Presentation by Hunter institute of Mental Health Director Jaelea Skehan for Being Well forum held Tuesday 9th August at Belmont 16 Foot Sailing Club www.himh.org.au

1. Being Well: Why is being
mentally healthy important?
Jaelea Skehan
Director, Hunter Institute of Mental Health

2. The Hunter Institute of Mental Health is a
leading national organisation dedicated to
reducing mental illness and suicide and
improving wellbeing for all Australians.
We have worked from our base in Newcastle,
NSW for 24 years.

3. What is mental health and what
does it mean to you?

4. State of wellbeing, where we can
realise our potential, cope with normal
stressors, live and work fruitfully, and
make a contribution to society
More than the absence of illness
Relevant to every one of us.

6. Which of these is most likely to
‘bounce’ or ‘bounce back’?

7. What if this was the surface they
were bouncing off?

8. So mental health and resilience can
be built in the individual, but the
environment is also important.
Our family, workplace, school and broader
community environment matter.

9. An analogy:
How did I become an
expert in keeping my
car running well?
My first car –
a Datsun 120Y.

10. Things a car needs to run well…

11. Tips for Being Well
• Sleep and rest
• Take time out
• Be active and eat well
• Connect with others
• Get involved
• Build confidence
• Accept yourself and
others
• Set realistic goals
• Reach out for help
when you need it
• Learn to manage
stress.

12. Tips for managing stress…

13. 1. Give yourself
permission to
struggle...
....but also have
struggle free
zones of your
life.

14. 2. Keep things in perspective
Focus on what
you can change
and use your
values to help
you make
decisions.

15. 3. Know your stress busters...
and USE them
•Exercise e.g. walk, swim, ride
•Relaxation e.g. yoga, tai chi
•Sleep e.g. getting a good night sleep
Physical
•Have someone you can talk to about what is happening
•Have people you can spend time with where you don’t talk about
what is happening
•Spend time with people you like
Social
•Positive sensory experiences e.g. bath, massage, music
•Having a way of expressing feelings e.g. journal, art, talking
•Having a way of making sense of what is happening for you e.g.
counselling, church, advocacy
Emotions
•Proactive problem solving e.g. write a list; action what you can
•Looking for what you have learnt from the situation and the new
opportunities
•Spending time thinking/ doing something you enjoy
Cognitive

16. 4. Stay in the moment
• Often stress is because of worry about what might
happen or because of focusing on things that have
already happened.
• It can be helpful to bring yourself back to this
moment. Even for short periods of time:
– (e.g. 1 minute), focus on your breathing, what you
can see, hear, smell. Then bring yourself back to
what you need to do.

17. 5. Reach OUT!
Be OK with asking for
help - it might be
asking for practical
assistance or moral
support…
….and do it early and
don’t wait until you
hit crisis point.

18. What would you
do if you were
worried something
wasn’t quite right
with the car?

19. What would you do if you were worried
about a friend or family member’s car?

20. How can you assist a family,
friend or colleague?
 Spend time talking about their experiences
 Indicate you have noticed changes in behaviour
 Let them know you will listen without judgement
 Assist them to access help for their symptoms
 Talk openly about mental illness
 Encourage exercise, a healthy diet and involvement
 Assist them to find further information or connect with
other supports.

21. What people DON’T need
Ø Being told to ‘snap out of it’ or ‘cheer up’
Ø People avoiding them
Ø Assuming the problem will go away on its own
Ø Stigma.

22. If mental illness affects 1 in 5 of us directly
each year, how many more of us are
indirectly affected as family, friends,
colleagues?

23. Things people who care for
someone need:
 Better information
 Awareness of the personal and emotional impact of caring
 Tips for managing responsibilities
 Coping and self-care strategies
 Advice on how to nurture their relationships
 Understanding from other family, friends and colleagues
 Awareness of services they can access
 Hope for the future.

24. Supports and services
• GP
• EAP service
• Mental Health Line – 1800 011 511
• Lifeline - 13 11 14
• beyondblue - 1300 651 251
• MensLine - 1300 78 99 78
www.himh.org.au
www.partnersindepression.com.au