Tips for good mental health
Do activities
![Person making a choice](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/choice_0.png?itok=_GaSPDPB)
You can stay healthy and feel well by doing activities.
You can do activities
![Doing an activity alone](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/activity%20alone%20.png?itok=VHauVywS)
- Alone
![Group of people playing a game together](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/games.png?itok=IDMLGIHQ)
- With other people
![Medal](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Medal.png?itok=PgoHr3E4)
Doing activities can make you feel like you have achieved things.
![Person thinking](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Job%20Think%201.png?itok=tb_Uyneo)
Doing activities helps you not focus on negative feelings or things going on around you.
![Person volunteering](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/volunteering%20.png?itok=KzggHRLx)
Doing activities can also give you a sense of meaning.
A sense of meaning gives us a feeling of
- Being part of something
- That life is useful and valuable
![Happy person](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/purpose.png?itok=_IzzVeLx)
Below are some examples of activities you can do.
![Group of people doing exercise](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Exercise.png?itok=Kll_54ZM)
You can find go to social events that interest you.
There are many community groups that offer social outings and activities.
![Person using the internet](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Claim%20Online.png?itok=nNIw0kYt)
For more information about community groups go to
- Disability Trust https://www.disabilitytrust.org.
au/services-and-support/
making-friends-social-groups-and-outings
- Gig Buddies https://www.gigbuddiessydney.
org/
![Support group](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/support%20group%20.png?itok=cczIX9uJ)
You can also join a group where you can communicate to others.
For example One Door Mental Health support groups.
For more information about One Door Mental Health support groups go to https://www.onedoor.org.au/
![Family](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/family%20harmony%20.png?itok=rK0lVo-u)
Stay in contact with your family and friends if that will help you.
To stay in contact you might
- Call your family
- Visit your family
- Ask them to visit you
![Listen to music to relax](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/music%20.png?itok=fDOqOQ10)
You can use relaxation techniques.
To help you relax you can use apps such as Smiling Mind.
For more information about Smiling mind go to https://www.smilingmind.com.au/
smiling-mind-app
![In park with friends](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/in%20nature%20.png?itok=0y69WAyQ)
You can exercise and be in nature.
![Different activities](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Activities.png?itok=vEnPJ1Sy)
Some other activities include
- Hobbies
- Games
- Activities you enjoy
![Healthy food](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Healthy%20Food%20.png?itok=LB3KvGm2)
Finding healthy foods you enjoy to have a balanced diet.
![Person playing the piano](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Play%20Piano.png?itok=quzHo4C_)
You can spend time on hobbies.
![Person with a suitcase](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/holiday%20.png?itok=gjyDYXNa)
You can take trips away.
There are groups that can help you with trips.
For example Trusted Travel.
For more information about Trusted Travel go to https://www.trustedtravel.org.au/
Have a sense of meaning
![Man smiling](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Good%20mental%20health.png?itok=PTm_rhWt)
People who have a sense of meaning
- Are better able to cope in difficult times
- Have better wellbeing
![Happy person](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/purpose.png?itok=_IzzVeLx)
Below are some examples of things you can do to have a sense of meaning.
![Garbage bin](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Litter%20bin.png?itok=bC4FcfNX)
You can get involved in community projects.
For example beach clean-up day.
![Meeting at a job centre](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Job%20Centre%20Meeting.png?itok=gkKKV50F)
You can find a job.
![Person volunteering](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/volunteering%20.png?itok=KzggHRLx)
You can volunteer if appropriate.
When you volunteer you give your time to help an organisation.
![Person using the internet](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Claim%20Online.png?itok=nNIw0kYt)
For more information about who you can volunteer with go to
- Disability Gateway https://www.disabilitygateway.
gov.au/employment
- The Centre for Volunteering https://www.volunteering.com.au/join-us/inclusive-volunteering-pathways-to-employment-program/
![Speaking up](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Advocate%20Independent_0.png?itok=PKbgzbRT)
You can advocate for yourself or others.
To advocate is you or someone else doing things so that your rights and needs are met.
![Book with the word Rules printed in black text. Under the word are two boxes. In the left box is a green tick, in the right box is a red cross.](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/rights_0.png?itok=HD_xw1hR)
Rights are rules about how everybody should be treated fairly.
A right is something everyone has.
![Person in an office](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Office%20Work.png?itok=iy0796IC)
For more information about how you can advocate for yourself or others go to https://www.idmhconnect.health/
about-advocacy/ER
![Person using a computer](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Computer%202.png?itok=2cfHZn25)
You can also do things that can increase your skills.
![Strong person](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/stronger%20.png?itok=gBrXlmwY)
You can take note of
- Your strengths and when you do things that use them
- Things that have gone well
![Person with goals](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Goals.png?itok=Y0pMSxH4)
To set goals can help you to have a sense of meaning.
![Man laughing](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Happy.png?itok=DMgCo6SD)
All of the above suggested activities can help you to have positive emotions.
Positive emotions
- Make you feel good
- Benefit different areas of your life
![Group of people](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Group.png?itok=aWuXHMg7)
What people find positive is different for everybody.
![On time](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/time.png?itok=Jf0vzMTb)
It is important to take time to find out what is positive for you.
![Listen to music to relax](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/music%20.png?itok=fDOqOQ10)
You can find time to be relaxed.
For example you can listen to music.
![Person making a choice](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/choice_0.png?itok=_GaSPDPB)
You can find a place to keep things that make you happy that you can go to often.
![Person with goals](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Goals.png?itok=Y0pMSxH4)
You can set goals for the future.
![Person thinking](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Think1.png?itok=-xDHSb04)
You can take time to reflect when things go well.
![Screen capture of the Wordlist on the Intellectual Disability Mental Health Connect website.](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Wordlist.png?itok=nAL2D_c3)
There are some tricky words on this Easy Read page.
For more information about these words go to
https://www.idmhconnect.health/word-list