Focus on Mental Health: Practical Ways to Support Mental Health and Wellbeing
Mental health is a core part of overall wellbeing, yet it is often misunderstood or overlooked until problems become significant. Understanding mental health and wellbeing, recognising common mental health issues and knowing what actions you can take can empower you to make meaningful changes.
What is a mental health issue?
A mental health issue refers to a disruption in thinking, mood or behaviour that affects daily functioning. This can include conditions such as depression, anxiety and stress-related disorders, as well as more complex conditions such as bipolar disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Mental health issues exist on a spectrum, from mild and temporary difficulties through to severe and persistent conditions. They can be influenced by a combination of biological, psychological and environmental factors.
Importantly, mental health is not simply the absence of mental illness. Good mental health and wellbeing also involve positive emotional wellbeing, resilience and the ability to cope with life’s challenges.
Types of mental health interventions
There are several evidence-based approaches that can be used to support mental health and wellbeing.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviours.
Schema Therapy: Addresses deep-rooted patterns that may have developed earlier in life and continue to influence thoughts, emotions and behaviour.
Positive Psychology: Emphasises strengths, meaning, purpose and wellbeing rather than focusing solely on treating illness.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing): Helps people process trauma and distressing memories.
Other approaches: These may include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), psychodynamic therapy and mindfulness-based interventions.
Physical health can also play an important role in mental health and wellbeing. Nutritional deficiencies, including low levels of omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, magnesium or iron, may contribute to or worsen symptoms of depression and anxiety. Identifying and addressing nutritional deficiencies can therefore form part of a broader approach to improving health outcomes.
Practical ways to improve mental health and wellbeing
One useful framework for improving wellbeing is the PERMA model, which focuses on five areas:
Positive Emotion: Cultivate gratitude, enjoyment and positive experiences.
Engagement: Spend time absorbed in meaningful and enjoyable activities.
Relationships: Build strong, supportive relationships. Aim to spend quality time with someone you enjoy being around at least once a week.
Meaning: Pursue a sense of purpose that extends beyond yourself.
Accomplishment: Set meaningful goals and work towards achieving them.
These areas can provide practical starting points for supporting your mental and emotional wellbeing.
How to respond to difficult situations
When facing a highly negative or stressful situation, consider four main options:
Move the risk away from you.
Remove yourself from the risk.
View the risk differently.
Become more resilient to the risk.
Not every difficult situation can be changed, but how you respond to it can often be influenced.
A useful question to ask yourself is:
“What is within my control right now?”
Focus your energy on what you can control and work towards letting go of what you cannot.
A helpful motto to remember is:
“I will do my best and let God do the rest.”
Lifestyle factors that support mental health
Lifestyle habits form an important foundation for both physical and mental health.
Regular exercise can support mood, brain function and overall wellbeing. Finding ways to move consistently throughout the week can make physical activity a sustainable part of your routine.
Nutrition also matters. A low-processed, lower-carbohydrate diet can support metabolic and mental health, while ensuring you are getting adequate vitamins, minerals, healthy fats and other essential nutrients.
Sleep is another critical component of mental health and wellbeing. Aim for around 7.5 hours of sleep each night, including a minimum of one hour of REM sleep and one hour of deep sleep.
Rather than trying to change everything at once, choose one of the actions above each week and focus on making it part of your routine.
Small, consistent actions can build stronger habits over time and help support better mental health and wellbeing.
Stay healthy and happy.
