Looking after your Mental Health

Dr. John HilleryConsultant Psychiatrist

No Health without Mental Health

Poor mental health effects:• Social Functioning• Cognitive Functioning• Work Functioning• Bodies Resistance • Bodies Recovery Capacity• Society

Mental Health

Mental health is not just the absence of mental disorder. It is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and

fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.

WHO

Mental Health

A Continuum

Healthy ------- Discomfort -------- Ill Health -------- Illness

Anxiety & Performance

Mental Health & Cancer

• Direct Relationship Not Proven

• Indirect Links

• Effect on Course of Illness

Cancer & Mental Health

• Adjustment Disorder• Panic Disorder• Phobias• Obsessive- compulsive Disorder• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder• Generalised Anxiety Disorder• Anxiety Disorder caused by other Medical Conditions• Depression

What to do?Promoting Your Mental Health

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Get involved

www.mentalhealthireland.ie

What to do?Promoting Your Mental Health

• Look after your basic needs first: Eat & Sleep• Listen to your body & use your breathing• Have the courage to be imperfect & set realistic goals• Alcohol in moderation & responsibly

www.mentalhealthireland.ie www.psihq.iehttp://www.yourmentalhealth.ie/minding_your_mental_health

What to do?Promoting Your Mental Health

• Take time out for yourself, lose yourself• Sign up for that course, join that club, volunteer• Be active everyday in as many ways as you can• Spend time with people who make you feel good

www.mentalhealthireland.ie www.psihq.ie

http://www.yourmentalhealth.ie/minding_your_mental_health

What to do?Promoting Your Mental Health

• Laugh out loud each day• Share the work-load, get everyone involved• Try to be positive and focus on things you can

control• Think about how you think• Talk about your troubles and seek help early

www.mentalhealthireland.ie www.psihq.iehttp://www.yourmentalhealth.ie/minding_your_mental_health

What to do?Preventing Ill Health

• Watch Your Physical HealthDietHabitsExerciseLife Balance• Changing MindsetsMeditation

http://www.tm-ireland.org/Mindfullness

http://www.mindfulness.com/Reframing Thoughts

http://www.themindgym.com/

What to do?Recognising Illness

The experiencing of severe and distressing psychological symptoms to the extent that normal functioning is seriously impaired.

http://www.mentalhealthireland.ie/information

Recognising Depression

• Having a depressed mood for most of the day and on most days.

• Loss of pleasure and interest in most activities. • Changes in eating and sleeping habits. • Nervousness or sluggishness. • Tiredness. • Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt. • Poor concentration. • Constant thoughts of death or suicide.

What to do?Treating Illness

• Getting help • Medical Assessment

• Listening• Counselling

• Psychotherapy• Medication

• Recovery Approach

What to Do?Helping Others

• Listen.

• Facilitate Involvement.

• Encourage.

• Don’t Preach.

• Recognise Limits.

Take Away

• Be Proactive.

• Depression is not a given.

• If in doubt talk it out.

• Recovery is the aim.