Blog

By Sophie Scott, author of ‘Roadtesting Happiness’

Each year, there are more and more books on the topics of happiness. Not only how to get it, but how to keep it as well. There are books like “The Science of Happiness, The How of Happiness” and “Be Happy”, just to name a few. As the medical reporter for ABC TV, I’ve read most of them! So when I wanted to write another health book, I really thought long and hard about whether the world needed another happiness book and what my book could say that hadn’t already been said before.

 Monday, 10 October 2011 09:26

Written by Katrina Davis, Mental Health Promotion Manager, Mental Health Association NSW

 What makes the biggest contribution to your wellbeing? For me it would be my family and friends and my job. What's most obviously missing from your wellbeing inventory? It's physical health that I struggle with the most. I eat like an unsupervised six year old and do next to no exercise.

Last week with the support of Parramatta City Council, the Mental Health Association NSW threw a Wellbeing Festival in the Church St Mall, Parramatta. So much effort goes into planning this sort of thing and it's interesting to see what works best on the day. Of the stage show demonstrations, I think the Martial Arts drew the biggest crowd and the WSFM street team apple giveaway proved surprisingly popular.

Of the 10 information stalls present at the event, it wasn't one of the mental health organisations that was most popular, but the stall provided by the Department of Human Services comprising information and personnel from Centrelink, CRS and Medicare.

We're focused this Mental Health Month on making individual changes to our mental, physical, social and spiritual health; on starting a new healthy habit this October.

But those structural level issues dealt with by the Department are just as important aren't they? We need access to meaningful employment and a reasonable saftey net when we are without work. We need to be supported to return to work after illness and disablity. We need access to quality health care for both our physical and mental health. 

All these are vital in enbaling us to reach our full potential and optimal mental health, and to make our best possible contribution to our communities. It was great to see these agencies participating in this Mental Health Month event and I understand they are planning other activities.

Some of these determinants of our wellbeing are harder to change than others and not everything is within our control. I said before that my job contributed greatly to my wellbeing, but without a supportive work place and effective mental health care this wouldn't have been possible.

But there's lots that is within my control. And lots of wellbeing strategies that I practice everyday to keep me well and happy. My wellbeing goal for the rest of October? I'm going to give up my daily chocolate habit. Wish me luck!

I'd love your comments on what makes the biggest difference to your wellbeing and what change you'll be making this October.   

This week is Carers Week. We would like to say a huge 'thank you' to those who are carers for people with mental illness. They provide an invaluable service, but receive little support or recognition. 

There are about 850,000 carers in NSW and they all deserve our recognition and thanks for their selfless efforts in supporting people with a disability, mental illness, chronic health conditions or people who are frail

Find out more at Carers Australia.

Who is a carer? A carer is any individual who provides unpaid care and support to a family member or friend who has a disability, mental illness, drug and alcohol dependencies, chronic condition, terminal illness or who is frail

What do carers do? Each care situation is unique. Carers may care for a few hours a week or all day every day. Some carers need to assist with tasks of daily living, and spend their days feeding, bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring or administering medications. Others care for people who are fairly independent but need supervision or help with their finances and transport. Carers also provide emotional support day in and day out for some of the most vulnerable, isolated members of our community

Sunday, 02 October 2011 18:38

This October (Mental Health Month) we're encouraging everyone to start something new to promote their mental health and wellbeing. In this blog, first published in early July 2011, Professor Timothy Sharp (Dr Happy), of the Happiness Institute, shares his tips for setting and achieving goals. 

For happiness...try something new for 30 days (and tell everyone about it)

Thursday, 07 July 2011

As some of you know, I'm currently taking part in Dry July, a great fund raiser for a range of cancer related charities where individuals or teams are sponsored (and hence raise money) by not consuming alcohol for one month. 

Now I won't bore you with all the details of why I signed up but I will share with you a few lessons I've already learned after just one week or so. 

Firstly, it's really not been that hard! I know I'm not addicted and I know, therefore, I'm not giving up anything that I would expect to be really difficult but I think we often overestimate the challenge involved in making changes. Yes, it can be hard but also, we can achieve much if we...

Which brings me to my second point, which is the benefit of setting clear and specific goals. Giving up one thing for a very specific period of time is crystal clear and, therefore, relatively straightforward. 

And related to this, making my clear and specific goal public has also been helpful. Most of my friends and colleagues know what I'm doing and although I've suffered my fair share of bad jokes around this (how can Dr. Happy be happy if he's sober?!?!) I've also had support and encouragement and received reminders and benefitted from the power of my whole social and professional network! 

 Now although I didn't realise it when I wrote my blog earlier today, this ties in nicely with the theme I covered HERE

And further, in an amazing case of synchronicity I also just stumbled upon this great (and very short - only 3 and a half minutes) little video which also makes a number of similar and supportive points. That is, making small changes, regularly, and for set periods of time and reap the rewards (having fun along the way too). 

For more blogs from Dr Happy go to www.thehappinessinstitute.com

You can comment on this blog below or join in The Happiness Institute's happiness community and discussions on their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/thehappinessinstitute

Wednesday, 28 September 2011 10:06

It's that time of year again! Mental Health Month is upon us. The office of the Mental Health Association NSW is buzzing with activity and I know that hundreds of local organisers across the state are busy putting the final details together for their Mental Health Month activities.

The theme for Mental Health Month this year, Wellbeing: Invest in Your Life, is encouraging us to think about our health and wellbeing holistically and start something new to promote our mental health, physical health, spiritual health or social health.

Have you seen the postcards for this year's campaign. I think they look great and spark lots of ideas for things we can do to enhance our wellbeing and build our resilience. For even more ideas check out the Mental Health Month factsheet on our website.

What are you going to start this October?

I'm going to try and get some more physical activity into my schedule. I used to walk home from work regularly but it's a habit that has fallen by the wayside since winter and the rains came. October is the time to re-start this habit!

Daylight saving starts and it's a great way to end the work day – I feel better knowing I've done something good for my physical health, but I also feel less stressed and able to enjoy my evenings when I've done some exercise.

Not only is it good for me physically, it's also good for the purse. I save on the cost of bus fares and I don't get home much later than the bus anyway. Those My Bus travel 10's go so much further.

I'll report back at the end of October on how I went.

Liz Priestley
CEO
Mental Health Association NSW