Mental health counsellor Steve Carrigg clarified the concept of good mental health for many participants at Friday’s business breakfast at the Tenterfield Golf Club, describing it as a continuum similar to the varying degrees of physical health.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
People tend to move up and down the scale. They feel much better towards the top of the scale, but sliding down the scale can make them more prone to ill health, be it physical or mental.
“Stress is the physical and emotional response to demands made on us,” he said.
This invokes the ‘fight or flight’ response, and as we’re unlikely to pursue either in our daily lives, unreleased stress can build up and damage our health.
“There’s a strong correlation between heart disease and stress, and increasing evidence of the links between cancer and stress,” Mr Carrigg said.
He spoke of an individual’s ‘stress bucket’, the size and management of which determines our ability to cope with stress. If we allow the stress level to build up without release, the bucket overflows and we lose our ability to cope. We can build up our resistance and skill level for coping with stress, as well as seeking ways to alleviate it.
To the business people at the breakfast he stressed that ‘presentism’ can be as important as ‘absenteeism’ when gauging employees’ mental wellbeing, and part of stress management can be early intervention.
Mr Carrigg’s tips for boosting mental wellbeing included taking time to do things we enjoy, eating well and staying active, being part of a social group, and setting goals or committing ourselves to a good cause.
He said men particularly are socially-conditioned to be stoic, and may not be aware of their declining mental wellbeing or know what to do about it.
“If we can share the tools, it makes us a stronger community.”
Indications that someone’s ‘not travelling well’ include social withdrawal, low energy levels, changes in sleep patterns, unusual behavours and increased dependence on drugs.
Mr Carrigg’s colleague Stacey Doosey – also a coordinator with the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program – described The Hub in Rouse St as a great resource for the Tenterfield community, providing access to a range of resources for people seeking support. Calling the Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511, available 24/7, can also connect anyone with appropriate mental health care if they’re struggling.
