Newsletter

Men's Health Week 2022

It's Men's Health Week from the 13-19 June. The focus is on Building Healthy Environments for Men and Boys. It is an important opportunity to highlight the importance of men's health, and to promote and support the health and wellbeing of men and boys in our communities. Find out more on the official website.

At AccessEAP, we often hear from men that they feel pressure to be seen as invulnerable, stoic, and fearless. This can lead to unrealistic expectations that as a man you should be able to cope no matter what, and "get on with it". Emotions become synonymous with weakness and powerlessness. Men may also dismiss their feelings as unimportant and worry about burdening other people with their concerns.

Men experience emotions just as much as women do, however, the pressure not to show emotion or vulnerability means that emotions will build-up and result in what appear to be random and unexpected behaviour. Reluctance to talk about or acknowledge emotion can manifest in all sorts of unhelpful ways including:

  • Excessive alcohol use
  • Addiction to gambling or betting
  • Ending relationships prematurely
  • Resigning suddenly from their job
  • Stopping activities of interest e.g. sports
  • Neglecting friends and family
  • Working longer hours
  • Communication only via emails or text messages
  • Aggression or violence
  • Excessive time watching fantasy films, or gaming

What can AccessEAP do to help?

We can provide a comfortable and private space to talk where there isn’t pressure to bottle things up. A person who is experienced in understanding human emotion and behaviour can listen without judgment and without consequence. We can even offer tips or strategies if that’s what is wanted or needed.

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Celebrate Difference

The creation of your workplace culture comes from all the everyday interactions between everyone who works at your organisation. From the way people say good morning when they arrive at work or join an online team meeting, to all-employee email communications, all these interactions help create your particular organisational culture. And placing the practice of diversity and inclusion as a central part of your people strategy helps shape these everyday interactions, encouraging a workplace where respect and trust are top of mind.

Diversity is who we are. It’s the mix of visible and invisible differences such as differences in gender, age, mental or physical ability, ethnicity, and values. Diversity is endless and can be compared with an iceberg: there are aspects that are very visible, such as gender, age, and skin colour; and other aspects that are under the surface, such as education and thinking style. Diversity in an organisation brings the differences in thought and perspectives that come with all different life experiences, backgrounds and demographics.

Inclusion is how we make people feel. Inclusion is helping people feel valued and free to be themselves, even if they look, think or behave differently from the majority. Diversity and inclusion go hand-in-hand. It’s been said that ‘diversity is being invited to the party, and inclusion is being asked to dance.’ One without the other leaves the process of creating a workplace where difference is embraced incomplete.

Did you know…

  • The most inclusive and diverse companies are 6x more likely to innovate[1]
  • Diverse teams are 87% more likely to make sound business decisions[2]
  • Companies with the most ethnically diverse leadership teams deliver 33% higher returns to investors[3]

Therefore, a culture where diversity and inclusion are regularly talked about, practised and advocated not only makes for a more equitable work environment, it also makes excellent business sense. Research shows we tend to prefer the familiar. Creating and supporting a diverse workplace is a conscious choice. Whatever your role, you can make a difference. Leading by example and encouraging others to do the same is vital – for example, you can aim to always respect and include others and encourage openness to hearing, discussing and debating differences of opinion. Importantly, it’s about noticing our own unconscious bias – the kneejerk assumptions and responses towards others who we perceive as different. It might then take conscious effort to consider the world from their standpoint, and to consider their ideas. This doesn’t mean you have to agree with everyone you meet – but it does mean you strive towards respectful dialogue. Inviting this dialogue, actively pursuing diversity and inclusion, benefits business, benefits those who may become marginalised, and benefits us as we see the world through different lenses.

