Local Leaders | Headspace: Guard your mental health in the 'new normal'

Our young people in our community might be finding it hard trying to make sense of all we are faced with and are finding it very difficult to navigate through the daily changes and challenges.

We continue to be a community of resilience and I want to thank those who are reaching out to help others who are struggling. I love seeing the goodness and creativeness with people coming together to help each other. Now more than ever it's time to support one another with kindness.

Guarding your mental health is just as important as your physical health right now.

Social isolation is part of the new "normal" but that doesn't mean we are to hide inside our rooms or homes, shutting the windows and doors hoping this goes away soon. It's very easy to get caught up in the fear and the negative parts of what we are facing, but it is also a time for new possibilities and opportunities.

The positives about social media is that we have a lot of information available at our fingertips. Is there a new skill you've wanted to learn, an online course you've been wanting to take, is their someone you haven't talked to in a long time, the list goes on-and-on and the possibilities are endless!

One of the essential services that are continuing are organisations who provide Mental Health support. Most services have had to adjust by changing previous face-to-face supports to phone and video connections. There are vast amounts of information available on how to protect your mental health on social media.

Headspace offers the following additional tips:

Be mindful of exposure to information through stories, traditional and social media. It can be helpful to take a break from the 24-hour news cycle.

Do things that make you feel physically and emotionally safe, and be with those who are helpful to your wellbeing.

Engage in activities that promote a sense of calm and feeling grounded (use of alcohol and other drugs can be counterproductive with this).

Follow our seven tips for a healthy head space: get into life, learn skills for tough times, create connections, eat well, stay active, get enough sleep and cut back on alcohol and drugs.

It can help to talk with a trusted adult if it all feels a bit much.

We've been advised to stay at home where possible but staying at home doesn't mean we can't stay connected. It's important to stay in contact with loved ones during this time and we are fortunate we have so much technology at our fingertips enabling us to do so.

Self-isolating or social distancing? Remind yourself that this is only temporary.

Below is a list of some of the services available that you can reach out to or provide the information to someone you know who is struggling.

Now more than ever is a time to reach out to check on your family, friends and neighbours. Sadly, many people will not ask for help, but by you reaching out that might make a difference for someone.

It's okay to ask for help!