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Tips for Mental Wellbeing and Resilience

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0800

The latest ABS National Mental Health and Wellbeing Survey (2008) shows that one in five people will experience a mental illness at some point in their lives. In Australia, the most common of disorders are anxiety (which affects 1 in 7 adults), followed by affective disorders, such as depression (which affects 6.2%) and substance-use disorders (5.1% of the population) (ABS, 2008).

Being mentally healthy is not about the absence of mental illness - it is the ability to cope with the stresses of life, maintain healthy relationships and contribute to the community.

While most of us understand the importance of keeping physically healthy, few of us apply the same level of engagement and action to our emotional, social wellbeing.

To achieve and maintain overall balance, it is important to strive for both physical and mental wellness. In a similar way to keeping the body physically fit and healthy, there are some impactful behaviours that you can regularly adopt to maintain good mental health.

Following are a few simple ways to practise mental fitness. In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Week, we encourage you to apply even just one of these tips into your routine for the month.

1. Keep socially active

Interaction with other people is vital to human development. Social relationships and networks can act as protective factors against the onset or recurrence of mental illness. Keep in regular contact with family, friends and colleagues.

2. Keep physically active

Even a small amount of regular physical activity improves wellbeing. Joining an exercise group, sport club or gym can also help build social networks, as it connects you with a new set of people with similar interests.

3. Discover and engage in your hobbies and interests

Taking up a hobby can bring balance to your life by allowing you to do something you simply enjoy, free of the pressure of everyday tasks. Hobbies and other interests also keep your brain active. If you are struggling to find a hobby, consider volunteering, which can also connect you to the community.

4. Treat yourself well

Do something just for yourself: be it cooking yourself a good meal, having a bubble bath, going to the movies, or enjoying the sunshine whilst sitting on a park bench.

5. Share humour

Life is often too serious, so when you hear or see something that makes you smile or laugh, share it with someone. A little humour can go a long way to keeping us mentally fit.

6. Collect positive emotional moments

Make it a point to recall times when you have experienced pleasure, comfort, tenderness, confidence, or other positive emotions.

7. Learn ways to cope with negative thoughts

Negative thoughts can be insistent and loud. Rather than blocking them, learn to interrupt your thoughts so that the negativity does not take over. Try distracting or comforting yourself, if you cannot solve the problem right away.

8. Do one thing at a time

Try to be in the moment with all that you engage in. Take in the sights, sounds and the smells that you encounter. For example, when you are out for a walk or spending time with friends, turn off your cell phone and stop making mental ‘to do’ lists.

9. Practise mindfulness

Several definitions of mindfulness have been used in modern psychology. Mindfulness involves being present and bringing increasing awareness to the moments of our lives - paying attention to, and having present-centered awareness in each thought, feeling or sensation that arises, by not judging but instead accepting it for what it is.

10. Engage your imagination

It’s in abundance, it’s free and it’s right at your disposal. Whether it’s a beach, a mountaintop, a hushed forest or a favourite room or moment from the past, let the comforting environment wrap you in a sensation of peace and tranquility.

If you need to talk to someone or discuss how you are feeling, you can contact PRIMEXL on 9492 8900 or FREECALL 1800 674 188 today to arrange a confidential counseling session. Alternatively, you can request a booking online.

Solution Focused Brief Therapy

Wed, 04 May 2011 00:00:00 +0800

Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) provides a powerful intervention framework that works to resolve a wide range of problems within a short period of time.

It is highly respectful and acts to empower clients to rediscover their unique strengths and resources and put these to work on the challenges they face.

SFBT has been used with tremendous success with clients presenting with a wide range of issues such as depression and anxiety, family and relationship issues, drug and alcohol misuse, injury management, grief and loss to name but a few. The approach has been proven by extensive research to work well in any situation where a better future is sought.

During this workshop participants will understand:

The history and evolution of SFBT
Basic theoretical concepts that underpin SFBT
Basic techniques and strategies used in the practice of SFBT
When SFBT is an appropriate intervention
The limitations of SFBT
A basic application of the SFBT approach
To integrate the approach into their own work practices

It is anticipated that participants will be able to develop a level of skill in the application of the SFBT approach to integrate into their work environment immediately following the training. They will also be assisted to adapt the approach to their particular work setting and clientele.

For more information or to register your interest, please contact PRIMEXL on 9492 8900 or email training@primexl.com.au

Solution Focused Brief Therapy - Advanced

Wed, 04 May 2011 00:00:00 +0800

In response to mounting demand, PRIMEXL is introducing an Advanced Solution Focused Brief Therapy workshop to address the needs of practitioners who already have a working understanding of Solution Focused Brief Therapy to take the next step up.

Presented in a highly practical and experiential format, this workshop provides participants with ample opportunity to review and discuss applications of this highly successful model to their work situations.

