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Now More than Ever, Invest in Yourself |
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Written by Media Writer
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Friday, 01 May 2009 |
Our mental health is as important as our physical health. Good mental health affects your courage, optimism, hope, honesty, interpersonal skills, work ethic and perseverance. Professionals in the mental health field are working to shift the emphasis from a disease model to a health model. This means that instead of looking at how society’s negative aspects affect us, their aim is to investigate the positive qualities that help people flourish. Despite this, many in the general public fall prey to the stigmas attached to diagnosing and treating mental health issues.
In an attempt to change perceptions about mental health, the Canadian Mental Health Association promotes Mental Health Week, May 4th to 10th, to provide Canadians with many opportunities to find out more about the importance of mental health, and how to achieve it in our daily lives. This year’s theme is Now More than Ever, Invest in Yourself. In recent surveys conducted by Desjardins Financial Security, Canadians have consistently stated that their top cause of stress is finances. Today, many Canadians may be feeling this stress at heightened levels. The best way to manage stress is to invest in the things that matter most. Invest in your family (spend time together over a good meal, break out the board games or go on a picnic), friends (relax, hang out, share a laugh), community (volunteer or join community groups), workplace (cultivate supportive colleagues), and yourself (find something you enjoy and do more of it).
Today’s economic climate and levels of uncertainty can be daunting to even the most stalwart of people. Many stressors might be weighing down upon you. What do you do? Evaluate what is going on and seek assistance where you can. Are your finances the source of your stress? Seek the help of a financial planner or debt counsellor.
Feeling vulnerable in your job? Speak to a career counsellor and make a career plan. Are your relationships with loved ones strained? Speak to a counsellor to work it through. Do you fear that your stress is turning into depression, or that you might lose self control? Meet immediately with your doctor or a mental health specialist.
There are very good resources, both online and within our community, that can assist you or point you in the right direction for the help to best suit your situation. Check out Canadian Mental Health Association at www.cmha.ca, Alberta Health Services (and search for mental health services) at www.albertahealthservices.ca, contact the Consort Community Health Centre or call Family and Community Support Services at 403-577-3011. Invest in YOUR mental health.
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Quote of the Week
A wonderful thing about a book, in contrast to a computer screen, is that you can take it to bed with you. ~ Daniel J. Boorstin ~
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