Blog Category: Mental Health
I Didn’t See Myself Studying A Christian Counselling Course
When two of my sisters were studying aifc counselling courses they would encourage me to enrol in a course. While I was happy for them to be growing, and understood their passion, I told myself, “It’s not for me. What could I possibly get out of it?” I was focused on, and equally as passionate…
How Mental Illness Impairs A Person’s Thinking & Judgement
Mental illness can impair a person’s thinking, affecting their own judgement, even to the point of ignoring the help of others.
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder? (SAD)
Seasonal Affective Disorder also known as SAD, a form of recurrent major depression affecting some people during seasonal changes.
Help Line Calls Surge After Release of Netflix ‘13 Reasons Why’ Depicting Teen Suicide
Labelled the latest binge-worthy series from Netflix, ’13 Reasons Why’ also has many people alarmed by the content of the show. The series features a high school student, Hannah Baker played by Perth actress Katherine Langford, who after suffering cyber bullying and sexual assault takes her own life leaving behind a box of tapes pointing…
Unions Organise Mental Health Training to Help Australian Truck Drivers
The truck driving industry is a very male dominated industry. Professional truck drivers face a higher risk than other Australians of developing depression. ABC News reports as many as 1 in 5 truck drivers in Australia are experiencing mental health issues. In a recent survey of over 4000 drivers, 918 of them said they had…
Reading Books & Keeping An Active Mind Can Boost Mental Health
From a very young age parents, teachers and adults encourage children to read because reading educates and has been known to develop and improve vocabulary, grammar and reasoning power. Reading promotes deep thinking while increasing understanding and imagination. In all schools reading has long been considered the foundation of all education. While reading is relaxing,…
The Growing Number Of Homeless People in Australia
Most of us whip out our warm winter clothing, put our heaters on, and enjoy warm meals and hot drinks under a blanket to snuggle up with a good book or to watch a movie in our creature comforts when the temperature drops during the cold winter months. For many people who are living on…
When Adult Children Don’t Take Responsibility
Raising our children to become independent responsible adults is the primary goal of most parents around the globe. But what happens when our adult children prefer to stay at home, play video games and sit on the couch all day, refusing to get a job or to take responsibility for their own lives? Many parents…
Aboriginal Children Being Scarred by Process
The landmark ‘Bringing Them Home’ report on ‘The Stolen Generations’ was delivered in Federal Parliament in 1997. The Report detailed the damage caused to Indigenous Australia when their children were forcibly removed from their families by the government to be placed elsewhere for education. Aboriginal Children living in ‘Out Of Home Care’ has risen significantly…
Mental Health of The Australian Police Force
ABC News reported how changes are impacting on the mental health of Australian Police. On the 29th May police officer Brett Forde was shot dead by gunman Rick Maddison who fired at police in an overnight standoff. In a separate incident, Sergeant Brendan Poustie was hit by a car while he was jogging and soon…
Forgiving The Unthinkable – Repairing The Breach
When tragedy strikes, we can find ourselves getting angry with God asking, “Why did this have to happen to me?” However, even in those most difficult times when we are angry we are called to be faithful as the bible tells us that even in our anger we are not to sin. “In your anger do…
How Forgiveness is tied to our own Mental Health
Most of us have done things in the past or have had things done to us that we’d rather not think about. These recurring images and thoughts can bring about mixed emotions. Numbing the pain with addictions and substance abuse in order to forget will just make us repeat or ‘groundhog day’ until the…
What is Animal Assisted Therapy?
Animals and pets have long being thought to bring out the best in us. Guide dogs have been and used for years to assist the blind giving them mobility. Now in Australia and abroad some mental health professionals are using animals as part of their therapy. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) involves the use of animals as a form…
Tips for Loving Yourself After A Relationship Break Up
Married couples enter relationships hoping it will last a lifetime. We work hard at establishing a genuine connection built on trust and unconditional love. Then suddenly it happens, he or she announces that they’re leaving and we just don’t know why or what we’ve done wrong. Feelings of powerlessness and rejection begin to overwhelm us…
Healthy Minds Are Just As Important As Healthy Bodies
Have you ever wondered why school kids get so much homework? Teachers are onto the fact that repetition and revision is necessary to remember what we are trying to learn. The body and the mind need regular workouts. Memory improves with repetition every day just like our fitness levels do when we exercise our bodies.…
Parents Be Vigilant About Protecting Children From Online Predators
Recently the ABC reported that a 16 year old Sydney girl was lured to the United States by a convicted 39 year old predator who allegedly groomed the girl on Snapchat. An international police operation rescued the girl from the basement of the accused man’s home. Unfortunately these are the times we live in and…
Churches Addressing Mental Health Issues Offer Grace & Hope
Churches can become trained to recognise mental illness and be better equipped to extend God’s grace and hope to those who are mentally unwell.
8 Steps for Empowering Children with Intrinsic Motivation
Of the many factors that can predict a student’s failure, the lack of intrinsic (self) motivation. This is the main reason why students fail.
Our Communities Rely On The Strength Of The Family
The strength of the family plays a vital role as the building blocks for the community producing a safer, healthier and more secure environment to live in.
Living With Chronic Pain Can Be Very Distressing
Chronic pain is common in Australia and all over the world. Carrying ongoing aches and pains places a huge burden on the body and on the mind causing fatigue. Regular daily tasks become an excruciating and exhausting exercise. Routines can easily become overwhelming and psychologically distressing for those who have it, making them prone to…
We Have The Power To Control Our Thought Life
For our own good mental health it’s essential that we take control of the thoughts we focus on, paying specific attention to our self-talk. Thinking unhealthy & negative thoughts can shape us into the person we will become that may eventually determine our actions. What can Christians do to practice thinking healthy thoughts? Cleaning Up…
Allowing Ourselves To Experience Vulnerability For Personal Growth
Vulnerability is a difficult thing to master. Yet, it is in vulnerability that we cultivate courage within ourselves. I personally don’t like being vulnerable. There’s a creepy sense of transparency that makes me really uncomfortable. The shame of not being good enough or the dread of being judged by others is why I have avoided public speaking for…
Jesus Christ The Risen Lord Transforming Lives Today
Jesus died and rose from the dead at Easter offering himself as atonement for man’s sins. We often focus only on the death of Jesus at Easter, and while this is important, we can sometimes forget that 3 days later Jesus rose from the dead. In so doing Jesus conquered death and provided us all…
Neuroplasticity – The Good News About NEW Brain Disorders
The brain's ability to reshape itself with our thoughts is great news helping us to understand how we can reshape our future by changing our thinking.