For more information or to register your interest, please contact PRIMEXL on 9492 8900 or email training@primexl.com.au

Help is Close at Hand

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0800

Help is Close at Hand- PRIMEXL helps manage work life balance, relocation and FIFO relationship issues

We all are faced with challenging times as we go about our daily lives – managing teenagers, marital and relationship issues, death of a loved one or dealing with the symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Many people shy away from help, but counselling can help with a range of personal or relationship ‘issues’, regardless of how simple or complex they may seem. Seeking counselling early can often prevent relatively minor concerns from developing into major or more complex problems.

Looking after our mental health is crucial to maintaining a balanced and fulfilling life. We can often neglect this important aspect of our lives because we are too busy or simply don’t acknowledge some of the symptoms we may be experiencing such as not being able to sleep, being short tempered with others, withdrawal from social contact, inability to focus for any length of time, lack of energy, reduced ability to cope with issues on a daily basis and not listening to our family or friends when they point out we may have a problem.

“By learning to listen to our inner voice and acknowledging that we may have a problem, early intervention with a counselor can often limit and prevent any unnecessary suffering, facilitating a swifter return to leading more fulfilling and functioning lives”, says Tracey Hancock, PRIMEXL's Operations Manager of Psychological Services.

PRIMEXL has been providing assistance to the Western Australian community for over 23 years. PRIMEXL operates from a range of locations across Australia and all counseling provided is strictly confidential with highly qualified and experienced psychologists.

Some common reasons for accessing PRIMEXL EAP counseling service include:

Work Life Balance

Juggling priorities, family and work demands conflicting for your time? Feeling stressed and unable to cope? PRIMEXL’s counseling service provides a positive and sensitive way to assist individuals learn how to deal with these issues and bring back a more centered and balanced approach to their lives.

Relocation

Relocating to a new job can often be a stressful time when you are settling into a new community, away from family and friends. If you are feeling isolated and alone and not fitting in with life away from home, counseling can often assist you to clarify your needs, build resilience and develop skills to manage your day to day life.

FIFO Relationship Support

The nature of FIFO work can make it difficult for the family unit to function at times and create undue stress on workers and their families. PRIMEXL has experience working FIFO workers and has achieved successful outcomes in counseling families and couples on ways to manage and function effectively within the FIFO environment.

PRIMEXL has also developed a unique FIFO support programme where couples can come together and develop strategies of how to get the most out of their time together and explore ways to cope with the time spent apart.

How to Access Help

To arrange a confidential counselling session contact PRIMEXL on 9492 8900 or FREECALL 1800 674 188. Alternatively, you can request a booking online.

Medicare Rebate

Individuals who access our private counseling services may also be eligible for a rebate either through Medicare or their private health insurance policy. Ask us for more information on 9492 8900 or FREECALL 1800 674 188.

Coaching Skills for Managers

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0800

Supporting ongoing learning and growth in an organisation is a prerequisite for business success.

The coaching approach is now widely recognised as one of the most effective ways to develop your people. Research shows that coaching can significantly improve productivity, relationships and job satisfaction.

Coaching Skills for Managers is a two (2) day workshop designed to help you develop and hone the skills you require to develop your people successfully. It provides you with systematic, commonsense approach that promotes:

Self awareness
Self responsibility
Greater ownership
Greater initiative & creativity

Coaching Skills for Managers can be tailored to suit your organisation. Depending on the level of skills required, the workshop component can be run over one (1) or two (2) days.

Learning is supported by personal coaching sessions to integrate the workshop learning, as well as a range of
on-line resources.

“The coaching approach I’ve now learnt is brilliant. I’ve gone from facing a daunting process to now being comfortable. I’m looking forward to starting.” - Participant, 2011

For more information or to register your interest, please contact PRIMEXL on 9492 8900 or email training@primexl.com.au

Emotional Intelligence

Wed, 04 May 2011 00:00:00 +0800

Leading with Emotional Intelligence

Increasing evidence suggests that a person's level of emotional intelligence (EQ) is more important in determining life success than the better-known IQ. 'Emotional Intelligence helps to predict success because it reflects how a person applies knowledge to the immediate situation', Dr Reuven - Bar-On.

Emotional Intelligence is directly linked to leadership success, workforce morale and therefore an organisation's bottom line.

This powerful two (2) day workshop will advance your understanding of workplace relationships. By deepening your level of self awareness, enhancing your capacity for self management, social awareness and social management, you will learn to consistently apply the four pillars of emotional intelligence.

We guarantee that putting EI to work will transform your interpersonal effectiveness in every aspect of your life.

For more information or to register your interest, please contact PRIMEXL on 9492 8900 or email training@primexl.com.au