Mental Health Resources

There are many ways to support your mental health and well-being. Here you can find a number of resources that can help you, or assist you with helping someone else. 

From support services, call lines, self-care apps to articles it's important to ensure you have a variety of resources available when you need them.

Support Services

Each year in October, we are reminded to care for our mental health during Mental Health Week. Our mental health influences how we think, feel, and act. It affects every aspect of our lives and can be influenced by our lifestyle choices. While some people are more prone to specific mental health issues like anxiety and depression, there are proactive measures we can all take to boost our mental health each day.

Investing in mental health and learning how to support those around you is incredibly important at work, for your loved ones, and for yourself. St John WA offers a First Aid for Mental Health course intended for both businesses and individuals. The course is designed to empower you with the knowledge and skills to better support others both in the workplace and at home.

If you’re looking to improve your mental health, there are some changes you can make that might seem obvious but do make a big difference.

Good sleep

Sleep is an essential part of life, with most people needing seven to eight hours of quality rest every night. It helps to boost memory, improve mood, and helps to manage your stress levels. Like many things in life, good sleep is often a matter of routine. Following a few basic habits in the evening can make you more likely to fall asleep fast and stay that way. You need to create a calming environment to help wind down after your day and get your body ready to relax.

Struggling to sleep? Try these out:

• Schedule screen-free time in the evenings
• If you must use screens, turn on the blue light filter
• Keep your bedroom as a tranquil environment for sleep
• Read a book or listen to music before bed to relax
• Try to avoid work and worry in the hours before bed
• Try and go to bed and get up at the same time each day (or within an hour).

Regular exercise

Along with good sleeping patterns, exercise is key to mental health. Regular exercise boosts energy levels, promotes mental clarity, and improves mood. This is due to the release of serotonin and endorphins, increased self-esteem and reduced stress over time. Regular exercise also makes you feel tired, which means you're likely to get better sleep.

Can’t find time to keep fit? Try these out:

• Try to develop a consistent exercise routine
• Start slow and build your fitness over time
• Enjoy exercising with others as a social activity
• Exercise outdoors and enjoy nature
• Try walking or cycling as a form of transport

Healthy food and hydration

Food gives us energy to get through the day, provides our body and brain with essential nutrients, and helps us fight off disease. It also boosts gut health, with the bacteria inside our gut known to influence mood and mental health. Water intake is also critical for good mental health. Even mild dehydration (four glasses or less per day) can affect cognition, attention, increasing fatigue and sleepiness, and worsening mood.

Healthy eating doesn't have to be complicated, but just like exercise and sleep, it helps to be consistent.

Unsure what foods to eat? Try these:

• Eat lots of fresh vegetables and fruits
• Consume whole grains and fibre
• Eat regularly to keep your energy levels high
• Reduce your sugar and red meat consumption
• Enjoy healthy omega-3 fats for brain health

St John WA has a wealth of mental health resources at your disposal. If you’re looking for a more significant change, enrol in the one-day St John First Aid for Mental Health course to learn valuable skills to help others and learn coping strategies to de-stress and manage your own mental health.