Mental Health Advice

Mental Health Advice

Mental health means striking a balance in all aspects of one’s life: social, physical, spiritual, economic and mental. Sometimes, in our fast-paced, complicated lives, we need a little help finding this balance. If you’re going through a rough time, why suffer alone? Your doctor can refer you to a mental health care professional who can help. Not-for-profit or government-funded counseling centres require no doctor referral and can be contacted directly to make an appointment. Reasons for seeking professional help can include depression, anxiety, grieving, post-traumatic stress, stress management, anger management and family counseling.

Studies show that most people seek help to keep their problems from escalating out of their control, not after. However, if the need is urgent, the front page of your telephone book lists crisis hotlines and hospital emergency facilities are equipped to help.

The Cost

Fees vary for therapists, psychologists and psychoanalysts and are not covered by provincial health care plans. Medical insurance plans through work or an educational institution often offer partial coverage. Not-for-profit counseling centre fees are based on a sliding scale, taking into account a client’s annual gross family income.

How to Maintain Good Mental Health

For most, good mental health can be achieved by seeking professional help when it’s needed and taking care of the physical self with a good diet, lots of sleep and exercise. It’s also very important to participate in recreation activities, cultivate strong social supports, learn effective stress management strategies, and focus on the positive. Of course, this is easier said than done, so don’t be discouraged; there are always people who care and want to help.

Mental Illness

Mental illness is the term used to refer to a variety of mental disorders that can be diagnosed and are characterized by serious alternations in thinking, mood, or behavior associated with distress or impaired functioning.

For people who suffer from mental disorders like schizophrenia or bi-polar disorder, general hospitals and psychiatric hospitals are equiped with mental health facilities that provide in- and out-patient programs funded by provincial health care and government agencies.