What is mental health?

Mental health is a state of wellbeing that includes emotional, psychological and social factors that encourage people to manage normal everyday life stresses, including work, home and community engagement. It can represent a continuum of wellness, which can be impacted by one’s life experiences, genetics and environment (World Health Organisation, 2025).

Why is good mental health important?

Good mental health helps you to cope with life’s daily challenges. Having good mental health helps you to:

· Appreciate and enjoy life

· Deal effectively with life’s challenges

· Develop and maintain positive relationships with others

· Reach your potential

What can impact my mental health?

· Ongoing stress (i.e., at home, work, school)

· Physical health problems

· Ageing

· Negative self-talk and/or low self-esteem

· Biological factors, such as genetics and hormones

· Feeling isolated

· Poor diet and/or exercise

· Bullying and harassment

· Alcohol and drug use/abuse

· Financial worries or stress

· Family or relationship issues

· Grief and loss

How can I improve my mental health?

· Exercising regularly

· Eating a healthy diet/regular eating

· Getting enough sleep

· Reducing drug and/or alcohol use

· Talking to supportive friends and/or family

· Relaxing in ways you enjoy (i.e., self-care)

· Support seeking (i.e., GP, Psychologist)

What is a mental health continuum?

It can be helpful to consider mental health as a continuum which can provide words to describe your mental health, both when you are feeling well or when you are struggling.

When to seek support?

It can be important to consider seeking support if you are feeling unsettled, struggling or in crisis or when your concerns persist for longer than 2-weeks.

How to seek support?

When unsettled – Speak to trusted others and share your concerns, or call 24/7 helpline services

When struggling – Seek professional support – GP visit and/or referral to Psychologist

When in crisis – Call 000 (Police/Ambulance/Fire), or go to your nearest hospital emergency department

Article written by Jocelyn Clarke, Psychologist

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Support Contacts:

Police/Ambulance/Fire – 000

Lifeline – 13 11 14

Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636

Suicide Line – 1300 651 251

Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467