Prioritising our mental health beyond a month: when and how to seek support

Can self-help be enough? When should I see a professional? Why do I need a Mental Health Nurse?

Can self-help be enough?

Happy Mental Health Month! As we celebrate Mental Health Month, it is essential to remember and prioritise our mental well-being every day.

Self-help resources like the Tabvuma Mental Health ‘Free‘ and ‘Getting Started‘ mental health care packages that include self-assessments, mindfulness practices, journalling and reflective exercises, are fantastic tools to manage stress and maintain balance. These mental health care packages complement your mental wellness journey by helping you cultivate more self-awareness, and coping skills to use during challenging times and build emotional resilience.

These mental health packages are perfect for someone like Fadzi who has been feeling mildly stressed because of the increased workload at her job.  Rather than letting these feelings spiral, Fadzi subscribed to the Tabvuma Mental Health ‘Getting Started‘ mental health care package where she learnt to recognise triggers for her stress and how this stress manifests in her body. She begins using the self-help coping techniques she learned from the workbook. She starts checking in frequently with her body throughout the day which results in her releasing the body tension she experiences because of the stress. Because of the check-ins, she also knows when to take breaks and go on walks during her lunch breaks to clear her mind.

For Fadzi, these mental health care packages and resources are valuable and effective for her stage of life and helped her regain balance and well-being.

How do I Know if I need professional help?

One of the most common questions people ask is, “How do I know if I need professional help?” The answer varies from person to person but there are a few clear indicators. For some, self-help may not prove enough especially if:

• You have recently gone through a significant life change or trauma and are finding it hard to cope.
• Your self-care or coping strategies seem to not be working. For example, if your usual journalling, exercising or talking to loved ones may not be as helpful in reducing your stress.
• You are feeling constantly overwhelmed. This may look like your body feeling fatigued, sore or aching. This may also manifest in feelings of sadness, anxiety or irritability lasting for weeks or months without relief.
• You feel disconnected from people, places or spaces and communities. You may find yourself withdrawing or not finding pleasure in what you usually would. 
• You are unable to keep up with your daily routine or function like you usually do.

For example, Jeremiah usually copes with his stress by staying busy and talking to friends but he starts to feel anxiety that won’t shake off for the last 4weeks. He keeps trying to manage through self-care techniques but instead of feeling better, he keeps getting overwhelmed. He finds it challenging to sleep well, focus on his job and manage his relationships. Jeremiah realises his usual self-care is not working and it may be time to talk to a mental health professional to get targeted support, and guidance to navigate these challenges and regain control.

Who should I see? Understanding the different types of mental health professionals

When deciding to seek help, it is important to understand the differences between the various mental health professionals and what they offer. Below is a really quick breakdown of some mental health professionals:

Role	Description
Mental Health Nurse (MHN)	A specialist mental health nurse trained to provide holistic care focusing on both mental and physical health, can offer psychotherapy and medication support.
Mental Health Nurse Practitioner	A specialist nurse who focuses on both mental and physical health care. They diagnose and treat mental illness. They can offer psychotherapy.
Psychologist	Specialises in psychological assessments, psychotherapy and behavioural interventions but does not prescribe medication. Clinical psychologists can diagnose.
Psychiatrist	A medical doctor who specialises in mental health. They diagnose and treat mental illness usually through medications. They can offer psychotherapy.
Counsellor	Provides talk therapy and emotional support but typically does not diagnose or prescribe.

Why do I need a Mental Health Nurse?

All these mental health professionals play vital roles. Mental Health Nurses (MHN) offer a distinct and invaluable service that addresses both your physical and mental health needs. MHNs provide comprehensive care by:

• Assessing your whole-of-person health needs including mental, physical, social, cultural and economic health.
• Tailoring interventions to meet all your needs.
• Offering various forms of therapeutic support including talk therapies.
• Advocating on your behalf to ensure you receive the best possible care.
• Helping you manage your medications.
• Connecting you with other health care professionals.
• Collaborating with other healthcare professionals to coordinate care and track your progress.
• Providing long-term guidance throughout your recovery journey.

However, despite the critical role Mental Health Nurses play in patient safety and health outcomes, their ability to contribute fully is often restricted by insufficient Government policy recognition and limitations in the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). These barriers may limit your access to their services.

Takeaways

The blog this month delved into how self-care practices and self-help resources are great starting points and recognised that there comes a time when professional support may be necessary. In honouring the spirit of Ubuntu, our shared humanity, during Mental Health Month, here are two key takeaways.

1. Share your self-care tips and mental wellness messages

Mental Health Month reminds us of the Ubuntu spirit which focuses on our interconnectedness. We thrive when we move together rather than alone. Mental health is not just a personal journey, it is a collective one. To do so:

• Share your self-care tips and mental wellness messages with your loved ones
• Check in on each other.
• Seek support when needed.

2. Mental health for all: advocate and celebrate mental health nurses

Your voice matters and by advocating for greater recognition and support for Mental Health Nurses, you can help ensure that this vital care is available to all who need it. You can do this by:

• Show your solidarity by supporting and keeping up to date with the movement via the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses.
• Speaking to your local, state and federal MP and advocate for mental health nurses to be recognised under MBS and government policy.
• Reach out to Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and ask them to add mental health nursing endorsement on the register. Is a petition necessary? Perhaps, because the conversation around this has been ignored for too long.
• Find and support your local Mental Health Nurse either by thanking them or accessing their services.

Until next time,

Tabvuma Mental Health