Good mental health (‘social and emotional wellbeing’) is important for your wellbeing and resilience and will help you perform effectively in your role as a lifesaver.
Mental ill-health can result from relationship issues and life stressors, such as work-related stress or a critical incident, and may affect your capacity to manage your day-to-day life to the best of your ability. It is not always visible, and a person may experience significant mental health consequences including social isolation, loss of relationships, unemployment, homelessness, financial stress or discrimination and possible diagnosed mental health issues.
In addition to critical incident support, Surf Life Saving promotes many preventive factors that can help you maintain good mental health such as positive relationships, physical activity and a good diet, feeling connected to community and culture, and having a sense of purpose.
SLS members should communicate positively about good mental health as well as mental health problems, which can affect people of all ages and backgrounds.