Mental Health
How is your Mental Health?
Introduction
- With everything that is happening in the world following, there is a lot of uncertainty
- It is OK to feel overwhelmed or stressed
- But it is important to monitor these feelings, to practice self-care, and to seek help if they become disabling.
POSSIBLE EMOTIONAL REACTIONS
- You may notice some of the following:
- increased anxiety
- feeling stressed
- becoming irritable more easily
- feeling insecure or unsettled
- fearing that normal aches and pains might be the virus
- having trouble sleeping, nightmares
- feeling helpless or a lack of control
- having irrational thoughts
- use/misuse of alcohol or drugs
- feeling numb and empty
- major changes in eating patterns
- It is important to remember that most of us will experience similar underlying feelings at this time, although our emotional behaviour and coping mechanisms are likely to differ vastly
- Some of us will appear cool, calm and at times cold, or irritable, while others will appear anxious, fearful and at times emotional
- Some of us will have an intense need for order, control and structure (a “logical” approach)
- Others will have an intense need to process, discuss and feel (an “emotional” approach)
- Resilience needs diversity, and we benefit from allowing space for both approaches within ourselves and in others
While some of these symptoms, may be a ‘normal reaction’ to an ‘abnormal situation’, if one or more of these symptoms persist over more than 2 weeks, it would be important to use the supports listed below, up to and including seeking professional help from the range of agencies and organisations listed.
SELF-CARE
What works for some people when coping with stressful situations does not work for everyone, and it is important to create your own personal toolbox or support plan. The following suggestions have evidence to support their usefulness in promoting wellbeing
The LifeMatters Take five strategy will help you be aware of your needs and connect with resources and strategies to help.
Body
- The most important foundation for overall health & wellbeing and for keeping stress regulated and manageable
- Regular Exercise can help you sleep better, manage stress and boost your mood (link to Morgan B Sports section)
- Try to maintain a healthy eating plan and stay hydrated
- Prioritise sleep https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourself/Sleep (link to counselling website sleep self-help)
Behaviour
- Develop routines and rituals that you use each day
- Create and follow a daily routine……KISS Keep it Simple and Structured link to Lisa timetable
- Make a list - Decide on 3-5 priorities (no more) that you endeavour to complete each day (link to Lisa printout)
- Limit time spent on COVID-related updates – 2 blocks of 15 minutes per day checking reliable sources (link to main COVID site) is sufficient
- Spend time in nature
- Connect with family and friends – having contact with people you trust hugely reduces negative emotions
- Take breaks
Context
- We have passed through an International Health crisis and some of our lives have been turned upside down (tips for social distancing Life Matters link)
- Most of this is out of our control, but some things we can control
- Write your own mantra eg. “this too shall pass”, “I can do this” – be creative!
Spirit
- Pay attention to and continue to live your values and principles
- Bring compassion and care not just to others but also to yourself
- Prayer, meditation, mindfulness (link to mindfulness counselling and Maura wellbeing), yoga can all help here
Mind
- You may notice some of the following:
- increased anxiety
- feeling stressed
- becoming irritable more easily
- feeling insecure or unsettled
- fearing that normal aches and pains might be the virus
- having trouble sleeping, nightmares
- feeling helpless or a lack of control
- having irrational thoughts
- use/misuse of alcohol or drugs
- feeling numb and empty
- major changes in eating patterns
- It is important to remember that most of us will experience similar underlying feelings at this time, although our emotional behaviour and coping mechanisms are likely to differ vastly
- Some of us will appear cool, calm and at times cold, or irritable, while others will appear anxious, fearful and at times emotional
- Some of us will have an intense need for order, control and structure (a “logical” approach)
- Others will have an intense need to process, discuss and feel (an “emotional” approach)
- Resilience needs diversity, and we benefit from allowing space for both approaches within ourselves and in others
While some of these symptoms, may be a ‘normal reaction’ to an ‘abnormal situation’, if one or more of these symptoms persist over more than 2 weeks, it would be important to use the supports listed below, up to and including seeking professional help from the range of agencies and organisations listed.
SELF-CARE
What works for some people when coping with stressful situations does not work for everyone, and it is important to create your own personal toolbox or support plan. The following suggestions have evidence to support their usefulness in promoting wellbeing
The LifeMatters Take five strategy will help you be aware of your needs and connect with resources and strategies to help.
