A new campaign is encouraging Queenslanders to strengthen their mental wellbeing by creating a healthier relationship with their minds.
Queensland Health Director General Dr John Wakefield said having good mental health and wellbeing was just as important as having good physical health.
“Your mental wellbeing is how you handle emotions, respond to stress and your general outlook on life. And there are simple things you can do each day to improve your mental health and wellbeing,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter where you live or how you are feeling – taking a few moments each day to focus on certain types of activities can improve your mental wellbeing and increase your resilience.”
One in two Queenslanders aged 16 to 85 years may experience mental illness at some time in their life and about one in five will experience mental illness, including substance use disorders, in any one year.
Queensland Mental Health Commissioner Ivan Frkovic said all Queenslanders could take steps to protect and improve their mental wellbeing.
“Wellbeing matters to everybody and every mind,” he said.
“As well as helping to prevent mental health issues developing, being mentally healthy builds resilience and makes it easier to deal with life’s inevitable challenges.
“People who are mentally healthy demonstrate greater degrees of everyday functioning, healthy behaviours and perceived good health,” Mr Frkovic said.
“Making time each day to focus on the building blocks of mental wellbeing will help build healthy habits to keep you feeling good and doing well, boosting quality of life.”
The six building blocks of mental wellbeing are:
- Get healthy: Be active, eat well and get enough sleep.
- Keep learning: Challenge your mind and seek out new things.
- Show kindness: Giving brings joy to other people and strengthens your own mental wellbeing.
- Connect more: Develop relationships, stay connected and care for each other.
- Take Notice: Be mindful. Stay in the moment. Experience the world around you.
- Embrace nature: Step outside and connect with the natural world.
“The resilience that comes from good mental health and wellbeing also supports safer and healthier families, schools, workplaces and communities; higher educational achievement; and improved relationships and personal dignity,” Mr Frkovic said.
Dr Wakefield said the Queensland Health campaign focused on a collection of easy, everyday mental wellbeing activities for every Queenslander.
“Visit www.qld.gov.au/mentalwellbeing to find out how taking a few small actions, practised every day, can lead to a happier you.”
Mr Frkovic said anybody could struggle with their mental health at any time.
“That’s part of being human, and it’s important to seek support,” he said.
“There’s a range of services and organisations that can help, including your GP.”
- For mental health support 24/7, phone 1300 MH CALL (1300 64 2255).
- Lifeline on 13 11 14.
- Kids Help Line 1800 551 800.
- Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36.7
“Anyone requiring emergency assistance should call Triple Zero (000) immediately,” Mr Frkovic said.
