Mental Health CALM 20

What is Mental Health?  Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act.  It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.  Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

 Mental health problems may include mental illness such as (but not limited too):  depression  postpartum depression  anxiety  obsessive compulsive disorder  schizophrenia

 Over the course of your life, if you experience mental health problems, your thinking, mood, and behavior could be affected. Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including:  Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry  Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse  Family history of mental health problems

Positive Mental Health  Positive mental health allows people to:  Realize their full potential  Cope with the stresses of life  Work productively  Make meaningful contributions to their communities

Ways to Maintain Positive Mental Health  include:  Getting professional help if you need it  Connecting with others  Staying positive  Getting physically active  Helping others  Getting enough sleep  Developing coping skills

Resources for Mental Health  Alberta Mental Health Services   Alberta Government Programs & Services for Mental Health  px?N= px?N=  Mental Health Alberta  Mental-Health.html Mental-Health.html  Canadian Mental Health Association Alberta 

Coping with Change  Change is always coming.  Whether you look forward to a change or dread it, change triggers powerful effects in your body and your emotions (sometimes called "stress!").  You can increase your sense of control and steer your life into positive territory when you know how to deal with change.

 Approach dealing with change as a process. Dealing with change is not like an electric switch that is either on or off. It is like baking bread. There are many steps and ingredients. Both baking bread and dealing with change take time.  Reframe the way you think about change. Choose to give positive meaning to life changes. Even if you've never moved your furniture, you still have the hair style you wore in Elementary School, and you always the same lunch, you CAN thrive on change.  Breathe and be flexible. Prepare to move with the changes because they are going to happen. No one's life is free of change. And you wouldn't like it if it WAS!

7 Tips for How to Deal with Change  1) Simply notice that you are in the midst of change and that change is a part of you.  This might seem like a no-brainer, but it takes some practice to become aware of change instead of subconsciously denying it.  Don't try to run and hide. If you have a journal, write about changes you notice. (remember- Stress Journal…)

7 Tips for How to Deal with Change  2) Face your feelings about the change, especially when the change is imposed and beyond your control.  Get past "Why me?" "But I don't want to!" and "It isn't fair!"  Figure out what your fears or worries are. That takes work. You don't have to be a victim, even when you are not in control of the change.  Write about your feelings.

7 Tips for How to Deal with Change  3) Figure out when to accept and when to reject the change.  Have you heard the serenity prayer?  Reflect on what you are accepting, what you are rejecting, and what you are doing something about. You will be amazed at how effective your choices are

7 Tips for How to Deal with Change  4) Adopt an attitude of anticipation, and be grateful.  Welcome change as an opportunity. Find the benefit somewhere in the change. There is always a benefit and an opportunity.  Start by keeping a written record for 3 days. Every day, note 3 things, large or small, that you are grateful for. You will notice a more powerful attitude of anticipation growing (hey! that might be a nice change!).

7 Tips for How to Deal with Change  5) Choose your thoughts and attitudes about each change.  Negative thoughts block your creativity and problem-solving abilities.  Positive thoughts build bridges to possibilities and opportunities.  Keep a record of the choices you make in your thoughts and attitudes.

7 Tips for How to Deal with Change  6) Learn to relax (more).  Deep breathing works for many people.  Exercise helps most of us to relax.  Choose the way that works best for you. Relaxation allows you to deal well with change.  (Stress tool box!)

7 Tips for How to Deal with Change  7) Set smart goals so you can consciously guide the change.  Smart goal setting helps you decide how to make the change happen and to recognize your successes.  Write out your goals and your plans to meet them.  SMART (Specific, Measureable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely)