Thankyou GPs for doing all that you do for your patients…
Mental Health Awareness Week
Mental Health Awareness Week is about putting a spotlight on our mental health and what we can do to enhance life. When we think about mental health we tend to have a very narrow understanding of the term; there can be a tendency to think we are referring to mental ill-health. BUT mental health is much more; it is about how we keep ourselves mentally well.
Mental health and wellbeing is impacted by a number of aspects: our physical health & wellbeing, our psychological health & wellbeing, our spiritual wellbeing (which might but not necessarily mean religious wellbeing), our social connections & wellbeing and of course our lifestyle.
Physical wellness
Our physical health and wellness often has a significant effect on our mental wellbeing. When we are physically sick this tends to have an impact on how we feel emotionally; we are more likely to describe ourselves as down, flat or depressed and might also tend to experience more anxiety.
This means that medical professionals, such as GPs, nurses and medical specialists, can play a significant part in the patients’ mental wellbeing. GPs and practice nurses are often the first port of call when someone is feeling unwell. And their role in identifying and unpacking what might be happening for their patient cannot be understated. The GP is often called on to provide some form of counselling to assist their patient to feel well.
Mental wellness & GPs
Sometimes, though patients might need help from an expert in mental health, such as a psychologist. At this point GPs provide appropriate referrals or their patients. GPs often consider their patient’s specific needs, their personality and what might actually be helpful for them. It’s wonderful when a GP knows their patient well and has developed a sound working relationship with them and is able to offer appropriate referrals to ensure their patient is on the path to better mental health and wellbeing.
Dear GPs, thankyou
Dear GPs,
thankyou for your wonderful, caring, and sometimes challenging, work with your patients. Thankyou for offering ongoing opportunities for your patients to talk with you about their concerns. Thankyou for offering the support you can. Thankyou for being aware that sometimes the care they need might require a referral to another expert. Thankyou for considering that sometimes talk therapy is the most appropriate treatment.
Psychologists
Psychologists are experts in mental illness, health and wellbeing. Psychologists utilise evidence-based techniques and strategies to assist their patients understand their mental health and ill-health, learn strategies to manage as well as assisting them to identify their strengths and draw on them to boost their mental health and wellbeing. As a Counselling Psychologist I tend to take a positive psychology approach and emphasise strengths and work towards mental health without a primary focus on mental ill-health.
Enhance Life Psychology
Enhance Life Psychology is a private psychology practice in Prahran. We work collaboratively with GPs and other relevant clinicians who might be involved in a patient’s care. We welcome you to contact us if you would like to discuss the care of your patient, or your care of your own mental health.
Contact details can be found here.