The Facts

Compiled with the generous assistance of
the Mental Health Association N.S.W.

http://www.mentalhealth.asn.au/

At some stage in their lives, one in five Australians will experience a mental illness. Mental illness is a general term which refers to a group of different illnesses which vary from mild or temporary to more severe or prolonged. Now that the community is becoming more aware of mental illness, the opportunity exists to increase our knowledge and understanding and adopt more accepting attitudes.

What can be done about the stigma of mental illness?

• Bring mental illness into the open and think about it like any other illnesses or condition.
• Educate the community to overcome attitudes based on misconception.
• Promote mental health by nourishing healthy attitudes through early childhood and adult life and learn ways to deal with changes in relationships, situations and events.
• Encourage research into mental illnesses to assist understanding of how these illnesses affect people and how they can be prevented.
• Talk about mental illnesses openly with everyone you meet - it is surpising how many people are affected by mental illness, but have been too afraid of rejection to discuss it openly.
• Provide high-quality support and treatment services that enable people with a mental illness to participate fully in all aspects of community life.
• Address discrimination in every area of life; including employment, education and the provision of goods, services and facilities.

Good Mental Health

What is MENTAL HEALTH?

Good mental health is that state of coping, feeling good and being in control of life.  You probably know it well, but may not enjoy it often enough.  If you start to feel frayed round the edges, swamped with work and responsibilities, or emotionally flat and uninterested in the world around you, your mental health is suffering.

We are complex beings, with a variety of emotional, physical and spiritual capacities and needs.  Because of the pressures and stresses of life it is often difficult to maintain our balance by nurturing those capacities and needs.  As a result, we may neglect important parts of ourselves, sometimes our feelings, sometimes our bodies, sometimes our minds.

Looking after the whole person is a full time job and requires self-discipline and thought, opportunity for choice and an acceptable home and work environment. This can help us to grow in our emotional life and self-esteem, so that we are even better prepared for future challenges.

The quality of our mental health varies, depending on our experience and circumstances. Periods of emotional or financial stress can take their toll on mental health. 

If the tension gets too much for us to cope with, it can cause us to "break down" emotionally or mentally. At times, we may need to ask for help or support while we adjust.

With effective intervention and support most people who are managing a mental health disability are able to live productive and rewarding lives.

Disability and Discrimination Acts

NSW DISABILITY SERVICES ACT 1993

Commonwealth DISABILITY SERVICES ACT 1986

Commonwealth DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION ACT 1992