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5 Health Pillars

There are many ways to exhale, and one particularly helpful one is cleaning out the unnecessary and outdated information in our brains. Like a spring clean in our house or car, a cleanout of the mind requires taking time and reflecting on all aspects of life to see where you are at right now. When looking at the five pillars of health (social, emotional, physical, financial, and spiritual), the exhale starts by reviewing all five aspects. Looking and rate each pillar from one to five (5 being the best); how well do you think you are doing the following?

When completing the rating, try to avoid comparison or judgment and just take some time to sit down and think. If you prefer pen and paper, use an exercise book to write down each pillar and its rating. Then list ideas of what may need to happen next with the above categories. Have a think about what is in balance in your life, what you are generally drawn to and what helps you heal – this may be a road map to assist you to see what you can do more of to get all five to a rating of 5.

Taking the time to reflect on how you process what is happening in the world and in your close environment (colleagues, family, and friends) is a big part of the exhale. Thinking about your approach to people and how you interact with them is a way to move after a big event. The reason being that those who are self-aware appear to have more empathy towards others; they are better listeners, can think more critically and report that their decision making improves. These all appear to be useful skills in a post-pandemic world.

If you are not sure where to start with your life audit, improving your wellbeing or would like some suggestions on how to self-reflect, start with our app, AccessMyEAP. Inside it has a wellbeing tracker that allows us to keep an eye on how we are carrying out our day-to-day wellbeing. Also, our friendly and supportive clinicians can also assist you with face to face, video or phone appointments focussing on self-reflection, growth or wellbeing. Contact AccessEAP on 1800 818 728.

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It's About Time - Time Management Tactics

We all know logically that time is a finite resource. Yet many of us live as if it can be stretched so that we can fit more and more into a 24-hour day.  Sometimes we sacrifice sleep so we can get more done. Or we live our life imaging we can fit more in than we actually can, so we spend a lot of time rushing to complete tasks that actually need more time or apologising when we miss a deadline.

When we don’t manage our time and energy well, life can feel out of control, and we are constantly chasing our own tail. On the other hand, when we do manage these resources well, we find we can better prioritise, have a better balance in life both at work and outside of it, and have more time to relax, unwind, and do things that are simply fun, adding to our enjoyment and wellbeing.

Time management is something we can learn and improve. It can be defined as “the decision-making process that structures, protects, and adjusts the way we spend our time.” There are three key skills to do this well.

  • Awareness: we think realistically about time by understanding that it is a limited resource.
    • This includes bringing self-awareness to how we prefer to schedule our time. Do we like to have thinking time first thing in the morning or later in the day? When do we prefer to do our regular admin tasks? It’s better to organise the day so it fits with the way we work most effectively. Being aware of time can help us act more autonomously, rather than simply reacting to others’ demands.
  • Arrangement: design and organise goals, plans, schedules and tasks to effectively use the time that is available.
    • The urgent-important matrix is a way to think about priorities. The horizontal axis goes from urgent on the left to not urgent on the right. The vertical axis runs from important at the top to not important at the bottom. Arrange tasks in this matrix to help decide how to organise your time. For example, anything that is urgent and important is prioritised. Anything that is not urgent and not important is put at the end of the to-do list, or perhaps let go.
  • Adaptation: monitor use of time while carrying out activities, including adjusting for interruptions and any changes in priority.
    • For example, try to reduce the errors made in estimating how long something will take; break down long-term challenging goals into smaller parts that are easier to achieve one at a time over shorter periods of time; create do-not-disturb time slots for concentrated effort.

Being more organised with time management takes discipline and effort – you may need to create new time-management habits. Also, note if there is any emotional pay-off from not organising yourself well. For example, If you leave things till the last minute, do you get an adrenaline rush when you make it over the finish-line just in time?  You might have to give this up if you want to be more time-organised.

Counselling support can help you to identify when stress and anxiety may be affecting your time management skills and how to move forward. Start now and benefit from this free and confidential service. Call AccessEAP on 1800 818 728. 

