Supporting someone with bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder is a serious long-term mental illness that can significantly impact all aspects of a person’s life. It is characterised by episodes of depression (severe low mood) and mania (extremely high and euphoric mood) affecting a person’s emotions, thinking...
Words matter – compassionate language for mental health
We have hopefully moved beyond the old adage of ‘sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me’. We know that words can harm. They can be emotionally hurtful, and they can spread misinformation. While most of us know not to participate in hate...
Women and mental health across the lifespan
Our Australian population is diverse and addressing mental health issues from a gendered perspective is tricky. No two women are the same, and their experiences with mental health may be determined by a mix of factors such as, genetics, biology, age, gender, culture,...
What to do when a mental health conversation doesn’t go to plan
Holding a mental health conversation is a bit like learning to ride a bicycle. At first, you may need extra training to give you the skills you need. You may wobble just a little at your first approach. Over time, confidence and experience can build. But even with...
Unspoken clues someone might benefit from a mental health first aid conversation
The signs and symptoms that point to someone developing or experiencing a mental health problem are not always overt. There are usually subtle signs, clues or behavioural changes that can allude to a need for support, connection or someone to talk to. The amount of...
