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Health and Wellness NEW
Family Mental Health Check-in
DR VALERIE DRUON is a family physician at Osler Health. She offers advice on protecting your family’s mental health.
Since the pandemic, we’ve seen a marked increase in patients seeking support for mental health, many for the first time. We’re also seeing an increase in teenagers and children in the clinic, with parents concerned about their mental wellbeing.
What do we mean by mental health?
Mental health relates to your emotional and mental wellbeing. Mental health problems are common but treatable.
When should I seek support for anxiety?
High anxiety can impact your daily activities, work performance, and relationships, causing self-doubt and affecting your self esteem. You may experience difficulties relaxing, shallow breathing, increased
How do I know if I’m heart rate, sweating, feeling a little down or discomfort in your am depressed? chest and stomach,
You may be depressed if you inability to focus and have more than two weeks of concentrate, sleep low mood, poor motivation, issues, and change in difficulties with initiating appetite and sex drive. activities, disturbed sleep and Anxiety can worsen appetite, and the inability to chronic conditions enjoy pleasurable activities. like asthma, eczema,
It can be hard to identify the or blood pressure. border between feeling a bit Activities that would flat and mental illness – reach normally help you to out to your doctor who can relax, no longer work. guide you. If this sounds like you,
A doctor will review: please seek support. Duration and severity of symptoms I think my Physical signs partner may be Impact on day-to-day depressed – what functioning can I do? Effects on others An open discussion in a non-judgmental and supportive manner is the first step. It’s important to find time to listen to your partner and give them an opportunity to express their feelings. Empathy goes a long way.
SOME THINGS TO SAY:
“I’m here if you want to talk.” “You’re not alone.” “There is a way to recover from this.”
THINGS NOT TO SAY:
“Pull yourself together.” “Go and get some help.” “Cheer up.”
Since the pandemic, 4 in 10
Suggest they see a friendly doctor and offer to go with them for support.
What else can I do to protect my family’s mental health?
adults have reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, excessive stress, Maintain a healthy lifestyle with excess alcohol good sleep, regular exercise, consumption and nutritional balance, moderation smoking. with alcohol and quit smoking. Limit your exposure to negative press and schedule regular time to check in on each other.
Remember:
Finding sources of help in a foreign country can be challenging - ask for help! Be mindful of your own mental wellbeing, while being there for others.
HOW CAN A GP HELP?
We see patients all the time who are suffering with mental health challenges. We are here to help and have the knowledge and resources. Call us on +65 6339 2727
