Strengthening our Mental Health

Mental Health affects everyone at some point. It’s in our children’s classrooms, on campuses, in our communities, families and at work. It’s in us and the people we care about. Even our pets get PTSD.

It is hard to understand the exact figures of those who suffer, as so many go unreported or undiagnosed but in 2017? 792 million people worldwide? were reported to have a mental health disorder. It’s certainly impacted around a third of the people I know and love, including a suicide. There are many shocking statistics regarding the little attention or money that is put behind this life-threatening condition.

One of the biggest positives is our ability to talk about it. The stigma is slowly going and it appears the people you would least expect to admit suffering, are talking about their struggles. Let’s look at how our strengths can also support us around mental health.

Self- insight. When did you last review your strengths or skills with a mental health lens? I too am very guilty of focusing too much on my goals or performance and not always considering what I need. I recently did an immensely helpful exercise where I drew 3 circles, one for work, one for relationships and one for me. You had to draw them the size that was relative to how much time you focus in that area. Try it. You might be surprised. Re-draw them with the lens of putting your mental health first. Looking after you, is looking after others.

Get rid of the guilt. If you don’t look after yourself mentally, you won’t be achieving much on your list. This means looking after your health, relationships, sleep and stress levels. What strengths or skills do you have that add to the guilt or lack of focus in these areas? Perhaps Work Ethic, Personal Responsibility, Pride, Adherence or Competitive? There will be more. Review your key strengths and bring in other realised or unrealised strengths to balance them. Look for Authenticity, Compassion (self!), Centred, Courage, Gratitude, Improver or Optimism when you need to change your story.

Personalise it. What works for one person will be radically different when it comes to supporting you. You might need a run, a chat, the smell of countryside or the sea, a 12-hour sleep, some good food or to chill with a book. Lean into your heart, not your head, and what you or your mind or body needs. Review your strengths families for that guide to your preferences. Perhaps you need to relate to others, do something motivating, organise something new to look forward to or simply sit and be.

Ditch perfectionism. It doesn’t exist. It will only make you feel inadequate so don’t try. What can help is accepting that we use perfection to control our fears and anxiety. Often fear is uncertainty. Understand what is in your control and use your strengths to make these more of a direction and focus for you. It is progress that makes people happy not perfection so tap into those energising strengths for a mindset boost.

Watch your language. Don’t make things worse than they are. Talk to a friend about a problem and use optimistic or even realistic language. Problems may not be permanent or affect everything. Dig out those problem solving strengths and work together with others to find solutions that mean you are taking one small step forward.

Help out. They say there is no greater gift than giving. It makes us happier with a release of serotonin and dopamine. It also makes us feel grateful for what we have in our lives today. It builds and strengthens communities and can be a great role modelling gesture. Play to your strengths when supporting, volunteering or getting involved. I’ve been fostering dogs for the past year and my life is chaotic as a result. It means there is no room for perfectionism either and I have had to give up things that weren’t important. I’ve never laughed harder, cried so often (when they leave), or felt so much reward. That goes for my family too.

Thank you for being on this journey with your own mental health and to support others with theirs.