Body
- The most important foundation for overall health & wellbeing and for keeping stress regulated and manageable
- Regular Exercise can help you sleep better, manage stress and boost your mood (link to Morgan B Sports section)
- Try to maintain a healthy eating plan and stay hydrated
- Prioritise sleep https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourself/Sleep (link to counselling website sleep self-help)
Behaviour
- Develop routines and rituals that you use each day
- Create and follow a daily routine……KISS Keep it Simple and Structured link to Lisa timetable
- Make a list - Decide on 3-5 priorities (no more) that you endeavour to complete each day.
- Limit time spent on COVID-related updates – 2 blocks of 15 minutes per day checking reliable sources (link to main COVID site) is sufficient
- Spend time in nature
- Connect with family and friends – having contact with people you trust hugely reduces negative emotions
- Take breaks
Context
- We have passed through an international health crisis and some of our lives have been turned upside down
- Some of this is out of our control, but some things we can control
- Write your own mantra eg. “this too shall pass”, “I can do this” – be creative!
Spirit
- Pay attention to and continue to live your values and principles
- Bring compassion and care not just to others but also to yourself
- Prayer, meditation, mindfulness,
- Take control of negative thoughts and work to reframe them
- It will be easier to keep calm, clear and focussed if the above are taken care of but the following might help too:
- Awareness: A daily check in on your mood, energy and presence
- Attention: Pay attention to the present moment – We can only do one task at a time
- Pace Yourself: Life is a marathon, not a sprint. Stress might be activating and give us the urge to go faster and work harder. Working smarter not harder will support your effort best at this time.
- Breathe and Be Present: Take a slow deep breath, bring your attention to the present moment – you can schedule this on your phone
- Schedule Worry Time: If you are finding it hard to focus while worried, schedule a short time (3-5 mins) to write down all your worries or concerns
- Get Clarity about what you can and cannot Control: Write down a list of things you can and can't control to focus your actions on the things you can control.
- Focus on Success and Strengths: Amidst all the challenges and stress, remind yourself of what strengths and skills you bring to this challenge
- Stay Connected: It is a good idea to maintain contact with friends and family
- 3 Good Things : Each day list 3 good things that you have achieved and three things that you are grateful for. This can help us to look out for positive moments in our day
- Cut down on alcohol and drugs: substances can sometimes numb difficult emotions and can appear to help in the short-term. However, their after effects on mood, anxiety and the ability to study and work are significant and they worsen pre-existing mental health conditions
SUPPORTS AVAILABLE
Step 1: Psychoeducation
People often turn to friends and family first for support, next they look online. Finding yourself reading this site and exploring the links above is psychoeducation.
A website that might help:
Ireland’s youth information website created by young people for young people with sections on coping with study and work
Step 2: Online Supports
The next step is to participate and follow an online workbook or to enrol in an online programme
https://www.ucc.ie/en/studentcounselling/info/
The UCC Student Counselling website provides links to such programmes
https://www.inspiresupporthub.org/ (UCC Company Pin: UCC12019)
The Staff EAP programme has similar programmes
Additional online evidence based programmes include:
https://suicideorsurvive.ie/online-wellness-workshop/
Online wellness workshop, largely video based
https://ifightdepression.com/en/self-management-resources/ifightdepression-tool
The iFightDepression tool is a guided, internet-based self-management programme for individuals experiencing mild to moderate depression that was developed based on existing evidence, best practice recommendations and user and expert consensus. The tool is free to use and is intended to help individuals to self-manage their symptoms of depression and to promote recovery, with support from a trained GP or mental health professional. The tool is based on principles of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) - IS IT FREE ?
STEP 3: Seek Professional Help
It is important to seek professional help in the following situations:
- You want help with emotional wellbeing and are struggling to navigate online supports
- Nothing you have tried seems to have helped
- Your friends or family are tired of listening to you
- You are overusing or abusing something to alleviate symptoms eg. alcohol, drugs, food, work/study, sex, gaming, internet, pornography, gambling
- You have been struggling to sleep or are experiencing negative emotions (eg. low mood or anxiety) for over a week or two
- You have been having suicidal thoughts
UCC Student Counselling and UCC Student Health Helpline
If you are in CRISIS
- If you are in crisis, you can contact Crisis Text Line. Text UCC to 086 1800280 to chat anonymously to a trained volunteer 24/7. Any issue. Any time.
- Or contact your nearest Accident & Emergency Unit, your local GP or your local GP out of Hours service