Mental wellbeing
Everybody has ‘mental health’ – just like we have ‘physical health’. You can do things to keep yourself healthy, both mentally and physically.
Good mental health and a positive frame of mind often means you are better equipped to resist stress and tackle challenges.
Maintaining good mental health can enable you to:
- feel good about yourself and your life
- be able to respond constructively to stress in your life
- be able to cope with things that come up in your life
- improve self-esteem and confidence.
What you can do:
- Learn new ways to cope with problems in everyday life.
- Talk about your feelings and problems.
- Eat a well-balanced diet.
- Participate in regular exercise.
- Develop personal skills that help you deal with people and other situations (e.g. problem-solving, assertiveness).
- Find things to do that you enjoy.
- Ask for help if you think you need professional support.
- Drink sensibly.
Be active for your mental health
Participating in regular physical activity is good for your mental health. It can:
- reduce anxiety
- positively affect moods such as tension, fatigue and anger
- enhance self-esteem
- provide opportunities for social activity and interaction.
See also:
At Ease mental health website
Towards better mental health for the veteran community
At Ease website
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) has a website dedicated to maximising mental health. Targeting veterans, their partners, carers, sons and daughters, and current serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) members, the At Ease website www.at-ease.dva.gov.au enables the user to find:
- information on common mental health conditions, as well as information that takes into account the uniqueness of the veteran experience
- services that are available to help cope with a mental illness
- DVA mental health news and event information
- links to other mental health resources.
Visit www.at-ease.dva.gov.au to find out more.
Wellbeing Toolbox
Confidential online mental health support is now available to ex-service men and women, their families and friends through the online self-care resource - the Wellbeing Toolbox.
The Wellbeing Toolbox aims to facilitate early intervention for those who may not be travelling too well by providing interactive educational material in key areas such as problem solving, building support, helpful thinking, getting active, keeping calm and sleeping better.
The Wellbeing Toolbox is open to all ex-service personnel and their friends and family and can also be accessed or through the Touchbase or At Ease websites.
See also:
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