Top library resources for R U OK?Day
Today is R U OK?Day, and it’s a great reminder to check in with your friends and family. With everything happening in 2020, we can all use the reminder to look after our mental health. If you can, make time to have a chat with a family member or friend today. It doesn’t have to be serious or formal – there are lots of ways to ask, R U OK?
If you or someone you love needs more professional help or resources:
- call Lifeline at 13 11 14
- check out Deakin’s wellbeing and counselling services
- read the blog on looking after your mental health during the COVID‑19 situation
- sign up for the Mental Health First Aid training on 22 September.
If you’re looking for library resources that can help you improve your focus and mental health, here are some recommendations from our collection. We’ve included summary excerpts by the publisher.
Jump to streaming videos
Books
Mindfulness pocketbook: little exercises for a calmer life by Gill Hasson
Experts increasingly recognise that developing mindfulness skills is an effective way to improve performance, reduce stress, enhance emotional intelligence, increase life satisfaction, and develop leadership skills. A mindful person consciously brings awareness to the here-and-now with openness, interest, and receptiveness. Mindfulness Pocketbook 2nd Edition is the take-with-you guide to receptive, constructive thinking. Being mindful opens you up to new ideas and fresh ways of doing things, reducing stress and increasing your enjoyment in life.
Maybe you should talk to someone by Lori Gottlieb
Ever wonder what your therapist is really thinking? Now you can find out … Meet Lori Gottlieb, an insightful and compassionate therapist whose clients present with all kinds of problems. There’s the struggling new parents; the older woman who feels she has nothing to live for; the self-destructive young alcoholic; and the terminally ill 35-year-old newlywed. And there’s John, a narcissistic television producer, who frankly just seems to be a bit of a jerk. Over the course of a year, they all make progress. But Gottlieb is not just a therapist — she’s also a patient who’s on a journey of her own. Interspersed with the stories of her clients are her own therapy sessions, as Gottlieb goes in search of the hidden roots of a devastating and life-changing event.
The antidote: happiness for people who can’t stand positive thinking by Oliver Burkeman
In an approach that turns decades of self-help advice on its head, Oliver Burkeman explains why positive thinking serves only to make us more miserable, and why ‘getting motivated’ can exacerbate procrastination. Comparing the personal philosophies of dozens of ‘happy’ people – among them philosophers and experimental psychologists, Buddhists and terrorism experts, New Age dreamers and hard-headed business consultants – Burkeman uncovers some common ground. They all believe that there is an alternative ‘negative path’ to happiness and success that involves coming face-to-face with, even embracing, precisely the things we spend our lives trying to avoid.
Mindfulness for life by Stephen McKenzie and Craig Hassed
Described simply, mindfulness is the art of directing our attention to ‘what is’ (reality) rather than ‘what isn’t’ (our ideas of reality). With a little practice, anyone can do it, and the benefits are profound. Written by two experts with many years of personal and clinical experience, ‘Mindfulness for life’ is designed to be your complete guide to living a more mindful life. Only a few minutes a day can start to change your life.
Streaming videos
Source: Kanopy, Inc.
Kanopy has a huge range of films and TV series exploring the topic of mental health. If you’re looking for something to watch on a specific issue, browse the Mental Health category and watch using your Deakin credentials.
An outstanding series on dealing with depression, coping with loss and acceptance of self. You’ll benefit from the encouraging messages, beautiful imagery, soothing narratives and comforting music.
A fun and educational journey showcasing the worldwide brain research proving the benefits of mindfulness and the public’s increasing awareness and acceptance of the practice. The movie celebrates those who have reshaped mindfulness into everyday, practical skills. Neuroscientists now tell us that the practice of mindfulness literally changes the brain in positive ways. And it’s as simple as paying attention! Throughout the film, we encounter inspiring people and ideas on how changing the way we see can change our lives.
Building your resilience: finding meaning in adversity
Research shows we thrive when we embrace problems, confident that we’re resilient enough to work through them. In ‘Building your resilience: finding meaning in adversity’, you’ll learn how to create greater resilience. Whether you’re a trauma survivor or someone who is simply reaching for a more fulfilling and joyful life, your life will be enriched when you proactively increase your resilience.
Download the Kanopy Suicide Prevention Day Guide for more recommendations