Why Mental Health?

In my time practicing as a clinical psychologist, I have found that looking after our minds is still an idea that can be profound and engaging to some yet entirely new or mysterious to others.

Like our physical bodies, our brains require exercise, stimulation, training and the right nutrients to keep it going and working for us.

In psychology, we are continuously exploring what this magnificent structure does, and how it works so that we can better that partnership between us and the brain.

Sure, many of us are still tied to the idea that mental health is about fixing the brain because something went wrong and it has to be "bad enough" to warrant attention.

There is another side to mental health that gives us hope and potential however.

The efforts to build and nurture our brains is what my mind thinks of as mental health and the study of psychology. And I would love for our views of mental health to expand further than problem-solving.

The Struggle

As we discover more, I've often sensed in clients a struggle in figuring out not only how the brain functions, but also what it needs and how to work with it. These are some of the more common statements we often hear from others (ourselves included):

"It's not working"

"I can't stop thinking"

"It's hard for me to fall asleep"

"I just feel out of control"

To understand how we think, feel, behave and respond, form opinions, have beliefs, live by values, we need go back to what we know about the mind.

The Whole Brain

The brain is right up there in importance with the heart, the lungs and all vital organs in our body.

I have found that taking the approach on how we can work with our brains to be effective in affecting other parts of our body and indeed many aspects of life.

These include how we socialise and interact with people, how we perform at work or study including learning style, physical health and performance, our ability to discern and be aware of how we affect interpersonal relationships around us, and also how we make sense of our self-identity, esteem, purpose amongst other things.

It's very complex being a human being in this modern world. The brain is carrying all of what we contemplate, wonder, consider, debate, execute and reevaluate 24/7 (even and especially when we're asleep).

Honouring the Brain

With all the heavy lifting the brain does, I hope it is able to make a strong case of all of us to give it the attention it deserves.

How we see the brain, study, get to know, nourish, train and honour it can make all the difference in our overall wellbeing.

Everyone can take a chance and learn about their minds and how to work best with it.

I cannot think of a better partnership than the one we can have with our respective brains.

Thinking mental health?

If you feel curious about finding out more about how you can work with your mind most compassionately and effectively, speaking to a qualified mental health professional could start you on the pathway of exploring the possibilities.

I look forward to sharing more with you.

See you soon,

Helen

To find out more about services, here's our main page or book a complimentary 15 minute obligation-free phone call with Helen.

"The greatest revolution in our generation is the discovery that human beings, by changing their inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives"

William James, philosopher and psychologist (1842-1910)

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