What is Mental Health?

Mental health is about wellness. A person with good mental health is considered to be in a state of wellbeing. They feel good, function well and are positive. These people are emotionally mature and can cope with the normal stresses of life, they’re resilient, realise their potential, contribute to the community and work productively.

What can cause mental illness?

Genetics – There are biological factors that can be passed down through the genes from one generation to the next. Mental illness can be inherited genetically from our parents. Hormones can also be responsible for changes in moods affecting mental health.

Trauma in Early Life – events like abuse or neglect can strongly influence mental health in later life.

Recent Events – things that have just happened or that we undergo in life can affect a person’s mental health like; stress at work, study or experiencing a traumatic event can affect our emotions.

Social Factors – financial problems, constant negative thoughts, family violence, breakdowns in the family or isolation.

Thought Life – mental illnesses can also be influenced by cognitive patterns, our thoughts, including how we perceive ourselves and our self-esteem.

Drug Use – taking recreational drugs or drinking excessive alcohol or other substances for prolonged periods of time.

Detecting mental illness – Some common signs

Some common signs of mental illness are listed below. If a person is experiencing any of these symptoms, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are mentally ill as many situations can cause us to feel one or two of these at any given time. If a person experiences many of the symptoms for prolonged periods of time talking to a GP to discuss the matter is recommended.

• Substance abuse – self medicating
• Excessive worrying
• Mood swings and mood changes
• Excessive sadness and crying for no reason
• Eating habits drastically change
• Having trouble coping with usual activities – feeling overwhelmed
• Trouble with concentration
• Feeling depressed or down
• Not interested in doing what they usually do
• Having trouble sleeping or sleeping more than usual
• Lack of motivation
• Decline in performance levels at work or at school

How can we Improve our mental health?

This list contains the most practical and necessary things we can do to help improve our own mental health.

• Exercise regularly
• Get enough sleep
• Develop new skills, keep learning
• Set realistic goals for yourself
• Talk about your feelings and express them clearly
• Eat healthy
• Spend time with family and friends
• Relax
• Take up a hobby
• Talk to your doctor or mental health professional

Sources

Health Direct – Mental Health Disorders

Reach Out – What is Mental Health?

Mind Health Connect Mental Illness and Health

Where to Get Help

Talk to your doctor and see a mental health professional.

Visit CCAA to search for a Christian counsellor near you.

Visit ACA to search for a counsellor near you.

Free 24/7 Counselling Services

Lifeline on 13 11 14

Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800

MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978

Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467

Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36

Headspace on 1800 650 890

Studying at aifc

Have you thought about counselling?   It’s a great opportunity to learn how you can extend God’s love and grace to the hurting out in the community.

For those who would like to enrol in aifc’s accredited Christian counselling courses we have two intakes per year for courses commencing around the following months:

1. At The beginning of each year in February.
2. Mid-Year courses commence in July.

Enrolment season opens 2-3 months prior our courses commencing. Enquire now and fill out the form with your details to receive course information by email.  Enrol online here during our enrolment season.

Those living overseas can study aifc’s courses via our Distance Based Program.
The International  Student Program,  enables those with a student visa to Study On Campus in Sydney.

Note: A Master of Counselling course will be commencing in 2018.

Contact aifc Monday to Friday from 9am – 5pm with your enquiries on 6242 5111 or toll free on 1300 721 397