“For me, mental health relates to the mind as physical health relates to the body, they are just as important. We all sit on a mental health scale, some towards illness, some towards the other end of having a healthy mind and this can change frequently for some people. We need to remember that mental illness is not separate from mental health, there is one scale and we are all on it together.” – Jenny Hurley
Jenny Hurley, Ripstone’s Head of People, talks us through one of her favourite mental health models.
Until relatively recently the term ‘mental health’ only ever seemed to be used in reference to mental illness.
It was seen as a catchall container for wide-ranging difficulties and thinking disorders; with ‘mental health’ services and interventions existing primarily to address problems.
Fortunately, this is starting to change. A more rounded view is emerging; one that recognises that as well as poor mental health, there is also positive mental health.
This is a huge step forward. Jen’s simple mental health model encourages us to see positive mental health and mental illness as not being mutually exclusive, but rather a single continuum along which we all will fluctuate during our lives.
There are numerous reasons to consider positive mental health and mental illness as a sliding scale, as opposed to separate conditions and issues:
Mental health is not an all-or-nothing proposition: Mental health is not something that we either have or do not have. Rather, it is a state of wellbeing that will change throughout our lives. In fact, aspects of our mental wellbeing, such as mood, confidence and self-esteem can oscillate along this spectrum day to day and moment by moment. Simply knowing this can help us weather hard times, appreciate subtle shifts and map out practical steps to improve our own wellbeing.
Reducing stigma: Though the tides are starting to turn, there’s still a long way to go. Viewing mental health and mental illness as a continuum can help reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and, in turn, encourage more conversation about both. By recognising that everyone is on the same continuum, we break down the barriers that separate people with mental health problems from those without. This can create a more inclusive and accepting society, where people feel more comfortable seeking help when they need it.
“I am immensely proud of the work we have done so far at Ripstone. We offer impactful and genuine support for those across the company who may be finding things difficult both professionally and personally. Our employees now have access to a wide range of options whether it’s attending one of our support groups, having some professional counselling or perhaps a 1-to-1 meeting with our resident psychology coach. Alongside this, we are taking various proactive steps to encourage and promote positive mental health. Working across the full spectrum within the company ensures everybody is cared for and supported, this is vitally important to us.” – Jenny Hurley
Each week in May we’ll be sharing a new mental health model from the Ripstone team. Keep an eye out for them on the website! Have your own model? Let us know how it helps you make sense of it all on the Ripstone socials.