A Growing Mental Health Issue
The past 3-4 years have been some of the worst since the end of WWII and not surprisingly, mental health issues are rising exponentially; the pandemic saw many people lose their jobs and that resulted in many suffering from stress and anxiety. An economic depression followed while rising inflation made it harder for people to manage their finances.
Mental health counseling
Organizations such as Connecting Mental Health exist to connect healthcare professionals with those who are in need of counseling, and they offer a wide range of therapies, such as;
- Cognitive Analytical Therapy – Known as CAT, this therapy focuses on building trust, identifying problems, underlying causes, coping mechanisms and empowering ongoing progress.
- Acceptance Commitment Therapy – Known as ACT, this is an action-oriented psychotherapy that combines behavioral therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy to embrace emotions and make positive changes for a better life.
- Internal Family Systems – This fosters internal awareness, helping us to focus on inner feelings.
- Gestalt Therapy – Famous therapy that focuses on the present to help you understand your emotions and experiences without relying on the past.
- Art Therapy – A therapy that explores numerous forms of art to explore emotions and psychology.
- Relationship counseling – Relationships can be very difficult to keep on an even keel, and a certified counselor can help both parties to strengthen the core values of the relationship. Honesty is critical with relationship counseling; often the problems arise because one party is not being honest about their feelings and once this is resolved, it is possible to develop a deeper understanding of each other’s needs. Here is an informative article on the importance of balancing togetherness and independence in a relationship.
- Substance abuse – Many depressed people choose to self-medicate, which is a natural thing to want to do; however, it soon becomes an escape and as the addiction takes hold. It is possible to hold down a job and go through the process of life for a while, but usage will increase due to maintain that same high and this is when people really go off the rails. If you have a dependency and you’d like some help, there are Australian healthcare providers who can match you with the right counselor.
- Depression – There are many tags concerning mental health; depression really covers a lot of those terms and it can affect people in different ways; some people are able to put on a happy face and they are so good at this, all of their friends think they are genuinely happy. There are occasions when a therapist will refer a patient to a psychiatrist if they feel the specialist is better equipped or they think a deeper diagnosis is required.
On a positive note, the stigma over mental health is slowly being eroded and people are opening up and seeking professional help; you would certainly see a doctor if you hurt your shoulder and mental health is no different in that issues can be resolved with the right treatment.
According to statistics, 45% of Australian adults have suffered with mental health issues at some time in their life, which is a very high number. Of course, changing circumstances can make things better, but if you feel you are under stress, don’t ignore this. If you search online, you can find a reputable platform where you can connect with a mental health counselor and if that person does not seem suitable, you can change practitioners.
Zoom is an effective platform for counseling, so you don’t have to leave your home if you want to talk to your counselor. One on one sessions can be scheduled via the website; it has never been this easy to receive the help you need. Some people are worried if other people know they are having counselling and with digital delivery, you can receive the help you need in a confidential setting.The fast pace of 21st century life can cause a person to experience stress and anxiety; a high-pressure working environment can be a catalyst, or you might have lost your job and are at a loose end. We are fortunate to live in a country where mental health counselling is readily available
