Stigma
Stigma appears to be decreasing but still exists. Given that the brain is the body’s control center, good mental health has endless benefits. Good mental health is more than just the absence of mental illness, it is the ability to function well and cope with challenges in a meaningful way.
Help seeking is influenced by positive attitudes of support people, including family, friends and coaches. When significant others’ encourage help seeking and model help seeking behaviours, an individual is more likely to see it as part of having a healthy life. Encouraging early help seeking behaviours can also facilitate ongoing help seeking as needed during different life stages and challenges.
As well as stigmatisation, other barriers to help seeking include: lack of accessibility and knowledge.
Did you know that GP’s are able to make referrals to psychologists which enables patients to claim a portion of the fee via medicare?
Also, many psychologist offer telehealth appointments making services more accessible to people living in rural areas.
Transition stages including: into HSC, new work positions, through changing relationships, into and away from elite sport and changing clubs or competition levels are associated with exposure to mental health risk factors.
If help seeking is an acceptable part of everyday life, then people are more likely to locate the support they need during these times.
Psychologists are not just for when people suffer significant mental health issues, or life challenges. Psychologists help people function to their potential in every day life. Everyone experiences challenges and obstacles and would benefit from reflecting on their coping strategies, resilience, emotional responses and connections.