Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.  Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood and beyond.

Reflecting on 2021, our MH has been subject to a lot during this uncertain period. Being cut off from friends and family, unable to go to work, go to the gym, gigs and even football matches. Workplaces being closed; changing routines or making your own home become a office, or the worry of not earning your regular wage.

Its now more fitting than ever to let 2022 be the year you prioritise your mental health. But what does that mean?

Tuning In’ to Mental Health

As individuals we can start to become aware and take action to support good mental health by simply ‘Tuning In’ to what is happening within you and the world around you. 

By ‘Tuning In’ to yourself, you can build your self-awareness and make effective choices that will hopefully improve your ability to cope and survive life’s challenges.  

There are four ways to ‘Tune In’ to mental health:

• Tune In to yourself
• Tune In to others
• Turn In to communities
• Tune In to stigma

You can Tune In to yourself, by asking yourself:

• What can I sense right now? (See, smell, taste, touch and listen)
• How do I feel right now? (What you are feeling, focus you mind and understand what you are going through on the inside of your body)

You can focus your senses by:

• Sitting silently
• Going for a walk
• Practising self-care
• Doing something creative, like drawing, painting knitting
• Listening to music or meditating

You can also share your feelings and experiences with other people to help them understand how you are feeling now.

You can ‘Tune In’ to other people by:

• Seeking to understanding what people might be feeling and why?
• Observing how others are behaving/feeling
• Asking people how they are feeling, inviting them to talk?
• Engaging in a hobby together
• Sharing a cuppa
• Simply engaging with someone

 How can you ‘Tune In’ to your community?

• Join a social group like those as Connect Health & Community
• Join a local hobby group
• Go to free community events and libraries
• Encouraging your community or workplace to take part in mental health awareness activities
• Challenging mental health around negative ideas
• Reaching out to people who are isolated

How can you Tune In to stigma?

• Be aware of how people in your environment react to Mental Health issues
• Encourage people to talk about their mental health and what they are doing to stay mentally healthy
• Encourage people to explore or seek help for their mental health.
• Encourage compassion for other experience poor mental health.

Mind Ready provides Mental Health First Aid Certification.

More broader information can be found on https://mhfa.com.au