The AIHW's (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare) 2020 report showed that 1 in 5 Australians have a mental health condition. Last year's statistics revealed that 1 in 10 had depression or feelings of depression. It's an epidemic of way greater proportion than Covid, with one massive difference. It's a silent killer.
The COAG Health Council 2017 defines mental illness as 'a clinically diagnosable disorder that significantly interferes with a person's cognitive, emotional or social abilities'.
What's even more interesting is that '..a person does not need to meet the criteria for a mental illness or mental disorder to be negatively affected by their mental health', says COAG.
As I sit here writing this, I am reflecting on my own journey with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), anxiety and depression. It was one of the contributing factors to me leaving my highly successful career as a lawyer. Added to this, the crippling effects of burnout from working 22 hour days for months at a time on deals. It was a heady cocktail for disaster.
Who is affected most?
The AIHW figures show that mental disorders among Indigenous Australians was 2.4 times the rate for non-Indigenous Australians.
One in five Australian employees report that they have taken time off work due to feeling mentally unwell in the past 12 months, according to Beyond Blue. This figure is doubled where people feel that the workplace itself is culturally mentally unhealthy.
It's clear that mental illness doesn't discriminate, but there are varying socio-economic factors driving it, and these need to be understood better if we are to have any success in dealing with it.
Our politicians have just thrown $2.3 billion of new mental health funding at the problem. Whilst this is a step in the right direction, I don't believe that it comes anywhere close to solving the escalating and complex needs across geographical, social and economic communities.
Removing The Stigma
A study, conducted by TNS Social Research, found that males and older employees are more likely to have concerns about the workplace performance of a colleague experiencing depression or anxiety.
As a lawyer working in a top circle white male-dominated law firm, there was no way I was going to share my mental health struggles with anyone. I was terrified of the stigma that would be attached to me. I believed I'd be 'let go' if they found out. So I suffered in silence.
Leader Led Change
'When mental health is valued by leaders, and appropriate resources are available in the workplace, there are real benefits to business', says Beyond Blue.
Morally and ethically, it is incumbent upon all workplaces to cultivate environments that support mental health. That have plans and strategies in place to facilitate employees to feel safe exposing their mental health challenges. To no longer treat anyone suffering from mental ill health like they are a leper, and eradicate stigma by implementing channels for it to be discussed openly and honestly.
Investing in people in this way serves everyone's interests including stakeholders. It promotes staff retention and attraction, client loyalty, increased productivity and innovation to name just a few benefits.
Energetic Support
The one aspect of mental health that the West has yet to embrace is the benefit of energetic support for mental illness.
The West treats mental health from an external perspective of talk therapy and medication. Compare this to Eastern medicine that treats mental ill health from a holistic perspective addressing all aspects of a patient's life, lifestyle and environment. From diet, personal background, culture, to emotional states and how well the body's 'chi' or 'prana' energy is flowing.
A study of the long term effects of energy healing in a 2014 Alternative Therapies in Mental Health and Medicine article showed a '...significant reduction in symptoms of psychological distress.'
As a trained energy specialist, I can attest to this in my own case, and those who I have treated. Energetic fitness training was the catalyst for my own healing. It rapidly reduced my symptoms and was the reason why I decided to train to become a qualified as an energy therapy specialist myself. Because it helped me not only recover from my mental ill health but it also brought me to experience real lasting joy in my life.
We have 9 major subtle energy centres in our physical body. The centre that sits at the base of our spine is a key contributor to our mental wellbeing. When it gets congested, blocked or damaged, it can cause all sorts of mental illness. This happens if it is not regularly and properly maintained.
In my personal experience and that of my clients, detoxing and treating this centre greatly reduces the symptoms immediately and, in most cases, the illness is resolved completely over a period of sessions, no medication needed. This is in stark contrast to Western medicine which treats only symptoms, and does not consider the potential for a complete cure.
Mental illness is a very real and complex issue in our ever growing and advancing age of technology. Our organic bodies are not equipped for the rapid technological advancements that we are all experiencing. It is vital to get armed with all the facts, as well as the alternative therapies and solutions out there.
If you would like me to speak about alternative ways to deal with burn out or mental health at your next event, or in your organisation, simply click here or email me at [email protected]
I have designed specific energy therapeutic meditations to assist with mental ill health, anxiety, stress, panic attacks and energy centre (chakra) therapy. You can access these here
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If you or someone you know needs help, you can call:
Lifeline 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
These crisis support services operate 24 hours a day
