How do the major parties prioritise mental health? This article looks at the approaches of the two major parties towards mental health as we near the 2019 Federal Election.
Category: Geelong Advertiser Articles
Chris Mackey’s articles appear regularly in the Geelong Advertiser newspaper in Geelong, Australia.
That’s the Spirit
Acknowledging a spiritual dimension to life is something that is important to many people, even those who don’t identify religious. This article examines the relationship between spirituality and well-being and reminds us that it’s important to celebrate our own private or public acknowledgement of our beliefs.
Know Thyself
The conviction of Cardinal Pell for serious sexual crimes against children is starkly confronting. This article explores the idea of a shadow side and how one can mislead those around them as to the nature of their true character. If we can deceive ourselves by playing down or disowning our less attractive characteristics, we can… Read more »
Healthy Minds
Recognising ADHD helps to not only understand the difficulties associated with it, which can be quite disruptive, but also to appreciate its advantages.
Don’t Give Up
Last year, the suicide rate in Australia increased by 9%. This article emphasises that regardless of how much someone may be struggling, suicide is never the answer as it is always possible to recover from depressive episodes.
Strength in You
Strength in You Could a simple half-hour exercise help you flourish? This article makes the case for taking the character strengths survey in order to improve your sense of self-worth and well-being. The character strengths survey is available through the VIA Institute on character and takes roughly 15 minutes to complete. You will then be… Read more »
Perfect Storm
This article describes observations surrounding an increase in existential depression amongst bright, creative and resourceful young men in their early years of adulthood.
Breaking Point
How much of our current mental health crisis is related to a breakdown in social connection? This article examines the work of Dr Hugh Mackay, a psychologist and prominent social researcher, who sought to answer this question in a recent book: Australia Reimagined: Towards a more compassionate, less anxious society.
Sorry is a Start
Following the national apologies delivered by Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten in parliament, this article discusses the positive impact that these apologies may have in the context of the invalidation that someone feels if they experience sexual abuse.
A Calming Voice
As a psychologist, when you hear your clients’ deeply personal stories over many years, you learn that often their most profound experiences often have a numinous or sacred quality. This article explores the role of numinous or sacred experiences in someone’s recovery from mental health problems.