Mental Health

Good mental health is when:

• You can work and study to your full potential
• You actively connect and participate with family, friends and your community
• You undertake enjoyable activities
• You are coping with everyday stressors, and
• You are able to bounce back reasonably quickly from unexpected challenges and changes

Feeling down, stressed, anxious, frustrated, sad and angry are all normal emotions. However, if these kinds of feelings persist for long periods of time and start to influence how you think and your ability to function in your life, your mental health may need some attention.

A number of overlapping factors increase your risk of developing mental health issues. These can include:

• Early life experiences: People have different histories and experiences that impact on how they function in their current life
• Personal characteristics: Each person thinks, feels, and copes differently, particularly when faced with challenges and change
• Current circumstances: Everyone has different stressors impacting on them at any one time, including family, work, study, personal, health and financial issues. An accumulation of stressors or an unexpected challenge can increase your need for additional support.
• Biological factors: Genetics and family history can be important in determining a person’s predisposition to mental health issues.

If you feel that your mental health is getting in the way of your daily life, it is important to get support and ask for help.

• Refer to the JCU Safety and Wellbeing website for help in a crisis
• Refer to the Mental Health and Wellness webpage
• Make an appointment with a JCU Counsellor
• You can also access our information sheets for guidance on a variety of student challenges and other options for seeking help