Mental health is a term to describe emotional wellbeing. Our mental health impacts how we think, feel and behave. When we are in good mental health, we can cope with life’s stressors, form positive relationships and function well in daily life.

A mental health problem can occur when difficult experiences or complex feelings affect our ability to function. Thoughts, feelings and perceptions are often changed in a way that makes it hard to manage daily life.

It is normal to experience some of these signs or symptoms from time to time. When they persist and make it hard to do things there may be a problem.

• Feeling anxious or worried
• Feeling depressed or unhappy
• Feeling that life isn’t worth living
• Sleep disturbance (sleeping too much, not sleeping enough)
• Drug or Alcohol use
• Weight related anxiety (fear of gaining or losing weight)
• Fluctuations with weight
• Emotional outbursts (becoming angry more easily, crying frequently)
• Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
• Uncontrollable fear of a specific object or situation
• Fear that others may want to harm you, or that they are talking negatively about you
• Hearing voices when nobody has spoken
• Seeing objects or images that others don’t see

If you’re experiencing any of the above and notice impacts to any of the following, it’s a sign that daily functioning is being impacted:

• Difficulties managing finances,
• Changes or decline in school or work performance
• Changes in appetite 
• Changes in relationships and
• Declines in with personal hygiene 
• Difficulties getting out of bed or leaving the house
• Isolating / Preferring to be alone as opposed to with other people
• Legal Issues

The most common forms of support are talk therapy, medication management or a combination of both.

Talk therapy with a qualified mental health professional offers a safe, confidential space to share your story free from judgment. Your therapist will help you explore the impact your emotions, thoughts and actions have on your life. They will also teach you skills so you can feel more comfortable in your environment and find healthy ways to manage any challenges. Medication management services are provided by a Psychiatrist or Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner who can prescribe medications to help reduce symptoms.

There is no right or wrong answer. Therapy and Medication Management are both valuable tools that can reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. They can be use separately or together to help reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.