Healthy Minds

Looking after your mental health! 

Select a topic by clicking the button below or scroll down to explore and discover how to take care of yourself.

What is mental health?

A healthy mind is a key cornerstone of a healthy life - the way your mind functions is a large influence on how your life functions. If you want to have a healthy mind, you need to look after your mental health. While people tend to think of mental health as mental illness, what it actually refers to is the general well-being of the way you think, regulate your feelings, and behave. Mental health isn’t just for people with poor mental health, it is for everyone! 

However, we know that sometimes you might come across hard circumstances in your life, and your mental health can take a toll. When your mental health isn’t functioning at its best, it can impact other areas of your life and make it difficult for you to:

  • Maintain personal or family relationships.

  • Perform at work or school.

  • Learn at a level according to your age and intelligence.

  • Participate in other important activities.

HEALTHY MINDS Looking after your mental health! .png

How do I know if I should be concerned about my mental health?

Everyone has down days and experiences hard times, and we know that this can really affect your emotions. But what is considered ‘normal’ mental health? Patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviours can be indicators when to seek help for yourself or a loved one. If you notice that your thoughts, feelings and behaviours are consistently interfering with your ability to function in everyday life, it might be time to reach out for help. It is important to note that cultural norms and social expectations play a role in defining mental health disorders - what may be normal in one society may be cause for concern in another.

Remember, it’s okay to feel down sometimes; it’s a normal part of life and it doesn’t mean that anything is wrong with you. Being afraid of giving a speech in public does not necessarily mean that you have a mental health disorder, it might just mean that you have a case of logical nerves. But at what point does shyness turn into social phobia?

We offer you help in understanding how mental health conditions are identified.

 

When should I ask for help?

Different types of mental health conditions have their own signs and symptoms, however there are a few common factors. It might be time to get help if you’re experiencing the following:

  • Changes in diet and sleep schedules

  • Inability to cope with problems or activities of daily living

  • Feeling of disconnection or withdrawal from normal activities

  • Excessive anxiety

  • Prolonged sadness, depression, or apathy

  • Thoughts or statements about suicide or harm to others

  • Substance abuse

  • Extreme mood swings

  • Excessive anger, hostility, or violent behaviour

HEALTHY MINDS Looking after your mental health! -3.png

Other reasons for seeking help from a professional might include:

  • a personal difficulty, such as anxiety or discomfort,

  • a painful situation, such as illness, grief, trauma, or separation,

  • relational difficulties, such as relationship problems, problems in the family, or at work,

  • either a desire for change or for work in itself.

If you feel like the problem at hand exceeds your ability to cope, or is preventing you from living and experiencing an enjoyable life, it can be helpful to talk to a professional. It might be as simple as experiencing a difference between what you want to do and the actual results you are getting. Or sometimes, you might not even be clear on what the problem is, or what to do about it. Professionals are equipped to help you with exactly this!

It is important to recognise that mental health issues are actually brain health issues; they are deficiencies in the physical health of your brain. Just as you would take care of yourself physically by going to a doctor or exercising regularly, it is important to also take care of ourselves mentally by putting practices in place and visiting professionals for a ‘check up’.

 

How do i improve my mental health?

When talking about health, it is easy to assume we are talking about physical health. However, it’s important to be aware that mental health is as important as physical health, and that if mentally we are not well, this will affect our body. It is essential to be attentive to our mental health and try to maintain a balance of our general health, asking for help if necessary.

Here are some tips to having good mental health that you can adapt to your interests, tastes and leisure activities:

  • Get outside in the sun.

  • Catch up with friends or family.

  • Move your body.

  • Get a good night's sleep.

  • Eat healthy.

  • Read a book.

  • Take a hot bath.

  • Watch a movie or your favourite tv show.

  • Practice some deep breathing.

  • Get a massage.

