Mental Health or Mental Illness? The pressing need for proactive psycho-education when it comes to mental health and wellbeing

Last month for R U OK Day I wrote about the need to be more proactive when it comes to our mental health, particularly when it comes to seeking professional psychological support. October is Mental Health Month so it’s also a great time to consider, or reconsider, our approach to mental health and wellbeing - individually and collectively.

I consider myself privileged to have been able to work in the field of mental health for over 20 years now. The early days of my career, in hindsight, were foundational for the work I do now. As a young, naive intern psychologist, I observed and treated (under the supervision of a psychiatrist and registered psychologist) the most extreme examples of mental illness. I was thrown in the deep end to say the very least! I consulted with clients, alongside a psychiatrist, who were suffering with acute and chronic schizophrenia, mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder, severe depressive disorders and delusional and other personality disorders – not to mention observing every type of anxiety disorder identified in DSM-5. I found this work to be the most challenging of my career however the most informing to this day. I feel so fortunate to have had those early experiences, as I believe I do now have a good understanding of what mental illness really is, and just how debilitating it can be to an individual and their family.

When the media and the community refer to mental health, you’ll find that they’re generally referring to mental illness. You’ll often hear the term “mental health disorder” or “mental health issues” rather than reference to “mental illness” per se. I believe that’s part of the long- term stigma that mental illness has had in our community - although thankfully I believe that’s changing. I do believe there’s still a lot to be done in regard to education on mental illness and mental health and wellbeing more broadly. Many people don’t understand the difference between a psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia, and a mood disorder, such as depression, and there are many nuances also that I don’t have capacity to cover today. This lack of understanding causes confusion, especially when journalists who also don’t know the difference report incidents to do with mental illness on the news. 

We need more psycho-education, despite the fabulous job that organisations like the Black Dog Institute (who I’m associated with), Beyond Blue and Lifeline do. I also realise that while I write today, the whole field is a moving feast. There is emerging research every day that changes my understanding and beliefs as a professional psychologist, which is why ongoing professional development is a requirement for a registered psychologist, not a nice to have. Another reason why we need to turn to professionals, particularly in times when there’s information overload, and we need someone to sort the wheat from the chaff. While I’ve definitely seen some positive changes over the past 20 years when it comes to us talking about mental illness and mental health, we have a long way to go when it comes to greater levels of psychological literacy and I believe we need more psycho-education now more than ever!

So this month, be curious, read, learn, reach out, be brave. Seek professional assistance if you believe you need it - even if you think you don’t but someone close to you has pleaded with you or nudged you to do so. Take note - it’s often those we love who see what we can’t see. It might be that crucial first step in your mental health and wellbeing journey.  For those that are “moderately mentally healthy” don’t be complacent, be proactive, learn the skills of wellbeing and resilience. Don’t wait for a curve ball to come to realise you’re not skilled (like many have during COVID-19), commit to learning and knowing more about mental health and wellbeing.  If you’re a parent, ask your child's school if they teach wellbeing and resilience skills? That could be an evidence-based social and emotional learning program or another form of “Positive Education”. Ask your workplace what’s their “Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy”? Workplaces need more comprehensive, strategic and sustainable mental health and wellbeing strategies - beyond EAP or the 3Fs – flu shots, fruit boxes and fitness? And remember in the big scheme of things, we’re not on the planet for a long time, so be proactive when it comes to your mental health this month and beyond, as life’s definitely too short to languish.

If you’d like to learn more about our proactive approach to mental health and wellbeing, join me next week for our virtual launch of POTENTIAL+, a proactive workplace wellbeing program – you can register here - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_E6w0BV6OR8GBGAjMOrXbBQ.