Seeking a good night’s sleep

How many of us can truthfully say that we regularly feel fully rested and refreshed after the last few years we’ve had? Many people often underestimate the importance of sleep to our overall mental health and wellbeing.

It’s important to have sufficient, regular, good quality sleep for our physical and mental health. Short periods of unsettled sleep can often be managed with well-researched tips however, longer periods may require a consult with your GP.

  

 Some Useful Tips

  • Short “nana naps” or “chill out times” during the day can help us to refresh our minds and bodies.
  • Aim to go to bed at a similar time each night.
  • Spend a quiet period immediately prior to turning in to help your body and mind settle.
  • A warm bath or shower before bed can help the body to relax and calm down.
  • Get to know your body and the effects of alcohol, spicy food and other stimulants too close to your bedtime.
  • It is preferable to keep your bedroom as distraction-free zones - no phones, TVs, iPads etc.
  • Darkening the room so your body automatically prepares itself for rest can be helpful.
  • If listening to music, keep the volume low and the type of music soothing, so you are likely to drift off.
  • If you regularly wake up during the night and have difficulty falling back to sleep, remember that it may help to get up, have some water or a decaffeinated tea, sit and quietly breathe, rather than lying in bed tense and frustrated that you are awake. Once you are feeling more soothed and settled return to bed.

It is worth formulating your own list of practical, healthy, accessible, common-sense ways to soothe your body and mind, so you can zero in on and practice what works for you.

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Harmony Week 2022

Harmony Week on the 21st-27th of March, celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. Harmony Day which falls on the 21st of March coincides with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

With around 45 per cent of Australians born overseas or with at least one parent who was, Harmony Week has always been a popular way for workplaces to showcase and acknowledge their cultural diversity. Celebrating Harmony Week can take any form you wish – big or small, simple or challenging. Events can be a simple multicultural morning tea or a guest speaker at an all staff meeting. It creates an opportunity to think, talk about and recognise how our differences and our similarities make our workplace stronger.

For more information see the Harmony Week Website.

One of our favourite ways to celebrate at AccessEAP is over food! Whether that means bringing in different cultural dishes or sharing recipes, it's always such a wonderful time to learn something new about your colleagues and of course try some amazing food!

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Returning to the workplace

As managers and leaders discuss and plan for a transition back to the workplace, many of us may be starting to think and experience a range of feelings at the thought of what this means. We also recognise the many people that have continued to go to the workplace over the last two years.  All our thoughts and feelings during these uncertain times are normal as we are all different, and there is no right or wrong way to feel. For those of us who may be feeling a little anxious or uncertain about returning to the workplace, here are some ideas to think about while you are preparing for the transition:

1.  Acknowledge your feelings and anxieties. Be kind to yourself and give yourself time to process your feelings. Do not judge yourself and tell yourself how you “should” be feeling.

2. Identify your concerns and think about what you can control and what is out of your control. Focus on what you can control, e.g. how will I manage being around more people? What can I do to keep safe? Plan and think about what will help you.

3. Take it day by day - you are not returning to “normal” there may not be a normal like it was. Recognising that things will be different is important. Try to go slow and avoid doing too much. Give yourself time to adjust, share stories and talk about how you are feeling. This is reassuring and helps with the awkwardness of the transition, which doesn't feel normal or comfortable yet.

4. Ask your manager for information, ask questions, share your concerns, connect with peers and share problem-solving. Others are probably feeling similarly, and there is comfort in sharing and problem solving together.

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Wellbeing Calendar - Q1 Positive Mental Health

Put yourself in control of your mental health and wellbeing with our monthly Wellbeing Tools. Each quarter you will have access to 3 tip sheets, a connection tool and a wellness spotlight.

This Quarter the wellness spotlight focuses on Mindfulness. Access meditation recordings via the AccessMyEAP App or Employee & Employer Login Areas, designed to help with Mindfulness for Wellbeing.

