resilient
Better equipped to handle things
More like yourself
Thoughts
Strong sense of self
Able to manage and challenge negative thoughts
Connections
Better at setting boundaries
Able to support others
Routines
Strengthened routines
Greater investment in self-care
Functioning
Stronger engagement in daily activities
Sense of pride and capability
What to do when you're healthy
Review/build support network. Practise self-care. Create a plan for future challenge.
