Language is such a powerful tool that we can use to shift perspective and facilitate change, but we need to reframe our language where we use terms like healing or recovery. that puts emphasis on the individual, as opposed to the mental health condition.
It removes the connotation that the label brings, which further fuels the mental health stigma that we are working to rid society of, but we have to be persistent in our efforts.
We need to make a conscious effort to empower ourselves and those around us so that we can shine a light and ensure that mental health is no longer a taboo topic of discussion.
Start simple by sharing your learnings, educate yourself and seek professional help when appropriate, and feel comfortable talking about how or why you feel depressed, anxious or stressed.
Why wouldn’t we want to break this cycle and invest in our social and emotional well-being? All change starts somewhere, but start by making small but effective changes to cultivate new habits, so why not try some of the strategies below?
- CONNECTION, As human beings, we want connection and a sense of belonging, so focus on building positive relationships to improve your self-esteem and sharing experiences with like-minded people, which creates a healthy support network.
- MAKE TIME, Since time is often a commodity, we waste it even if not intentionally, so structure your day to recharge time and attack those pesky tasks that manage to allude us! Establishing a routine creates consistency throughout our lives, but it also allows us to account for that important time we often don’t allot to ourselves.
- AFFIRMATIONS, What can I say other than love and use daily! The purpose of affirmations or positive self-talk results in us replacing negative thoughts with new positive ones, but the key is consistency! Repeat, repeat, and repeat this in your mind, as the goal is to invest in the beliefs you are affirming so that behavior change will follow, such as:
- I deserve happiness and peace in my life.
- Emotions are like visitors that come and go, so it’s okay, as this feeling will pass.
- I won’t let my mind be a bully to my body
- I am stronger than the storm
- SEEK HELP, I can’t stress enough the importance of communicating when you feel overwhelmed, please ignore the fallacy many of us grew up with that “seeking help was a sign of weakness”. This couldn’t be further from the truth! Seeking help shows that you are interested in meeting your challenges to improve your life!
Booking an appointment with your GP to access a mental health care plan to access supports and investing in committing to appointments with a mental health professional will ensure you are provided with tools and strategies relevant to your needs to improve and maintain your general well-being.
Resilience is built with every action you take to improve your well-being, so remember your worth as there is only one like you.
Be sure to modify your routine, as these adjustments and investments in your mental health will lead to sustainable positive changes that will allow you to focus on creating balance in all domains of your life because you are worth it.
- Kym Marsden is an Indigenous Forensic Mental Health Coordinator based in Queensland.
