Mental Health

At one point or another, we all question whether or not we are doing enough or doing the right thing. Self-doubt is common; self-doubt is normal; self-doubt might even serve a useful purpose…at certain times and in certain contexts. According to mental health professional, Dr. Happy, "Our goal should not necessarily be to stop self-doubt but rather, to minimise it and/or to use if effectively and constructively. We certainly don’t want doubt to paralyse or to cripple us, but we do want to find ways we can use it to our advantage." So how might we achieve this? Check out Dr. Happy's top 10 tips for turning self-doubt in to self-confidence.

Did you know that one in five Australians will experience an episode of mental illness in any one year? According to mental health professional, Dr. Happy, "Too many people still don’t seek help because they’re afraid of being judged; because of the perceived shame and embarrassment associated with being labelled. With this in mind, Mental Health Australia has adopted a theme that aims to tackle some of this head on – and it’s great. Their “Do you see what I see?” campaign targets the overly negative images of mental ill-health by inviting everyone to view mental illness from a different perspective; the perspective of someone suffering OR the perspective of someone coping and functioning well! In this article, Dr. Happy encourages us all to make an effort to see mental ill-health in a more positive light and also invites us to “Make a (mental health) Promise”. Click through to the article to read his advice. 

Did you know eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia are on the rise in children and adolescents? According to mental health professional, Dr. Happy, "Body dissatisfaction and/or some degree of dieting is extremely common in young women (and increasingly in young men). But not all of these have or will ever have a formal eating disorder so two common and important questions from parents and friends are – how do I know when “normal” becomes “abnormal”? And what do I do if I notice any warning signs?" With this in mind, we chatted to Dr. Happy to get his advice on everything you need to know about eating disorders. Including the red flags to look out for and what to do if you spot any of the symptoms.