Our 2022 Wellbeing in Focus Calendar is available through the Employer Login Area of the AccessEAP website. The Wellbeing Tools will also be added to the Employee Login Area and AccessMyEAP App.

How to Adopt a Growth Mindset in 2022

With a New Year often comes a sense of new beginnings. Many of us start with resolutions for change, to turn over a new leaf, to bring fresh energy to our work and life.

This time of year is a good time to reflect on our mindset. Change is inevitable, but the way we approach it depends very much on our mindset. When we apply a growth mindset to change, we are more likely to discover a way to flourish.

As we continue to adapt and learn to live with COVID our mindset may be challenged, and we may push up against an inner “I can’t”. A growth mindset is framed around relying on and building on our strengths, taking one step at a time, and knowing that the viewpoint we take is always within our control. An “I can’t” may be an indicator that you’ve discovered one of your fixed mindsets. When that happens, it can be worthwhile to first take a step back and assess whether this is actually true; if you then see a possibility that “I can...”, ask yourself, what would be different if you saw this challenge as an indication you’re now learning something new, rather than simply a block that you can’t overcome? Then you might choose to take steps forward and lean into that challenge.

When learning about your different mindsets, the support of a counsellor or coach can be invaluable. You will have a person who listens attentively, without judgement. You will know that your conversation is completely confidential. And you will know that the person you are talking with has your best interests uppermost in their mind. It can be extraordinarily liberating to have conversations like this – when the other person has no agenda other than helping you to find the best possible outcome for you.

So as this work year gets underway, consider calling us and discovering how a counsellor or coach can support you as you work on those resolutions to make positive change in your life and to bring fresh energy to the people and projects that are important to you.

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Respectful Connection - a message from Sally Kirkright, CEO AccessEAP

We all want to belong, and our workplaces can offer a safe place to carry out meaningful work with people we trust. This sense of belonging has been challenged over the past couple of years with the steps to combat COVID of social distancing and lockdowns.  A sense of social isolation has been felt by many. And now lockdowns are ending, and with high vaccination rates, we are starting to see each other again, in real life.

As we start mixing once more, it’s important to keep in mind that lockdown has affected us all in different ways – everyone is different. For some, it has been incredibly hard, as they battled loneliness and isolation, or perhaps found it hard to juggle the demands of home-schooling, family and work expectations without the break of getting out of the house or going to the office. For others, they happily worked from home. As we reconnect, reaching out in a way that is appropriate to the person’s needs requires a good dose of empathy and listening.

Empathy and listening underpin all healthy workplace cultures and help create a psychologically safe workplace. Being aware and accepting the diversity of opinions, attitudes, and backgrounds helps us become more nuanced in the ways we reach out and interact with others.

I believe Inclusion and diversity in a workplace is vital for engagement. Just like in the natural environment, a monoculture of thinking and viewpoints is not healthy or sustainable. The following definition resonates with me: “the difference between diversity and inclusion is that diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance”. Diversity in the workplace refers to a workforce that’s made up of people from different ages, cultural backgrounds, geographies, physical abilities and disabilities, religions, genders, sexual orientations. And this diversity brings together people with differing perspectives and thinking styles, preferences and characteristics. Inclusion is the procedures organisations implement to allow differences to coexist in a mutually beneficial way so that employees feel accepted and comfortable, ready to share their opinions and thoughts.

I need my ideas to be challenged and my thinking to be tested by talking with others with differing viewpoints who look at the world in a way that is different from my own. It’s the way I keep my thinking fresh and creative and how I become a better leader. Diversity and inclusion in the workplace help this to happen. Walking the Talk is what makes people believe that an organisation is serious about inclusion. 

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2022 Wellbeing in Focus Calendar

The AccessEAP 2022 Wellbeing in Focus Calendar has launched!

The AccessEAP Wellbeing in Focus Calendar is a great way to plan monthly activity around the areas that may be of particular importance to your organisation while making sure you are aware of a wider range of topics. Our Annual Planner gives a great overview while the quarterly themes help you to deliver information in manageable parts, highlighting importance and focusing attention.

