HEALTH MATTERS
Mental Health Continuum Model Equipment only works properly when it’s well maintained. CFA’s Fire Equipment Maintenance team (FEM) ensures fire equipment in the community is serviced and ready to respond at a moment’s notice. They do this through regular visits to complete checklists and provide certificates of service. This can also be applied to the most important part of our roles at CFA – our mental wellness. The World Health Report (2001) states, “Mental health is a state of wellbeing when an individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to contribute to his or her community”. The Mental Health Continuum, shown below, allows us to check in on ourselves. How is our self-maintenance going? Are we looking after ourselves physically, emotionally, mentally and socially so that we can respond at a moment’s notice? The continuum is colour coded – green (healthy), yellow (reacting), orange (injured), and red (ill) – and is a quick check-in to allow
someone to identify how they are at that moment. Everyone sits on the continuum. Some days we will be in the green area and other days we can find ourselves in the yellow, orange or red areas. This is OK. If you find yourself in the orange area, check out the action ideas to help get back into the green. The actions are the ways that we can ‘service’ our mental health. They are tools to help you be at your best psychologically for the important work you do at CFA. The Mental Health Continuum Model is a part of The Working Mind First Responders training course that Organisational Wellbeing runs for CFA. The goals of the program are to: • reduce stigma and negative attitudes towards those struggling with poor mental health • improve resilience • promote healthy mental health and wellness • recognise the stresses that move us along the continuum • give people the tools, resources and confidence to support people (and themselves) and help us to move towards the healthy end of the continuum. If you’re interested in attending The Working Mind First Responders training, talk to a member of your brigade management team, your line manager or contact the CFA Wellbeing Support Line (1800 959 232) and choose option four to speak with a member of the Organisational Wellbeing Team. We are running online and face-to-face courses until the end of October. STORY CATHY SOSOLI
MENTAL HEALTH CONTINUUM MODEL HEALTHY
• Normal fluctuations in mood • Normal sleep patterns • Physically well, full of energy • Consistent performance • Socially active
REACTING
• Nervousness, irritability, sadness • T rouble sleeping • Tired/low energy, muscle tension, headaches • Procrastination •D ecreased social activity
INJURED
• Anxiety, anger, pervasive sadness, hopelessness • Restless or disturbed sleep • Fatigue, aches and pains • Decreased performance, presenteeism • Social avoidance or withdrawal
ILL
• Excessive anxiety, easily enraged, depressed mood • Unable to fall or stay asleep • Exhaustion, physical Illness • Unable to perform duties, absenteeism • Isolation, avoiding social events
Actions to take at each phase of the continuum • Focus on task at hand • Break problems into manageable chunks • Identify and nurture support systems • Maintain healthy lifestyle
• Recognise limits •G et adequate rest, food, and exercise • Engage in healthy coping strategies • Identify and minimise stressors
• Identify and understand own signs or distress • Talk with someone • Seek help • Seek social support instead of withdrawing
• Seek consultation as needed • Follow health care provider recommendation • Regain physical and mental health
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