The world stressors are at an all-time high. A global pandemic. Intense political climate in the world community. Drastic changes to our normal living habits. Changes to our childrens’ school and extracurricular activities.
Heightened anxiety, irritability, worry and/or concern is inevitable. The effects of stress are far reaching. There has been no escape from it these last few months.
You are not alone. Yet it may feel very much like you are. So much is beyond your personal locus of control.
So how are you really doing?
Heightened anxiety, irritability, worry and/or concern is inevitable. The effects of stress are far reaching. There has been no escape from it these last few months.
You are not alone. Yet it may feel very much like you are. So much is beyond your personal locus of control.
- So what can you do?
- What is in your control?
So how are you really doing?
Perhaps the answer to this question varies day to day. Fluctuations in our wellbeing to some degree, are considered to be “normal” or typical. However, sometimes your current state of wellbeing can be difficult to pinpoint. You can also be unconsciously self-deceptive about your wellbeing out of habit like when someone asks:
“how are you?”
how often are you truly honest? How often do you quickly respond without reflection “good!”?
Well I am excited to share with you a tool that helps you do a mini self check.
“how are you?”
how often are you truly honest? How often do you quickly respond without reflection “good!”?
Well I am excited to share with you a tool that helps you do a mini self check.
The Mental Health Continuum Model
The Mental Health Continuum Model was developed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada to help employers understand mental illness in the workplace.
This model illustrates the spectrum of symptoms people exhibit when dealing with mental health issues. The mental health continuum is a range having mental health and mental illness at the two extreme ends. Depending on the internal and external faculties of a person at any time, a person can be at one point of the continuum and shift position as his situation improves or deteriorates.
The continuum goes from:
What Can You Do?
You may find it helpful to identify your present state of health and problem solve without reinventing the wheel.
Use the Model as seen in the picture, to place yourself on the scale. Ask yourself,
“Am I feeling focused today?” or
“Can I break problems into manageable chunks?”
If you are finding you are swaying away from the Green Zone, what are your strategies to help? Are they:
This model illustrates the spectrum of symptoms people exhibit when dealing with mental health issues. The mental health continuum is a range having mental health and mental illness at the two extreme ends. Depending on the internal and external faculties of a person at any time, a person can be at one point of the continuum and shift position as his situation improves or deteriorates.
The continuum goes from:
- healthy, adaptive coping (green),
- through mild and reversible distress or functional impairment (yellow),
- to more severe, persistent injury or impairment (orange),
- through to clinical illnesses and disorders requiring more concentrated medical care (red).
- It also provides a list of action strategies one might use to cope in health-adaptive ways depending which zone we find ourselves in.
What Can You Do?
You may find it helpful to identify your present state of health and problem solve without reinventing the wheel.
Use the Model as seen in the picture, to place yourself on the scale. Ask yourself,
“Am I feeling focused today?” or
“Can I break problems into manageable chunks?”
If you are finding you are swaying away from the Green Zone, what are your strategies to help? Are they:
- Deep breathing
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Or maybe you don’t have a strategy yet…and that’s ok.
What’s Next?
I hope you keep this in mind and in “your back pocket” as a tool to check in with yourself because we only truly have control over ourselves. Let’s take charge of our wellness in these uncertain times!
Do you need to talk with someone about things?
I am here - I am Certified in Mental Health First Aid, developed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada, and would be happy to help with any questions you may have.
I hope you keep this in mind and in “your back pocket” as a tool to check in with yourself because we only truly have control over ourselves. Let’s take charge of our wellness in these uncertain times!
Do you need to talk with someone about things?
I am here - I am Certified in Mental Health First Aid, developed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada, and would be happy to help with any questions you may have.
~ Lisa Lepage, Physiotherapist, Certified Mental Health First Aid
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