This year we will have expanded our offering with an additional quarterly Wellbeing Spotlight and Connection Tool.

Our 2022 Wellbeing in Focus Calendar is available through the Employer Login Area of the AccessEAP website. The Wellbeing Tools will also be added to the Employee Login Area and AccessMyEAP App.

 

Too busy to eat well?

There is a growing body of evidence to demonstrate that the food we eat affects our mental health. AccessEAP Nutrition Coaching gives you access to advice on how dietary changes can support wellbeing.

  • A little planning goes a long way when it comes to food and research tells us that the food we eat affects our mental health and impacts our overall wellbeing.
  • Weekly meal planning to avoid last-minute shopping when stressed and hungry.
  • Put a little excitement back into meal planning with inspirational recipe blogs.
  • Make your dollar go further with budget and time conscious menus from supermarkets.
  • Plan meals using the weekly specials catalogue to benefit from seasonal fruit and vegetable prices
  • Share the love (and the work!) – if your family or housemates are involved in the planning anyone can start the preparation.
  • Connect with family and friends with regular mealtimes.

Find out more about eating well and feeling good here.

Counselling support can help you set goals and identify when stress and anxiety are affecting your choices and impacting your health. Start now and benefit from this free and confidential service. Call AccessEAP on 1800 818 728 to book a session.

Eating well and feeling good

Eating well and feeling good about food

There is a growing body of evidence to demonstrate that the food we eat affects our mental health. For example, dietary changes have been successfully trialled in the treatment of clinical depression. The positive effects of good gut health also extend to improved mental performance, something to think about!

AccessEAP offers employees the opportunity to receive a consultation with a nutritionist for advice about dietary changes to better support wellbeing. One nutrition consultation is part of your EAP session entitlement.

The nutrition coaching service can assist with:

• understanding the impact of food choices on brain function and emotional health
• identifying impacts associated with food choices
• understanding desired health outcomes
• healthy eating tips to optimise wellbeing
• diets for health conditions.

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Self-care, if not now, when?

It’s easy to put off looking after yourself. There seem to be so many other priorities that keep getting in the way. However, taking some time to notice and act on how you are coping with added demands, could help in all areas of your life. Self-care becomes particularly important when you work in a job that requires a lot of emotional energy. Often the day to day nature of this work can leave you feeling that you have few resources to take care of yourself and little time for the people who are important in your life. It can be common to feel tired and lethargic by the end of the day or week. Sometimes switching off from work can be difficult. Jobs that typically require a lot of emotional energy are also often very rewarding and involve making a positive difference to individuals or communities, and there are ways you can make this work sustainable for you.

Signs that you really need to take care of yourself better may include:

  • Too little or too much empathy for others
  • Resentment toward responsibilities
  • Adopting a negative view of people in general.
  • Difficulty controlling your reactions to others.
  • Reduced job satisfaction.
  • Harmful behaviour to avoid or escape thinking about work. Could include drinking more alcohol than usual.
  • Distancing yourself from people, withdrawing from social situations where you need to talk to people.
  • Increase in complaints or conflict at work.

There are things you can do to take care of yourself to ensure that you are able to keep up the meaningful work that you’re doing now and into the future. 

5 Tips for Self Care
Here are some tips for creating and maintaining a self-care routine:

1. Find the Time
The day-day demands of life can become overwhelming and we may feel that we have little control over how we spend our time. Do an inventory of how you spend the hours of each day for one week. You may be surprised at how much spare time you actually have, focus on the things you choose to do and those which you must do. A good way to measure this is by the consequences of not doing them.

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Spend smart this festive season

Here are 6 tips to make sure you don’t blow your budget!

1. Actually, have a budget!
We rarely sit down and work out what our Christmas budget is. Make a list of everyone you need to purchase a gift for and then estimate your spend. Check this against your budget to make sure you can afford it.

