Jul262020

Mental health has always been a taboo topic. It’s something people may feel awkward or ashamed talking about due to social stigmas. What most people don’t realise is that mental health issues affect a very large proportion of people.

  • In fact, one in five (20%) Australians aged 16-85 experience a mental illness in any year
  • 5% have one disorder and 8.5% have two or more disorders
  • Almost half (45%) Australians will experience a mental illness in their lifetime and 54% of people with mental illness do not access any treatment, via Black Dog Institute, 2020.
  • 3 million Australians are living with anxiety or depression (Beyond Blue)

I cannot stress enough that mental health is something we should be able to discuss openly and freely without judgement – hence why this blog was written.

Mental health can strike ALL types of people from university students, school kids, professionals, athletes, mums and dads, young kids, teenagers the list goes on! It’s not just what you see on mainstream media… Mental health doesn’t discriminate – it can affect anyone in varying severities and can affect each person differently. I’ve seen some of the most caring, beautiful souls get struck down by mental health issues.

Now more than ever, mental health issues are affecting a larger amount of people due to the current circumstances. Families are split apart with no idea when they can see each other again, unemployment rates are at an all time high and small, local business are struggling – some may never recover. As someone who has recently opened up a small, locally owned business, I can tell you first hand the impact positivity brings to myself and my staff. Something as simple as receiving positive feedback or purchasing one of our products means so much to us! You’ve taken time out of your day to reach out and show your support. Something I learnt pretty early on in the sporting world was that you could get several positive/constructive criticisms after a game or training and receive one negative comment… Have a guess which one you focus most of your energy on? Which one sticks with you? Which one impacts your performance?

The negative one. 

This is often the same for day to day life – work, friends, family. When things are said in a positive or polite manner, it can be incredibly uplifting and motivating, but say one negative or destructive comment – that crushes positivity and self-confidence.

The current global health crisis has resulted in millions of people being shut off from family, friends, support networks and physical contact – with the full impacts of this still yet to be realised.

 

So, how do we help overcome this?! We can start with a few simple actions: 

  • Check in with someone you haven’t spoken to in a while
  • Smile and say hi to the cashier
  • Ask your friends and family if they are ok – give them the opportunity to talk and be heard
  • Buy a locally made product over one made and owned overseas
  • Keep criticisms constructive
  • Check in with your friends because when you’re feeling down or stressed and someone takes the time to reach out and say “hi” or “how are you?” that can change the whole outlook of your day
  • Keep active and eat healthy as much as possible
  • Get outdoors (where safe) and breathe
  • LISTEN

At The Alchemist Lab we are first and foremost pharmacists and one of our best skill sets is that we are good at listening and are accessible to anyone.

You are not alone in this, help is out there and most importantly don’t ever feel ashamed or afraid to tell your life story. Sometimes all it takes is for someone to share their experiences and struggles to see that we are not all that different. No one should have to suffer in silence. The world would be a lot better if there was more love and understanding in it. It’s ok to have a different opinion or belief to someone, but remember just as much as it’s ok for you to have that opinion or belief it’s also that other persons right to have theirs.

Hold yourself accountable for the things you say and do. Just because someone appears to be ok, doesn’t meant that they are.

If you or someone you know if suffering, here are some helpful organisations you can contact:

Category: Health