1. Looking after your Mental Health
Dr. John Hillery
Consultant Psychiatrist

2. No Health without Mental Health
Poor mental health effects:
Social Functioning
Cognitive Functioning
Work Functioning
Bodies Resistance
Bodies Recovery Capacity
Society

3. Mental Health
Mental health is not just the absence of mental disorder. It is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community. WHO

4. Healthy ------- Discomfort -------- Ill Health -------- Illness
Mental Health
A Continuum
Healthy Discomfort Ill Health Illness

5. Anxiety & Performance

6. Mental Health & Cancer Direct Relationship Not Proven Indirect Links
Effect on Course of Illness

7. Cancer & Mental Health Adjustment Disorder Panic Disorder Phobias
Obsessive- compulsive Disorder
Post Traumatic Stress disorder
Generalised Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety Disorder caused by other Medical Conditions
Depression

8. What to do? Promoting Your Mental Health
Look after your basic needs first: Eat & Sleep
Listen to your body & use your breathing
Have the courage to be imperfect & set realistic goals
Alcohol in moderation & responsibly

9. What to do? Promoting Your Mental Health
Take time out for yourself, lose yourself
Sign up for that course, join that club, volunteer
Be active everyday in as many ways as you can
Spend time with people who make you feel good

10. What to do? Promoting Your Mental Health
Laugh out loud each day
Share the work-load, get everyone involved
Try to be positive and focus on things you can control
Think about how you think
Talk about your troubles and seek help early

11. What to do? Preventing Ill Health
Watch Your Physical Health
Diet
Habits
Exercise
Life Balance
Changing Mindsets
Meditation
Mindfullness
Reframing Thoughts

12. Recognising Illness
The experiencing of severe and distressing psychological symptoms to the extent that normal functioning is seriously impaired.

13. Recognising Depression
Having a depressed mood for most of the day and on most days.
Loss of pleasure and interest in most activities.
Changes in eating and sleeping habits.
Nervousness or sluggishness.
Tiredness.
Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt.
Poor concentration.
Constant thoughts of death or suicide.

14. What to do? Treating Illness
Getting help
Medical Assessment
Listening
Counselling
Psychotherapy
Medication
Recovery Approach

15. What to Do? Helping Others
Listen.
Facilitate Involvement.
Encourage.
Don’t Preach.
Recognise Limits.

16. Take Away Be Proactive. Depression is not a given.
If in doubt talk it out.
Recovery is the aim.