2. Don’t charge to a credit card
Save for Christmas expenses by putting money in a Christmas savings account or buying a $10 gift card each week to spend on Christmas.

3. Secret Santa
Arrange a secret Santa present for family members to avoid having to purchase many smaller, less expensive presents. Giving gift cards means the receiver of the gift can get even more value at the post-Christmas sales.

4. Make thoughtful gifts yourself
Gifts such as photo collages or family calendars are so personal and make great keepsakes. You can create these in the comfort of your own home saving you time and money.

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Staying Calm & Connected, where to start?

As we approach the December period and prepare for the festivities, it’s easy to become distracted with long ‘to-do’ lists; calendars booked up with extra social events whether that be socially distanced or virtually; and perhaps finalising work in preparation for a well-earned break. These distractions can impact on our relationships with the people we care about most, so here are some tips for maintaining positive relationships during the festive season.

1. Take Time to be Present: During busy periods, it’s so easy to be on auto-pilot and not notice the passage of time. Stop yourself from just going through the motions by paying attention to the moment. Observe without judgement the sounds, smells, sights, and people around you.

2. Acknowledge Feelings First: When someone you care about is upset, you may find yourself offering them solutions only to have them become more upset. Consider whether, in trying to fix the problem, you’ve forgotten to first show you understand why it’s upsetting for them. Studies show that understanding another person’s emotions is key to maintaining effective relationships.

3. Give Compliments: You may be confident that the people you care about are fully aware of your positive feelings about them and there is no need to tell them. Don’t leave them guessing. Tell the important people in your life the things that you like or love about them, often.

4. Re-connect: Consider when was the last time you connected with someone important in your life that you don’t see often. Do you know what they did yesterday or what their plans are today? Take the time to call, send a message, or visit if you can, someone you have lost touch with.

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Men's Health, breaking the stigma - a message from Sally Kirkright, CEO AccessEAP

This is the month of Movember – named because men around Australia are encouraged to grow moustaches to draw awareness to and raise funds for men’s mental health, suicide prevention, as well as their physical health. Over the years Movember has become a leading charity helping to change the approach to men’s wellbeing. Their aim is to reduce the number of men dying prematurely by 25% by 2030.

Awareness around Men’s health needs improvement. In Australia, men under 75 are twice as likely as women to die from preventable causes (Falster & Jorm, 2017), and in 2019 men accounted for more than 75% of all suicide deaths (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2020). At AccessEAP we have over many years cultivated a culture of acceptance, openness and welcoming of vulnerability for all our staff, and, in this month of November, I am proud to see this reflected in the attitudes and interactions I observe in the men who work here. We are aware that there is much still to be done to encourage men in organisations we work with to reach out for assistance, especially mental health support.

How can you help the men you work or live with to focus on their wellbeing? Positive Psychology has some answers. You can encourage all staff to complete the free PERMAH survey. This will result in your people receiving a set of results that highlight their strengths. Research supports that working with our strengths, rather than focusing on improving weaknesses, can be a an effective way to improve wellbeing and effectiveness. And at an organisational level, we can help you work with the PERMAH results. Also effective is encouraging and having conversations around mental health and wellbeing, particularly men’s wellbeing during November. Leading by example, leaders who are more open about their feelings and who don’t need to always be seen to have the answers, or be right, are seen as authentic and encourages others to be more open.  

As I consider, our culture at AccessEAP, I see every day the benefits for all staff of bringing a strengths-based approach to work and life. I also see how a culture of inclusivity of diversity enriches our workplace in so many ways. It helps us all think more broadly, more creatively, and act more compassionately. It helps us challenge assumptions, include differences of opinion, and highlights our value proposition of “making a difference”.  

I am proud to be a part of this organisation and proud of the work we do to support your people to be the best they can be in life and work. For more information and tips to help men reach out in times of need, click here.

