A shift is needed…
The shift we’re talking about…
The subject of mental health has arrived in everybody’s inbox. We’re all very aware of it.
Mental health. What is this? Is it mental illness or mental health?
Historically mental health has been primarily associated with mental illness involving a diagnosis such as depression, anxiety or a personality disorder. Having a diagnosis can be helpful to explain what is happening, and treatment such as medication can be empowering and indeed essential.
However is it the most helpful title?
Let’s explore this.
Covid is a universally difficult experience that has highlighted the importance of caring for our mental health. Influencers such as Brene Brown, Oprah and Adele have been remarkably open about how they navigate their emotional lives. They have been well received because we can all relate to parts of their stories. This has opened up the conversation about self care and respect which is the bedrock of emotional health.
What if we used the term ‘emotional health’ interchangeably with, or instead of, ‘mental health’ and it’s connotations of illness.
At NurtureWell we would like to place caring for emotional health on everyone’s to do list. We believe that emotional health care is the backbone of a good life. The essence of emotional health care is to treat yourself like a good friend with kindness and compassion.
We all experience emotions and parenting can draw out of us emotions that we didn’t expect and may not even like. All parents want to set their children up well for adult life and at Nurturewell we believe setting up a child well involves fostering in them a strong sense of self and security. We recognise and indeed have experienced how hard parenting can be which is why we believe that parents need to be aware of, and indeed actively care for, their own emotional health.
What we know is that a parents emotional health affects a child’s overall wellbeing especially their sense of self and security.
So we think at Nurturewell that to enable your children to develop a strong sense of self and security parents need to know their own emotional needs and how to meet them.
“Raising children is an important job, and looking after yourself helps you do the job well. That’s because looking after yourself physically, mentally and emotionally helps you give your children what they need to grow and thrive.
Looking after yourself involves looking after your relationships, your health and your wellbeing.
When you’re focused on looking after babies or children, it’s easy to forget or run out of time to look after these parts of your life. But looking after yourself is worth it – it’s good for you and good for your children.”
Raising Children network (raisingchildren.net,au)
Things to think about….
What makes you happy? What helps you be calm? What helps you manage your daily life?
Do you like to be alone or with friends?
Do you know when you’re getting angry? Overwhelmed? Do you know when you’re tired?
Do you need to make lists and plan meals or make it up as you go?
Do you need more order or less?
Do you get hangry?
Can you take a break before you’re desperate for one?
Are you being kind to yourself and showing yourself respect?