Mental Health Literacy (MHL): Empowering You with Knowledge
Hello!
Welcome to the latest edition of Psyche Insights! This month, we’re focusing on Mental Health Literacy (MHL)—a powerful tool that helps individuals and organisations understand mental health, reduce stigma, and create a more informed and compassionate society.
Our Monthly Highlights...
🎥Upcoming Webinar: Mental Health Literacy: Global Experts – Join us Thursday, 27 February at 6pm, for a live discussion on why MHL matters and how you can implement it in your daily life.
🎥 Webinar: "New Year, New Goals" - Catch up on the recording.
📱Feature of the Month: Word Play on the Psyche: Mental Health App – Strengthen your mental health vocabulary in a fun and interactive way!
💡 Workshop Spotlight: Mental Health Literacy Training – Learn how to foster supportive environments for mental well-being. Psychological First Aid - Stay updated with our latest PFA course! Join Dr Daniel Page to gain essential skills for providing compassionate support during crises. Learn more about our workshops here
Stellenbosch University - Maties Gym: Joins Psyche Innovations
We are thrilled to welcome Stellenbosch Maties Gym as one of our newest customers! As a forward-thinking institution dedicated to holistic wellness, Maties Gym is taking proactive steps to enhance mental health awareness and build essential psychological competencies. To achieve this, they are engaging in all three of Psyche Innovations' workshops, along with TouchPoint sessions, to foster a mentally resilient and thriving gym community.
A Comprehensive Approach to Mental Health Training
Through these workshops, Maties Gym aims to equip its team with the skills to support members more effectively, foster psychological resilience, and promote a culture of mental well-being. Here’s a breakdown of their learning journey:
Psychological Skills Workshop: Strengthens self-awareness, resilience, and confidence-building through techniques like self-reflection, stress management, and goal-setting. Learn more
Psychological First Aid Workshop: Equips staff with vital skills to support individuals in distress after traumatic events, creating a more compassionate environment. Learn more
Mental Health Literacy Workshop: Provides foundational knowledge on mental health, reducing stigma and ensuring a supportive gym community. Learn more
These workshops will be reinforced by TouchPoint sessions, ensuring that the skills learned are consistently applied and integrated into the gym’s wellness initiatives.
Why This Matters
By prioritising mental health education, Maties Gym is setting a new benchmark for holistic wellness in the fitness industry. With this collaboration, they are creating a space where both physical and mental well-being are valued equally—empowering members to not only train their bodies but also strengthen their minds.
We commend Maties Gym for this initiative and look forward to seeing the positive impact unfold! If you're interested in bringing mental health training to your team, explore our workshops here.
Upcoming Webinar - 27th February 2025 at 6 pm
Mental Health Literacy: Global Experts
Presented by Daniel Thomas Page, Heinrich Grobbelaar, Janja Usenik, Jolan Kegelaers, & Mattias Dooms.
As part of an international research project, funded by the International Olympic Committee, the team developed a workshop to enhance Mental Health Literacy (MHL) in sports. This initiative aligned with the global movement to prioritise mental well-being among athletes, coaches, and sports professionals, ensuring they had the knowledge and tools to recognise, manage, and support mental health challenges.
Join us for an engaging webinar with global experts in mental health literacy, who developed and implemented an MHL intervention across South Africa, Belgium, and Slovenia.
We’ll explore:
✅ What MHL is and why it matters
✅ How MHL training supports sport, workplace, and education sectors
✅ The role of MHL in breaking stigma and encouraging help-seeking
✅ Practical strategies to manage mental well-being and support others
✅ The future of MHL—why it must be integrated into key sectors
This interactive session is designed for HR professionals, sports organisations, educators, and employers looking to embed mental health literacy into their organisations. Gain world-class insights and tools from leading experts.
👉 Interested in bringing MHL training to your organisation? Learn more about our evidence-based interventions here: Psyche Innovations MHL Training
Mental Health Literacy: The Key to Thriving
Mental health plays a crucial role in our overall well-being, yet it is often overlooked. Many of us know how to care for our physical health—exercise, nutrition, and sleep—but what about our mental well-being?
This is where mental health literacy comes in. It’s the ability to understand, manage, and improve mental health. When we build mental health literacy, we gain the tools to support ourselves and others, breaking the stigma and fostering stronger communities.
So, Why Does Mental Health Literacy Matter?
When we understand mental health better, we can:
Recognise signs of stress and anxiety in ourselves and others.
Understand our emotions and develop strategies to manage them.
Know where to seek support and explore available treatment options.
Break stigma by making mental health conversations a normal part of life.
Take proactive steps to maintain well-being and prevent mental health struggles.
Mental health literacy isn’t just about knowing mental health conditions exist, it’s about learning how to nurture our well-being every day.
Who is MHL For? How Does Mental Health Literacy Shape Environments?
Mental health literacy doesn’t just impact individuals, it shapes the world around us.
In education: Students who understand mental well-being build resilience and develop healthier coping mechanisms. Schools that prioritise mental health education create supportive learning environments.