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Raise Awareness

We're here to help

Supporting your organisation to respond to
Domestic and Family Violence during the pandemic and moving forward

25th November is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women with White Ribbon Day being observed on Friday, 19th November.

At AccessEAP we strongly support these awareness days, particularly with the severity and frequency of domestic violence reported increasing as a result of the pandemic. Often the workplace is known to provide a safe place for victims of domestic and family violence. Working from home and other restrictions has increased isolation and the natural circuit breaker that leaving the home provides for both victim and perpetrator. Organisations have a vital role to play by raising awareness of this issue, understanding when and how to offer support, and addressing attitudes in the workplace, which perpetuate violence against women.

How we can support you

At AccessEAP, we are sensitive to the complexities of Domestic and Family Violence and encourage you to reach out for support especially at this difficult time given the unique pressures created by the pandemic.

 

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Be kind to your mind - a message from Sally Kirkright, CEO AccessEAP

World Mental Health Day is this October 10th, and the 2021 theme is “Look Up, Look Out & Look Forward"

This year, of course, we have had the stress of COVID and the uncertainty created by lockdowns as a background to all the usual ups and downs of living, along with reading and seeing the regular reports of world events. I certainly need time out for me in the midst of all of this so I can recharge my mental and physical batteries to remain an effective, empathetic leader and a support to my friends and family.

But how do we take time out when we feel so many demands on our time? There are little things we can do every day – and those little things can add up to feeling and being healthier and more resilient in mind and body.

Keeping a routine comes top of my list. Things like going to bed and getting up at around the same time every day helps establish good sleep. Making time for exercise, catching up with friends - FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, calls, texts (or face-to-face if possible) - and doing things that are just plain fun are important for all of us so we can move away from constantly doing and thinking about work or worrying about things we can’t change.

On the topic of having fun, putting together a feel-good toolkit is a great investment in feeding your wellbeing. When you’re in need, you can go to your feel-good toolkit for an emotional lift. It might contain a list of your favourite comforting music, a soft cushion to lie on, a chocolate treat, essential oils, an inspirational book, or a list of quotes. We can be creative about how we can help ourselves feel good. Along the same lines, we can look for the good. It’s important to counterbalance the heavy information with the hopeful. There’s still so much good and beauty in the world if we choose to pay attention to it. And try forgiving others and accepting yourself. I know it’s easier said than done. But acknowledging many people are on edge at the moment, for similar reasons that you may also be feeling on edge, can help us find the ability to move on when in the past we might have reacted. Similarly, acknowledging the stresses we are living with can help us find self-acceptance and self-forgiveness when we act in ways we later regret.

When checking in on those around us, there are certain signs to watch out for and things you can do if you notice a change, see our Mental Health Awareness Wellbeing Tool which explains this further. It's important that we look after and be kind to ourselves and others after such a long year.

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Mental Health Awareness - Wellbeing Tool

As a part of our Wellbeing in Focus Calendar Care theme, we released a Mental Health Awareness Tool that we think is even more important this World Mental Health Day.

Like our physical health, there are signs that we are not emotionally 100%, and we can observe those signs in friends and colleagues. When we feel some of the symptoms of poor mental health, the earlier we intervene, the better our recovery.

Download the below Wellbeing Tool for:

  • Signs to look out for
  • What to do when you notice these changes
  • & How to help others

indig_flags.jpg

AccessEAP acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the First Peoples of the lands we live and work on throughout Australia. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters, culture and community as we pay our respects to the Elders past, present and future. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples who connect with this website.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are advised that this website may contain images, voices and names of people who have since passed away.

indig_flags.jpg

AccessEAP acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the First Peoples of the lands we live and work on throughout Australia. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters, culture and community as we pay our respects to the Elders past, present and future. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples who connect with this website.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are advised that this website may contain images, voices and names of people who have since passed away.