Category Wellbeing

Lucinda Brogden AM, Chair of the National Mental Health Commission mentioned in a Northern Beach Webinar that mental health discussion should be lead by the community. We are more comfortable talking to our friends than someone on the phone. Although the social workers on the various mental health organisations are well trained I believe we need to be able to help our friends, co-workers and family. We need to make sure we check on the people within our community to see how they are travelling.

I was very fortunate this week in attending a Webinar conducted by Kirsten Peterson a sport and performance psychologist who discussed self-compassion. Kirsten better known as KP referred to Dr Kristin Neff’s work in self-compassion skills in daily life.

What is Self-Compassion? We find it easy to sit a comfort our family, friends, work mates and others. But when it comes to ourselves, we easy criticise ourselves and believe we don’t need/deserve the same understanding we show to others. Self-Compassion is just that. Being kind to ourselves.

We all make mistakes but instead of being hard on ourselves maybe we should be gentle. Yes we need to acknowledge our mistakes and make amends if required but we should forgive ourselves. Yes definitely, we need to learn from our mistakes and become better people though it.

If we can practice Self-Compassion, I believe is can only but help us with our mental health.