Todays world can be chaotic and overwhelming - it's ok not to be ok.

'Mental Health' - an incredibly frequently used term but one that is often misunderstood. It's often used when referring to mental health conditions such as depression or schizophrenia but according to the World Health Organisation mental health is defined as “a state of well-being in which every individual realises 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.”

With this in mind, Mental Health is more about wellness than illness, hence the terminology now used includes 'mental well-being', 'positive mental health', 'good mental health' or 'mental fitness', and just as you would take care and pay attention to a physical ailment, it's vital to take stock of your mental state and pay attention if it's not as good as it could be. The stigma around mental health being a weakness must become a thing of the past.

Nobody is immune to experiencing poor mental health at some stage of their lives. All age groups, gender, and ethnicity are vulnerable and if anything is for certain, it's that the challenges and stresses of the last 2 years have given rise to anxiety, sadness, depression, and other mental health related illnesses at an unprecedented level.

The numbers are scary and sadly mental illness is quite common. One in five (20%) Australians aged 16-85 experience a mental illness in any year and every day, 6 Australians die of suicide which is the no 1. cause of death for the 25–44 year age group, and the 2nd cause to 15-24 year olds - meaning that more Australians are likely to die to suicide than to skin cancer (blackdog).



There are a variety of reasons why someone may be experiencing low mental health; anything including major life changes, grief, chronic pain, corporate burnout, tension, poor lifestyle choices, relationship breakdowns, world events, natural disasters... the list goes on and triggers could be large or small. It is different for everyone; no one size fits all when it comes to detecting symptoms and getting help but one of the most important things to remember is that it's ok not to be ok.

We need to break the stigma surrounding mental health and start talking about it openly and honestly and to support each other through tough times and reach out if we ourselves are struggling. Don't wait for things to get better; take control and do something about it but ultimately be kind to yourself; there might not be a quick fix to resolve everything overnight but moving in the right direction step by step day by day will help.

Experiencing mental health issues, however big or small can play a huge part in managing your career and your overall career enjoyment. From corporate burnout to stress, you may start to notice more than manageable levels of stress creeping into your day.

• You may find it hard to concentrate
• You might have trouble meeting deadlines
• Your quality of work may suffer
• You may start making more mistakes
• Your attendance or punctuality might become an issue
• Your fulfillment and interest may be dwindling
• You may find yourself more tired, restless, fidgety or hold feelings of hopelessness

By recognising and acknowledging that things like this are not your normal behaviour, you can take steps to address them. So often real feelings are suppressed and hidden in an attempt to conform or fit in with what is considered the social norm, but this just isn't healthy and can lead to much bigger problems down the road.

Starting a conversation about mental health and how you are feeling is often the challenging part for many people. It can be hard to admit that you're not coping, or you may feel embarrassed, but it is so important to reach out for help whether that be from a friend, family member, your GP or a professional.

As outlined in the recent study by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, insights indicate that 3.4 million Australians aged 16-85 years (17%) saw a health professional over 2020/2021 for their mental health. But with an increasingly burnt-out health profession, gaining access to support could be harder than ever as these professionals are not immune to their own mental health and the struggles they have faced in their own workplaces. So, if you can't access professional help soon - there are still things you can do.

First of all, the mantra of it’s ok not to be ok has to become part of the fabric of conversation. Australian culture can often dictate the attitude of 'toughen up, don't worry about it - she'll be right' or that it's the norm to 'drown the sorrows' over a few beers when you've had a rough day.

My personal tips to aid an overall state of wellness include:

1. Talk about it: experiencing mental health issues is still somewhat of a taboo topic but if we normalise the conversation, it takes away some of the stigma. Whether that be professional help or simply confiding in a friend or family member, the value of talking openly is immense.
2. Switch off and take time for a digital detox - put your phone or laptop away of an evening (even better if it's physically out of reach). This means you can be present in the moment with friends or family and not be tempted to check emails.
3. Avoid social media - these platforms often provide an unrealistic and unachievable lifestyle or impression, which may contribute to feelings of inadequacy.
4. Exercise - even if it's just a short walk each day, fresh air and some endorphins can do wonders for your state of mind.
5. Try meditation and mindfulness - both have been shown to be extremely beneficial in managing stress levels.
6. Eat a healthy diet - what we put into our bodies has a direct correlation with how we feel.
7. Make time for things you enjoy outside of work - whether that's reading, cooking, gardening, fishing or anything else that brings you joy.
8. Write down how you're feeling - get it all out of your head and onto paper. This can help to organise your thoughts and give some clarity.
9. Avoid alcohol and/or other vices when the day has been particularly tough. Be conscious of your choices and opt to substitute alcohol with something else. The range of non-alcoholic options these days is impressive!
10. Be honest and be vulnerable. It's almost the automatic response to say 'good' when someone asks how you are. Change the response - if you are not doing so great try opening up - 'I'm not feeling amazing to be honest'.

On the flip side, if it’s not you that is struggling, make the effort to ask if someone is ok. A simple conversation could make all the difference to someone's day, week or life. If you are an employer or colleague, observe your teammates and genuinely make an effort to check in with them, and sometimes it may take a few attempts.

What do you think corporations across Australia could do to assist employees be able to operate in “a state of well-being in which every individual realises 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”.

What helps you with your mental wellbeing? Would love to hear from my network on how we can help each other.

If you are struggling or know someone who is, there are also many helplines and websites that offer support and advice, including beyondblue, Lifeline, Blackdog and Headspace.

#mentalwellbeing #mentalhealth #startaconversation #workingwithwest