It’s World Mental Health Day today with the focus this year being access to services; particularly in times of emergencies and catastrophes.
Unfortunately, our services are at breaking point without there being a catastrophe or mass emergency.
The infrastructure is overloaded and the referral system is taking way too long for people, especially teens, to access help.
What can you do about it?
The same as every aspect of our health. Take some responsibility for your own and your family, which is not easy and takes consistent work.
I think the first step is to realise that the internet and social media is very rarely true. We see the best versions of everybody, the versions they are willing to share publicly.
Perfect lives do not exist outside of Instagram, the happiest people I know, simply crack on and make the best of whatever situation they find themselves in.
Also, we’re not designed to be happy 100% of the time, we all have highs and lows throughout the day. We can also choose to switch that in an instant, simply thinking about Del Boy falling through the bar in “Only fools and horses” always brings a smile to my face.
We’ve watched the trailer for “Dumb and Dumber” nearly 20 times over the past few days as the kids are loving it; we’re watching the whole film tomorrow.
Being in and around water, gives me a sense of calm and peace.
Being on a mountain or in nature refreshes me.
Bizarrely, reading violent fiction helps calm my brain ready for sleep.
“Sandstorm” by Darude is a banger and flips the energy switch to max.
Build a list of things that help you switch your mindset and mood, up as well as down. If you’re up all the time, you get classed as delirious or delusional.
Make a playlist list of tracks that flip you instantly, you can do the same with reels etc now.
Find a hobby that takes motivation out of the equation, for me it’s martial arts, I don’t ever struggle to get out of the door to get to a class both teaching and training.
Darren “look after you” Checkley
