In the society we live in, mental wellbeing is finally being recognized as equally important to physical wellbeing. For many individuals, however, it feels complicated, costly, or too overwhelming to access professional support, which usually leads to delaying support until these challenges become bigger problems. The good news is that we have built and structured systems to ensure support is accessible, affordable, and effective. Not only do these systems reduce costs, but they also shorten the distance to connect individuals to professionals and treatments tailored to meet the needs of these individuals.
This blog will provide thoughts about the importance of early intervention, how the support systems are structured, and what individuals can do for mental wellbeing to become a priority in their lives each day.
Why Mental Health Matters
Mental wellbeing will affect every part of your life-from relationships, work and productivity, to physical wellbeing. When a person has an elevated level of stress, anxiety, or mood fluctuations for an extended period of time, it often has downstream effects such as less effective concentration, reduced productivity, and even the inability to maintain socially meaningful connections with friends, family, or coworkers. If these issues are not addressed, they can become more complex, and compound the problems we currently face.
By prioritizing mental health, individuals can develop resilience, strengthen coping strategies, and cultivate greater balance in life. Just as society puts time into physical fitness, the same time should be considered for activities to promote clarity of mind, calmness and confidence.
Understanding Barriers to Support
Stigma, cost, and lack of information have historically been barriers that prevent people from getting professional help. Many people are also confused about how and what to select, and don’t know how to find out that information with little cost. Others may think that professional help is for serious problems. Some people may even think that they don’t need professional input and are not aware of how they would be able to receive input on even moderate concerns.
In the past, barriers like these were difficult, if not impossible to overcome. Today, with increased awareness, a structured system with barriers in mind for access, has contributed to its management presumably lowering stigma. Government, health districts and others in the community now share a reduced read. This helps as governments, governmental health districts and regional organizations ensure people can find the right support services at the right time-without huge financial burden.
How Professional Plan Support Access to Care
A clearly defined and organized pathway when deciding to seek professional help is extremely valuable. Professional plans are designed for people to have structure and feedback and regularly meet their needs with services that address their greatest needs. Accessing a professional plan usually involves:
- Initial evaluation: A meeting with a trained professional, who listens to concerns and assesses what level of support is reasonable.
- Goal identification: Determining what the client hopes to work toward (lessening the stress, managing emotion, or healthy behaviours).
- Structured access: Referring the client to a psychologist, a counselor, or therapist best suited to the client’s needs.
- Tracking: Ongoing contact to monitor improvement and adjust strategies, as needed.
This type of process helps to lessen ambiguity, build faith, and provides an individual’s safety net so the individual does not feel ‘lost’ in the system.
The Role of Affordability
One of the most powerful change agents in mental health access is affordability. A high consultation fee was often a barrier for many to explore after one or two sessions. Now with subsidized programs this has changed, and clients get the on-going care they need not worrying about cost.
For instance, individuals who see a general practitioner might be issued a referral for subsidised, or completely free, sessions with a mental health professional. Such an easy touchpoint could be the one factor that encourages a person to continue with their care or abandon it entirely prerogative of cost. Sometimes, individuals can even access some bulk billed mental health care plan, meaning they will not incur any costs.
Establish a Culture of Early Intervention
Support is too often only sought in times of crisis. We should be seeking to normalise attention to mental wellbeing, much the same way we do with routine healthcare. By accessing regular check-ins with professionals, akin to annual health check-ups, issues can be highlighted and averted before escalating to significant problems.
Work, school, and communities have a significant role to play in this. Programs, like mental health awareness programs, wellness days, and flexibility with leave, all work towards normalising conversations and take steps toward actions,
Creating Daily Mental Health Habits
The structure of care is so important, however, daily habits might just be as important. Regular, small action can contribute so much to quality of life. Here are some general approaches:
- Mindfulness & meditation: Practising awareness techniques decrease stress and improve attention.
- Physical activity: Regular movement not only helps physical health, but also releases endorphins that enhance mood.
- Balanced nutrition: A diet including lots of whole foods supports both functioning in the brain and emotional stability.
- Quality sleep: Sufficient sleep improves cognitive ability, emotion regulation, and resilience.
- Connection: Maintaining social relationships provides emotional support and helps alleviate feelings of isolation.
Individual practices combined with access to professional support builds a base for holistic long-term wellbeing.
Making Sense of Professional Support
When thinking about professional help, individuals usually have questions about what services are most suitable for their situation. The options may include:
- Psychologists: Psychologists provide evidence-based therapies for a variety of concerns.
- Counsellors: Counselors provide direction, support, guidance or a strategy for managing more common life challenges.
- Psychiatrists: As doctors, psychiatrists can diagnose and manage more complex issues.
- Social Workers or Other Support Services: Support services may provide help in connecting to community resources or help deal with some of the social challenges.
With a referral, people may access sessions at little or no cost, making them more accessible and affordable.
Why Structured Plans are Effective
Structured approaches (like a mental health care plan) are effective because they eliminate the guesswork that can be overwhelming for the individual, providing a stepwise guided process, ensuring continuity of care. Actively engaging with a structured plan also builds accountability, ensuring that the individual follows through on their commitment, and that professionals are regularly assessing progress.
The end result of this ongoing approach is that individuals have better outcomes, improved strategies for coping, and an increased likelihood of continuous positive change.
The Future of Mental Health Support
Looking to the future, mental health care will become even more accessible. Developments or advancements in telehealth and digital therapy apps, along with community-based practices, are beginning to change the approach to mental health care as more people are becoming aware that it’s possible to access care digitally even if they live in remote areas, are unable to travel or get out and about, or even have difficulty getting to a session. Technology is also powerful in facilitating self-check assessments, progress tracking, reminders, and referral plans, among others.
Additionally, public discourse is changing. Mental health care involves communication and conversation, as society becomes more comfortable, workplace, school, or even media setting, we’re now starting to see changes in the narrative around mental wellbeing and care, stigma ultimately has a purpose seeking out support services becomes a step towards increasing the likelihood of positive change in individual lives, whether it be family, happiness or aspects of being healthy.
Closing Remarks
The importance of mental health in leading a more fulfilling life cannot be overstated, and luckily, there are many avenues to provide support in a manner that is affordable, structured, and accessible. Through professional advice and everyday practices, people have multiple ways available to them to build resilience and increase wellbeing. There are systems that support subsidizing care costs, structured care programs, and cultural competence that will lower the barriers for individuals to seek help.
By accepting early intervention, combining personal practices with professional support, and using newer technologies, we are moving toward a time when caring for wellbeing is more the mainstream practice. Everyone has the right to have access to advice to support them living in clarity, confidence, and with balance.