In workplaces: Companies that prioritise employee mental health experience higher productivity, lower burnout, and better team collaboration. Providing mental health resources and fostering an open culture benefits everyone.
In communities: When communities promote mental health awareness, people feel more connected, supported, and empowered to seek help. Open conversations strengthen social bonds and well-being.
Your Mental Health Matters! Whether it’s checking in to talk to a friend, practising self-care, or learning a new psychological skill, every small step counts.
Psyche - Mental Health Literacy Workshop
Just like any skill, mental health literacy (MHL) can be developed through learning and practice. The Psyche Innovations MHL Workshop provides an interactive and structured approach to mastering these skills, ensuring participants gain practical knowledge that can be applied in their personal and professional lives. Here’s how you can actively build your MHL:
1. Learn the Language of Mental Health
🧠 In the Mental Health Literacy Workshop, participants explore essential mental health terminology, ensuring they can communicate effectively about well-being in their workplaces and communities.
✅ Tip: Take just 5 minutes a day to strengthen your knowledge! The Psyche: Mental Health app makes this easy with Word Play, an engaging feature where you learn new mental health terms through a daily interactive challenge.
2. Educate Yourself with Trusted Resources
📚 The workshop provides expert-led education on identifying misinformation, understanding mental health myths, and accessing trustworthy resources. There’s a lot of misinformation out there, so choosing reliable sources is crucial. Look for reputable organisations, books by mental health professionals, and evidence-based training like our Mental Health Literacy Workshop, which was designed to provide accurate, research-backed knowledge.
3. Have Open Conversations
💬 Through role-playing activities and guided discussions, workshop participants practise having open and supportive mental health conversations, equipping them with skills to break stigma and promote help-seeking behaviours.
👥 Action Step: Talking about mental health helps normalise it. Whether in your workplace, at home, or within your social circle, fostering discussions about emotional well-being encourages a more supportive environment.
4. Practise Self-Reflection
🔎 The Self-Reflection module in the Mental Health Literacy Workshop encouraged participants to examine their own mental well-being, fostering a deeper understanding of their personal triggers, coping strategies, and emotional patterns.
Building MHL isn’t just about learning facts—it’s about applying them to your own life. Ask yourself:
How do I handle stress?
What mental health habits work best for me?
Do I recognise when I need support?
📝 Try It Yourself: Use the Psyche: Mental Health app’s guided reflections to track your mental health journey.
5. Know When and Where to Seek Help
🆘 The final session of the MHL Workshop coveres how to identify signs that professional support is needed, where to seek appropriate care, and how to connect others to the right resources. Part of mental health literacy is knowing that it’s okay to ask for help.
📲 Need support? The Psyche: Mental Health app connects you to trusted mental health resources when you need them most.
Take the Next Step in Mental Health Literacy
The Psyche Innovations Mental Health Literacy Workshop offered a comprehensive, research-backed approach to developing MHL. If you’re looking to bring MHL training to your organisation, learn more about our evidence-based interventions here.
By integrating learning, conversation, self-reflection, and help-seeking behaviours, you can build a strong foundation in mental health literacy, ensuring both personal and professional mental well-being.
Mental Health Literacy: How It Helps You
Can improving my mental health literacy help with my personal growth? Absolutely! When we understand our emotions better, we make more confident decisions, set meaningful goals, and handle challenges with resilience. Growth starts with self-awareness, and mental health literacy is the foundation for it.
Can improving mental health literacy help my relationships? Yes, understanding emotions, developing active listening skills, and recognising signs of distress in others can strengthen communication and relationships.
What are some quick daily habits that improve mental well-being? Simple habits can have a big impact. Practising gratitude by writing down three good things each day helps shift focus to the positive. Taking short mindful breaks, even just a few minutes of deep breathing, can boost relaxation and mental clarity. Celebrating small wins keeps motivation high, while regular physical activity enhances mood and focus.
How can I make learning about mental health fun and engaging? Exploring interactive apps like Psyche: Mental Health, listening to podcasts, watching educational videos, or engaging in group discussions can make learning more enjoyable. Journaling is also a great way to reflect on emotions and personal growth while reinforcing what you’ve learned.
How can I encourage mental health discussions in my environment? Normalising mental health conversations starts with leading by example. Sharing personal experiences can inspire others to open up. Supporting mental health initiatives, attending local events, or using social media to share valuable insights can also help spread awareness and spark meaningful conversations.
Word Play on the Psyche App
Mental health literacy starts with understanding the language of mental health. That’s why we’re featuring Word Play—a fun and interactive way to expand your knowledge.
🔹 Daily Word Challenge – Test your understanding of mental health terms.
🔹 Quick & Engaging – Play in just a few minutes a day.
🔹 Gamified Learning – Reinforce knowledge in an enjoyable way.
Whether you're new to mental health education or looking to sharpen your expertise, Word Play makes learning simple. Try it today on the Psyche: Mental Health app!
Thank you for reading this edition of Psyche Insights!
See you next time,
Psyche Innovations
Download Psyche: Mental Health and find us on social media!
Interested in Psyche: Mental Health for your company?
Contact Dr Daniel Page, CEO, for more information at daniel@psycheinnovations.com
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