A Practical Guide to Navigating Life’s Ups and Downs
Taking care of your mental health is just as essential as looking after your physical health. Positive mental wellbeing is the foundation for living a meaningful, connected, and productive life. This guide is designed to help you better understand your mental health, explore the factors that influence it, and learn practical ways to protect and enhance it – benefiting both your personal and professional life.
Understanding Mental Health
Mental health is a state of wellbeing that helps you manage life’s challenges, realise your abilities, work productively, learn effectively, and contribute to your community. It supports our ability to make decisions, build and sustain healthy relationships, and engage positively with the world around us.
Your mental wellbeing influences how you think, feel, and act. It plays a role in your relationships, your work, and your studies. Just like your physical health, your mental health deserves consistent care and attention. When you feel emotionally strong, you’re better able to support your family, friends, and community, and fully engage in life.
How Many People Are Affected?
Mental health conditions are more common than many people realise, and they can affect anyone – regardless of age, background, or circumstances.
- One in six Australian workers live with a mental health condition
- Nearly half (42.9%) of people aged 16–85 have experienced a mental health condition at some point in their lives.
- About 21.5% of people experience a mental health condition within a given year, with anxiety being the most common.
These figures remind us that mental health conditions are a normal part of human experience, and you are never alone.
Why is Maintaining Good Mental Health important?
Maintaining good mental health is vital for many reasons. It helps you manage stress more effectively and supports your physical health by reducing risks of chronic illness. Positive mental wellbeing strengthens relationships by fostering empathy and communication, boosts productivity, and enables you to make meaningful contributions
to your community. It also enhances your confidence and self-worth, helping you feel more capable and resilient.
What Factors Can Impact your Mental Health?
Several factors can impact your mental wellbeing, including:
- Prolonged stress
- Physical health problems
- Negative self-talk and low self-esteem
- Poor diet or nutrition
- Feelings of loneliness or disconnection
Recognising these influences is a powerful step toward taking positive action.
How Can I Enhance my Mental Health and Wellbeing?
There are many simple, practical ways to look after your mental health:
- Stay active and exercise regularly
- Eat a balanced, nutritious diet
- Prioritise getting enough sleep
- Reduce or avoid alcohol and other drugs
- Talk openly with trusted friends and family
- Make time for hobbies or activities that bring you joy
Taking small, consistent steps to build these habits can have a profound impact on your overall wellbeing.
Signs of Positive Mental Health
Positive mental health is often reflected through:
- Improved learning and concentration
- Greater creativity
- Higher productivity
- Stronger social relationships
- Good physical and behavioural health
- Increased life expectancy
Investing in your mental health helps you flourish in all aspects of life.
Where to Find Help
If you, or someone else, is in immediate danger you should call the police on 000. For non-emergency police help, contact 131 444.
If you are experiencing crisis and need support, there are many free, confidential support services available:
- Lifeline is a free and confidential service staffed by trained telephone counsellors to assist people in crisis. Lifeline is open to people of all ages. Phone: 13 11 14
- TIACS is a free phone and text counselling service offering mental health support to Australia’s blue-collar community. Phone: 0488 846 988
- 1800RESPECT is available for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support people impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence. Phone: 1800 737 732
- Beyond Blue is available for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support people struggling with mental health. Phone: 1300 224 636
Reaching out is a sign of strength – you do not have to go through challenges alone.
References/Further Reading:
Australian Bureau of Statistics (2020 – 2022), National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/mental-health/national-study-mental-health-and-wellbeing/latest-release#key-statistics
BeyondBlue, What is Mental Health?: What is mental health? – Beyond Blue – Beyond Blue
Black Dog Institute, Workplace Mental Health: https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/research-areas/workplace/
TIACS, How it works: How It Works – TIACS
Lifeline Australia, Toolkit: Lifeline Support Toolkit
Indian Journal of Psychiatry, Concept of Mental Health and Mental Well-Being, its determinants and coping strategies: Concept of mental health and mental well-being, it’s determinants and coping strategies – PMC
World Health Organisation, Mental Health: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response
Australian Human Rights Commission, Seeking Support – Counselling and Support Services: https://humanrights.gov.au/sites/default/files/factsheet_-_seeking_support_-_counselling_and_support_services_0_0_0.pdf
PsychCentral, Why Good Mental Health is Important and How to Promote It: Why Good Mental Health Is Important and How to Promote It
