5 Ways to Build Resilience During Australia's Mental Health Crisis

According to Professor Samuel Harvey, who is the Executive Director at the Black Dog Institute, 'Australia's current mental health care system is broken and in need of urgent reform'.  

Whilst there has been significant government funding annually for several years, this appears to have only been able to provide band-aid solutions. 

Most experts agree that there is currently a chronic shortage of qualified and experienced psychiatrists in Australia, most of whom are distributed unevenly across the country.  

Moreover, the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care grimly suggests that almost one in every two adults Down Under will experience mental ill-health at some point in their lives. 

With the rising cost of living, housing instability, and increased societal pressures, many individuals and families are feeling the strain. To the point that increasing numbers of people are seeking help for anxiety, depression, and stress-related conditions. So, it's clear that much work needs to be done. 

While authorities are, no doubt, trying to improve the range of mental health services available, there are some things you can do on a personal level to build resilience in the meantime. 

Outlined below are several ways you can strengthen your mental health and better cope with life's difficulties. Hopefully they will help you to maintain better peace of mind. 

1. Seek Professional Help 

If you are currently experiencing mental ill-health, it is important to recognise that, contrary to what some people say, there IS help available. 

Throughout Australia, there are hundreds of mental health professionals who do sterling work in assisting people to cope with their struggles. 

Between them, therapists, counsellors and a host of other specialists and experts can provide you with tools, strategies, and emotional support that can help you overcome your demons. 

For instance, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can be a highly effective way of changing the negative thought patterns that contribute to depression and anxiety. However, you will need to seek authoritative advice to ascertain if this is appropriate for you. 

Overall, asking for help is the best thing you can do, and there is NO shame in requesting it. If you are unsure of where to start, make an appointment with your GP initially. 

Alternatively, contact Lifeline, Beyond Blue or the Black Dog Institute, who may be able to advise of appropriate mental health resources and helplines. 

2. Reach out to Disability Home Care Services 

If you are living with a disability or caring for someone who is, it can take a real toll on you mentally. 

Again, it is important to realise you do not have to do it alone as there are several providers who offer disability home care in Sydney like United for Care, Melbourne, Brisbane and all over Australia. 

These services can provide you with in-home assistance for a range of activities, including personal care and grooming, meal preparation, household cleaning and maintenance, and transportation. 

The principal benefits of them are that they can provide caregivers with some respite and reduce the burden of the daily challenges people living with disabilities face. 

3. Build a Solid Support Network 

No matter how self-reliant and sufficient we might want to be, we all need people we can rely on for help when life throws up a curveball. For this reason, it is very important to build a solid support network of friends, family, or community members who we can call upon when the going gets tough. 

Surrounding yourself with people who offer emotional and practical support can make a huge difference to your mental health, as it can introduce more positivity into your life.  

The best way to do this is to join local community or church groups, sports or social clubs, and online communities. Not only will this help you build up meaningful connections, but it will also fill up your free time with social activities or engagements that prevent you from being alone with negative thoughts. 

4. Limit Negative Thoughts 

Talking of negative thoughts, a terrific way to build up resilience is to try and limit them as much as possible. 

Often, watching the news and scrolling through social media can expose us to stimuli that can trigger a gloomy, pessimistic or defeatist mindset. Therefore, while you might want to stay informed of world events, taking regular breaks from news cycles and social media platforms can reduce your likelihood of experiencing heightened feelings of fear and anxiety. 

Instead, use the time you would devote to these activities to practise mindfulness and meditation. These acts have been proven to reduce anxiety, improve your focus, and enhance your levels of emotional regulation.  

Even taking just 10 minutes a day to sit in silence, breathe deeply, and become aware of your thoughts and emotions can make a world of difference. To kickstart you, apps like Headspace or Calm can provide you with a range of guided meditations.

5. Prioritise Self-Care 

Life can get very busy, especially if we juggle multiple responsibilities that relate to parenthood or being a partner, caregiver, friend or employee. 

However, to prevent the pressures of having to conduct these roles from building up to a crescendo, it is important to take the time out to practise self-care. 

By doing this, you will be able to regularly nourish your mind and body to ensure you stay in top condition to handle whatever life throws at you. 

Therefore, make a point of exercising, socialising with friends, visiting a beautiful coffee shop or simply just enjoying a long, uninterrupted soak in a bubble bath to reduce your levels of stress and enhance your overall well-being.