All About
Mental Health Issues

A person’s state of Mental Health is primarily a result of how the brain reacts to the different genetic, emotional, psychological and social stimulants it experiences. Good mental health should not be taken for granted but should instead be taken care of. To safeguard your mental health and look out for the mental health of the people around you, here’s what you need to know about mental health issues and mental health recovery.

The terms MENTAL HEALTH and MENTAL ILLNESS have different meanings for different people.

In Australia, the field of Mental Health is described as the area of health that focuses on the population’s psychological, emotional and behavioural well-being. In general, ‘mental health’ refers to a balanced state of mind, whilst ‘mental ill-health’ indicates that something is off-balance and off-centre which makes it difficult for a person to live a normal life.

MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, on the other hand, are the types of conditions or challenges that people experience.

At HelpingMinds®, it is our advocacy to provide free and confidential mental health support to anyone providing care and support to someone experiencing mental health challenges. To do this, you must first know what mental health issues are to enable you to observe the people around you and get them the help they need as early as possible.

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What you need to know about mental health issues…

A mental health issue is a health condition that significantly affects how a person feels, thinks, perceives, behaves and interacts with other people. It can include behavioural issues or problems processing thoughts that often cause significant distress or functional impairment.

A mental illness or disorder is classified as more severe than a mental health challenge or condition. Conditions of these kinds often affect a person longer and stronger, disabling them from living their everyday life and fulfilling their potential as members of society, especially when they live most of their life under an ‘episode’.

Regardless of the type or the degree of mental health condition or mental illness, both should be taken seriously and patients should immediately seek help from medical experts.

Mental Health is a very important facet of life that determines how individual functions and responds to others. Mental Health also considers how the brain affects the emotional, psychological, and social well-being of an individual.

Here are some of the most common mental health issues experienced by people all over the world, regardless of age or gender:

The importance of treatment & mental health recovery!

Health professionals conduct an evaluation and make a diagnosis for mental health issues based on a pattern of signs and symptoms combined with changes in how patients function every day. For this reason, a diagnosis of any mental health issue takes time and often, people have been mentally challenged for a while before the diagnosis is made. As such, is it important for family and friends of people experiencing signs and symptoms of mental health issues to bring the patient to see a GP as soon as possible so that the health professional can create a treatment plan for the patient and assist in the patient’s recovery.

Recovery is different for every person living with mental health challenges. For many, recovery starts through a multi-dimensional treatment that includes medical and psychosocial therapy – all while being supported by their family and friends. Recovery is a process, sometimes ongoing and lifelong, defined and led by the person with the illness, through which they can achieve a meaningful and contributing life in the community.

How to deal with mental health challenges…

There are many types of mental health issues of varying degrees and there’s no same effect on patients and their families. It can be very difficult for children to see their mum and dad experience mental health challenges, and it would be devastating for parents to see their son or daughter experience mental health issues at such a young age. Though the presence of mental health challenges in your life can be a very tough journey, the best way to deal with mental health issues is to take them face on by equipping yourself with the necessary information on how to manage your mental health as well as the mental health of the people around you.

To start with, seek advice and help from a medical professional. Once a treatment plan has been made, make sure to follow the regimen and go through with the succeeding follow-ups. Seek additional support from NDIS and get encouragement from HelpingMinds!

Are you supporting a family member or friend
experiencing mental health issues?

Are you taking care of a family member or a friend going through suspected or diagnosed mental health issues? Caring for your loved one with a mental health condition can be an overwhelming and isolating experience. It can be very painful to watch them be the way they are and leave you stressed and depressed.

Here is some more information to help you understand all about mental health issues, what your loved one is going through and how to help yourself as you care for them.

How to help your loved one

Often, we have a strong desire to ‘fix’ or ‘solve’ someone else’s problem, however, this is not your role and should be left to a professional. The best thing you can do is to help them find an appropriate service through a GP, mental health phone line, mental health service or by searching online. You can also help your loved ones by offering a listening ear and letting them know you are there for them when things get tough. You can also lessen their worries by giving affirmations and reassurances that can calm down their thoughts and emotions.

How to help yourself

Having someone close to you who lives with mental health challenges can be exhausting, frustrating, confusing and isolating. But you don’t have to go through it alone! HelpingMinds® offers free and confidential support to Carers or to people who are caring for someone living with mental health challenges. We offer free counselling, support groups, as well as rest and revive activities to help you take a breather and rejuvenate your mental health. We also conduct school holiday programs, family programs, and youth programs as part of our advocacy to promote mental health wellness to people living in WA.

All About Mental Health Issues