School Nurse

''Mental health is about wellness rather than illness''

So rather than being about ‘what’s the problem?’ it’s really about ‘what’s going well?'

 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines "mental health" as "state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community," so if someone has a mental health issue preventing them from this, they need to seek help and possibly treatment.

Mental Health Week 9th to 15th October

October 10th marked World Mental Health Day, established in 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health to inform and raise awareness about different mental conditions and sicknesses and to help people find support and understand more about mental health. The 2016 focus for World Mental Health Day in 2016 is ‘Dignity in Mental Health - Psychological & Mental Health First Aid for All’.

 

On Tuesday October 11, the inaugural headspace national day of awareness was about ensuring every young person in Australia has access to youth friendly, mental health services no matter where they live. Headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds, along with assistance in promoting young peoples’ wellbeing.

 

This covers four core areas: mental health, physical health, work and study support and alcohol and other drug services. Information and services for young people, their families and friends as well as health professionals can be accessed through the website, headspace centres, and online counselling service headspace.

 

These events follow RUOK? Day, officially the second Thursday of September.

 

All around Australia we are encouraged to check in with our family and friends to see how they’re doing. A lot of the time it can be really hard to know how someone is feeling and the only way to learn is to ask them. Having this conversation is really important as more and more people going through tough times need to feel safe to talk about what they’re experiencing.                                              

 

RUOK’s mission is to inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with people around them and support anyone struggling with life. It's this lack of connection (or lack of belonging) that we want to prevent.

By inspiring people to take the time to ask "are you ok?" and listen, we can help people struggling with life feel connected. It all comes down to regular, face-to-face, meaningful conversations about life. And asking “are you ok?” is a great place to start.

 

3 million Australians are living with depression or anxiety.

Mental Health Support Resources

Reach Out provides practical tools and support to help young people get through everything from everyday issues to tough times.

 

http://au.reachout.com/

https://www.headspace.org.au

Beyond Blue provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live.

 

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

Ask a question, start a conversation. Get some more info on how to ask a friend if they're okay.  www.ruok.org.au/‎

 

'Keep Well & Stay Safe'

Rosemary Van Aperen

School Nurse