How do I know that I need to seek help for my Mental Health?
When you find it difficult to cope and/or live life in a fulfilling way coupled with distress for a prolonger period of time and it is clearly different from your usual self you should consider seeking professional help for your Mental Health.
What is the difference between psychiatrist, psychologist and counsellor?
A psychiatrist is an M.B.B.S. qualified doctor with specialisation in Psychiatry at post-graduation level (e.g.: M.D., D.P.M, D.N.B or their foreign equivalents) and he/she/they can prescribe medication for psychiatric illnesses.
Psychologist is someone who has done a post-graduation in Psychology and uses tests and therapeutic methods to treat psychological problems.
A counsellor is someone who has been trained in counselling methods and helps people manage their personal problems.
Do I have to take medication for my Mental Health condition? Is it addictive?
Depending on the nature, duration and severity of condition, you may or may not be prescribed medication.
Psychiatric medication is not addictive in nature. However, just like long term intake of any medication for physical illnesses (e.g.: blood pressure, blood sugar medicines) may have an impact on the body, the same is the case with psychiatric medicines. Do not take any psychiatric medications without consulting and under the supervision of a trained and licensed professional.
Are Mental Health conditions treatable?
Mental Health conditions can be treated with the right combination of psychotherapy and/or medication. It is possible to heal from the condition and resume one’s natural course of life.
What is the Mental Health Ambassador program?
It is a program that gives people the skills to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. It helps build mental health literacy, helping the public identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness. For more information, please contact us.
What does a Mental Health Ambassador do?
A Mental Health Ambassador is someone who has been trained and has the knowledge and skills to support someone struggling with their mental health or in crisis. They are able to spot the signs of a range of mental illnesses and support the person to get the help they need, using a clear and defined step by step process.
Who can enrol for the Mental Health Ambassador training? Do I need to be a Mental Health professional to enrol?
Anyone above the age of 18 years can enrol for the Mental Health Ambassador training program. You don’t need to be professional to enrol - you just need to have an interest in Mental Health and a keenness to learn and help people.
What is the Suicide Interventionist training?
The Suicide Interventionist training focuses on suicide prevention and intervention for a general community audience such as parents, volunteers, businesses, or civic groups. It equips individuals with the skills to recognise possible suicides and steps to help someone in a crisis.
Who can enrol for the Suicide Interventionist training? Do I need to be a Mental Health professional to enrol?
Anyone above the age of 18 years can enrol for the Suicide Interventionist training program. You don’t need to be professional to enrol - you just need to have an interest in Mental Health and Suicide Prevention along with a keenness to learn and help people.
Do I need to have any skills before taking the Mental Health Ambassador or Suicide Interventionist program?
You do not need any skills or training before taking either program. It teaches participants to recognize the signs that a person may be developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis and how to provide initial help and guide the person to appropriate professional resources. It has been carefully designed to be accessible and helpful for everyone, regardless of their background.
Do I need to share my personal experiences during the training program?
Not necessarily. You are participating to educate yourself in mental health. The instructors will encourage interaction and opinion sharing among group members to enhance the learning process. You are welcome to share your experience in case you feel comfortable to do so. The Instructor and participants, by agreeing to participate in the course, respect the confidentiality and differences of opinion among members.
Does completing the Mental Health Ambassador program qualify me to be a Mental Health professional and/or provide therapy or counselling?
No. Completing the Mental Health Ambassador program doesn’t qualify you to be a Mental Health professional and/or provide therapy or counselling. It simply implies that you are trained in what to do during a Mental Health crisis as the first point of contact till the person is directed to the appropriate professional help.
Do you guarantee the privacy of my information?
Absolutely! We will never to use your details or anything you say without getting your permission first. At the end of our programs, you will be asked to write your feedback and you can choose whether you want this information to stay confidential or not. To know more, you can read our Privacy Policy.
How does life coaching work?
Life Coaching focuses on exactly what you want to achieve and gets you there faster. We go through life constantly busy ‘doing things’, but very rarely do we stop and consider our future, and where we want to be. By having a Life Coach you are able to do just that, with the aid of a coach who is 100% dedicated to you and your future. Your coach will listen, encourage, support and motivate you. The Life Coach is able to keep you focussed and, through their experience and expertise, you will be able to identify options available to you, that you may not have ever considered.
What is the difference between life coaching and counselling?
Counselling is a past-focused discipline, in which the counsellor identifies the reasons for the person’s feelings and behaviours and offers ways to handle a particular issue.
In life coaching, coaches do not dwell on the reasons which hold someone back, because they want to avoid this negative outcome. Instead, they focus on the future, because no matter what has happened in the past, any person can make it better and learn to achieve, grow and be happy.
What does a typical life coaching session look like?
A typical life coaching session involves working out the goals for the session with the coach, reviewing progress and re-looking at long term goals together. Your coach will help you get around the obstacles or challenges you are dealing with by working through a solution with you.
How long does a typical coaching session last?
Coaching sessions last approximately 50 minutes. These sessions can be weekly, fortnightly or monthly as mutually decided by you and your coach keeping your goals and timelines in mind.
What will I have to do through the coaching process?
To get the best from Life Coaching, you need have a positive attitude towards the achievement of your goal. You need to be totally open, trusting and honest within the coaching relationship. You need to have the time and commitment to complete the actions that you will set yourself at the end of each session. These actions are what will move you closer to your overall goal. Ultimately your level of commitment will directly influence the speed and extent to which your goals will be realised. To help you with all of this, the coach provides boundless motivation, support and encouragement within a confidential and non-judgemental environment.
What are the benefits of Life Coaching?
The main benefit of Life Coaching are having someone that is solely dedicated to you and the achievement of your goals. Your coach is non-judgemental, supportive, encouraging and motivating just when you need it. They keep you focussed on where you want to be and moving forward in the right direction. They will enable you to get to where you want to be in life, much faster than you could on your own.
What do I do if I need urgent Mental Health support?
Should you need urgent Mental Health support we recommend you get in touch with a helpline in your country or the emergency services. More details can be found in our Resources section.