Mental Health
What is mental good health?
Mental health is a state of well-being where an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope
with the normal stress of life, works productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a significant
contribution to his or her community. A person without a mental disorder is taken to be mentally healthy.
What is bad mental health?
The exact opposite of the above, when individuals can't cope or manage with everyday stresses and are
unable or struggle to make a significant contribution to their everyday life.
There are many negative attitudes and views around Mental Health in society and these carry significance for the people who suffer with various mental health issues. This is one of the huge factors associated with stigma and shame associated with mental health. To be diagnosed with a mental illness i.e. Depression or Schizophrenia can be hugely stigmatic for the individual and for the family. Unlike a car accident, where people offer huge support a mental health issue offers the opposite. For the sufferer it is hard to explain to others and often understand for self why and what it is all about. This can and is even more traumatising. It is difficult to explain to others the reasons why we act or behave in the manner we do and how the illness effects us. Unlike a flu when the sufferer has symptoms of coughing and high temperature which validate and normalise the illness for ourself and others. Often as a society we label people with mental health issues as mad or crazy
What or how does Counselling help?
Counselling offers a place to talk about what is going on in the person’s life. It looks in-depth at the
relationship and social and psychological issues which may be the cause of the illness and are central to
recovery. The fact that, as humans, we were not born with the issues is ignored by the medical profession
which can be very quick to make diagnosis and offers a medical recovery often involving medication.
Counselling is a process that listens attentively and makes the connection between the form of the
person’s distress and the life of the person. This allows the person to put words to their thoughts and
feeling which have brought the confusions and distress into their lives. Allowing a clearer understanding
of what is actually happening this leads to a more secure individual. The things that a person had once feared
or was unable to chat about now becomes a richer more creative place for the person. Counselling offers
support and new ways of thinking and behaving helping you to make better choices and decisions.
Mental illness is a normal reaction to something unknown to the person that has caused an abnormal behaviour. Counselling helps normalise the person and offers new ways of loving and appreciating who the person is and can become.
Some of the issues that counselling can help with are:- Anger.
- Anxiety.
- Panic.
- Grief.
- Loss
- Bereavement
- Separation
- Relationship breakdown.
- Depression.
- Loneliness.
- Isolation.
- Despair.
- Eating Disorders
- Feelings of Hopelessness.
- Symptoms of Schizophrenia
- Self-image.
- Self-esteem.
- Confidence.
- Insecurity.
- Self-belief.
- Childhood issues & trauma.
- Sexual Abuse.
- Sexual Dysfunction.
- Addiction Recovery.
- Co-Dependence.
How does counselling work?
First and foremost, counselling works by giving you the chance to be heard. Your counsellor will
give you all the time you need to talk, sob, shout or just think. It's an opportunity to look at the
problem in a different way with someone who'll respect and encourage your opinions and decisions.
Counselling offers a fresh start to a new life. Please feel free to contact me on (087) 320 6842 or
(053) 938 2819.