HEALTHY MINDS Looking after your mental health! -2.png

 

HERE ARE SOME MORE USEFUL RESOURCES FOR HEALTHY MINDS

Apps to Download

 
 
 

Websites + Articles

https://brainhealthassessment.com/: An online assessment that provides accurate, real-time, lifestyle and product recommendations to improve your brain health no matter your starting point.

https://www.talkingchange.nhs.uk/resources: An online resources for information on mindfulness, worksheets, apps and more

Depression: 

Anxiety:

 

ORGANISATIONS to connect with

For children/teenagers (15-25)

  • Headspace.org.au - Deals with life issues, health and wellbeing, mental health, alcohol and drugs, work and study.

  • Beyond Blue Phone: 1300 2246 36

  • Lifeline Phone: 13 11 14

  • Mental Health (24/7) Phone: 1300 642 255

 

FAITH-BASED RESOURCES AND SUPPORT

Prayer 

Father in the Name of Jesus I come boldly to Your throne of grace to obtain mercy and grace in this time of need. You are my hiding place. You surround me with songs and shouts of deliverance. By accepting Jesus Your Word says You have delivered me from the spirit of fear and shame, depression and anxiety. You have given me beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. I thank you Father for the anointing of ease over my life today. That you would make my crooked places straight. I will not continually struggle. What used to be difficult will not be difficult anymore because your favour and blessings are lightening the load and taking the pressure off. Teach me your ways that I may be wise. Shine your light on the dark places in my heart and heal my soul. I surrender all Jesus.

Dear Jesus, You are the strength of my life; You are my rock, my fortress and my protector; therefore, who should I fear? You are my shield, my strong-tower and my stronghold.I will call to You because You are worthy to be praised. So, Father, I thank you for being my strength and My God in whom I trust. Psalm 27:1

Heavenly Father, Lately I’ve been so worried about things that are out of my control. Help me to trust that you are working every little detail of my life out and that I have nothing to fear or worry about. In Jesus’s Name.

Scriptures

  • Philippians 4: 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

  • Philippians 4: 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

  • Psalm 9:9 The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

  • Psalm 147: 3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Playlist

Reading plans 

Inspiring messages

Books

  • Overcoming Depression - Joyce Meyer 

  • The New Bible Cure for Depression & Anxiety - Dr Don Colbert, MD

  • Harnessing your Emotions - Andrew Wommack

  • Living with a Black Dog:  His Name is Depression - Matthew Johnstone

  • The End of Mental Illness: How - Daniel Amen

  • Battlefield of the Mind - Joyce Meyer

  • Why Am I Feeling Like this? A Teen’s Guide - David Murray

  • I Declare - 31 Promises to Speak Over Your Life - Joel Osteen 

  • Put your Words to Work - a 31 Day Faith Project - Gloria Copeland

  • Anxious: Choosing Faith in a World of Worry by Amy Simpson

  • Boundaries: When to Say YES, When to Say NO, To Take Control of Your Life by Dr. John Townsend and Dr. Henry Cloud 

  • Finding Quiet: My Story of Overcoming Anxiety and the Practices that Brought Peace by Dr. J.P. Moreland 

  • I Am Not Sick, I Don’t Need Help! How to Help Someone Accept Treatment by Dr. Xavier Amador

  • For additional recommended books and resources please visit, www.kaywarren.com/recommended-resources 

 
This website is provided for general information only. It is presented in good faith, however we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information on the site. We encourage you to conduct your own research and enquiries. This website provides links to external websites. It’s Not Ok does not control and accepts no liability for the content of those websites or for any loss arising from use or reliance on those websites. It’s Not Ok does not endorse any external website and does not warrant that they are accurate, authentic or complete. Your use of any external website is governed by the terms of that website.

This website is provided for general information only. It is presented in good faith, however we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information on the site. We encourage you to conduct your own research and enquiries. This website provides links to external websites. It’s Not Ok does not control and accepts no liability for the content of those websites or for any loss arising from use or reliance on those websites. It’s Not Ok does not endorse any external website and does not warrant that they are accurate, authentic or complete. Your use of any external website is governed by the terms of that website.