Students around Australia right now are celebrating the end of term 3 and for most students this will be a time of rest and relaxation, even with the challenges being in lockdown. Year 11 and 12 students however might not be feeling the same way. This is a tricky time for students at the end of their secondary school education as this is the time when exams are imminent, and energy and motivation levels are often at their lowest. Feeling fatigued and struggling with motivation is a normal and predictable component of the ‘marathon’ of VCE studying. It is worth thinking about how to recognise fatigue and burnout, and to have a plan in place to help you bounce back. If you are currently studying or know someone who is, these tips might be of use.
What happens after R U Ok Day?
With R U OK Day and World Suicide Prevention day just gone, we need to keep in mind that we need to keep the message going. Checking in with each other is something that needs to happen consistently, not just on awareness days. So how do we check in with the people we care about and open up the communication channels with people who may be having a hard time?
This year the message of the campaign was: Are they really OK? Ask them today.
Checking in is perhaps more important now than ever before. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and extended lockdowns, many of us are feeling lonely, isolated, down, anxious, and stressed. While taking good care of ourselves is vitally important, we also need to feel equipped to support those around us who might be struggling. It is important to note that somebody doesn’t have to be visibly distressed or in a crisis to need support. Asking someone how they are really going can be, simply put, life changing.
R U OK? breaks down the conversation into 4 simple steps for asking someone if they are OK:
Give it a try today and don’t forget to keep this message going! You may be surprised how much somebody might appreciate just being asked the question sincerely and openly and then being listened to and heard, We don’t need to solve the problem we just need to hear each other out.
For more tips and resources, you can check out their website at ruok.org.au
If you need support with your mental health and would like to take action please contact our administration team on (03) 9882 8874 or visit our website at melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au.
This blog was written and prepared by Ms Hannah Gersh - Psychologist here at MWG.
Image credit: www.ruok.org.au
How to get the Most out of your Telehealth Session
When we first entered a period of lockdown in early 2020 and health services transitioned to using telehealth services, I think most of us imagined that telehealth was a temporary measure, necessary because of the extraordinary circumstances at the time. But now, 18 months on telehealth has become one of the main ways that many of us are still accessing our health care. For us in Melbourne, this has a lot to do with the extended periods of lockdown we have been experiencing. But even when we’re not having to socially distance ourselves, telehealth can sometimes be the provider’s and client’s preferred choice for an appointment; telehealth can mean you don’t have to take time off work, arrange childcare, miss long periods of school and you can see a specialist who is based a long way from home with ease. Even if you’re only having the occasional appointment via telehealth, it might be worth spending some time reviewing your setup to make sure that you’re getting the most out of your appointment. Here are our tips for getting the most out of your telehealth session.
Social Media Use for Mental Health
Currently, almost all of us are on social media, and this is likely particularly true during lockdowns while we are home and away from loved ones and opportunities for in person connection. While social media can be a source of fun, information, and inspiration it can also have a significant impact on our wellbeing.
How to Bring a Little Mindfulness into Your Day
In our increasingly busy daily lives we can often struggle to set aside the time to practice being in the here and now, or in what we call Mindfulness. We often do things on autopilot or spend our time multitasking. For example, how often do you flick through your phone while you are watching TV? Do you ever get to work and don’t remember the drive in because you were swept away in your thoughts? Do you walk your family pet whilst on the phone to someone from work?
What to do when life feels overwhelming
Sometimes life can feel like a crisis. A crisis can present in many different forms. It can present itself in the form of the death of a loved one, to losing a job, to losing a relationship, losing a friendship, losing money, or even just feeling like you’ve failed at something. When we are hit by a crisis, we can be hit by emotions so strongly, that sometimes we go numb. Our mind and body protect us from the emotional storm that is raging within. Sometimes, we’re not numb to this, we feel every bit of it, and it feels so strong that we feel like we need to lash out and hurt others, or we run away and hide. When this is happening we need to ask ourselves how a reaction is going to help us. Often a reaction, by either avoiding, hurting ourselves, or hurting others makes us feel guilty and ashamed, which does not help the situation. So when life gets overwhelming, what do we do? The following may help.…