MIND
matters
THE organisation I have the privilege of leading is known most often as Niamh. However, in most of our communications, we refer to ourselves as Niamh Wellbeing - and we do this for a reason. To be truly effective in supporting those living with, or at risk of mental ill health, we have to look at the overall individual wellbeing of that person; a healthy mind in a healthy body in a healthy social setting.
When we feel an emotion we can define it with a physical response. We shake with anger, tremble with fear, feel dizzy with love, get choked up with sadness. There is a natural link between our mental wellbeing and our physical wellbeing and this is not limited to the expressions I have just listed.
A person with mental ill-health can often be less motivated to care for their physical health, or to seek treatment perhaps as a result of their condition or as a result of underlying stigma that still surrounds the issue of mental health.
Research tells us that those living with serious mental illness have around twice the risk of diabetes, hypertension and dying from coronary heart disease. A research report earlier this year from Oxford University Trust found that serious mental illnesses reduce life expectancy by 10 to 20 years, a loss of years that is equivalent to or worse than that for heavy smoking.
These findings should not make any of us tremble with fear but rather should motivate us to take more care of our wellbeing in its broadest sense. Wellbeing in mind can improve not only the quality but also the quantity of life we lead.
And the good news is that we all have the power to take those first steps to improve our wellbeing in mind by changing negative thoughts and feelings into positive, motivating thoughts, and in doing so, help create a healthy mind in a healthy body. There may be times when we may need to ask for help in doing this - we don't always feel able to see the positive in a situation. Also negative thoughts can flit into our consciousness, do their damage and flit back out again, with us not really even noticing. However, this does not lessen their harmful effect. Getting a fresh perspective by talking to a friend, family member or mental health professional can be a useful process. Often even just chatting through the issue can give new clarity and a release of anxiety. It also creates that healthy social setting that is so essential in supporting the wellbeing of both mind and body.
Wellbeing is a process, not an outcome.
It relies on having a balance of physical, emotional and social support and in this equation the mind really does matter.
* Professor Peter McBride is CEO of Niamh, the Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health.