Mentality Plus | Businesses

Mentality Plus

Add/Update information

Reviews

Tags

• Businesses
• Education

25.01.2022 BE PREPARED TO BE INSPIRED... I often talk about the importance of taking control of our own situation during times of adversity and the following story of this... dear friend of mine is a perfect example. I'm honoured that he is allowing me to share it with you. Grant Slender is 41 and lives around the corner from me at Marks Point. He was born with a brain disease called Cerebellar Ataxia, a serious disease that effects co-ordination, balance, speech and many other motor functions. The disease wasn’t recognised in Grant until age 11 when it was noticed how often he fell while running between wickets at cricket. For Grant the disease gradually progressed over time eventually leading to full wheelchair dependency by age 28, a few years after breaking his leg in a stair fall (typical of Grant this happened while moving aside to let an elderly lady past him ). In his twenties Grant developed significant problems with anxiety including a fear of crowds, of trying anything new and of going out (from fear of not knowing if disabled toilet facilities etc would be available). He didn’t tell anyone and battled through. By age 35 he commenced a TAFE course in sign writing and while that was a positive step it led him to notice how much his friends were doing with their lives that he was missing out on. Depression soon set in alongside anxiety leaving Grant feeling down all the time and often irritable. To help cope with depression Grant ate a lot (a common strategy known as comfort eating) which led to problem weight gain and his family became really worried about him. They moved from Rooty Hill, Sydney to Lake Macquarie in 2017 for an improved quality of life. The real turning point for Grant occurred when his mum Cheryl was diagnosed with cancer shortly after moving to Marks Point. Cheryl’s cancer was out of Grants control but what he could control was easing her battle by turning his own life around. Remembering a mate who had used exercise to recover from depression Grant decided to join a gym. Finding a gym that is a good personal fit can be difficult and after trying a few Grant rolled into Anytime Fitness, Belmont. He was warmly welcomed and knew immediately he had found the launching pad from which to change his life. With the help of his dad Steve, neighbours Bob and Di and various friends, with grim determination Grant turned up to the gym three days weekly. Under the guidance of his personal trainer Judie, Grant trained hard and also moved to a healthy diet. That was a year ago. Today Grant continues to train hard including weekly sessions with his amazing PT instructors Judie Osborne (manager), Tash Brydon and Susan Northey. He continually smashes his PB’s, eats healthy and has lost 17 kilograms...so far! Through exercise, by getting out and making new friends, by connecting and gaining a sense of purpose Grant has now also beaten depression. He did all this by taking responsibility for his situation and taking back control. Adding to this beautiful story Grants mum Cheryl has also beaten her cancer! Grant is everybody’s favourite at the gym and he is the perfect role model for others battling adversity. He is sharing his story to give hope for recovery to those battling mental health problems. His tips? Get help. Be around people you trust who will help and be supportive. Get active, have a healthy lifestyle and learn mindful breathing exercises. Grant.you are a true hero and I’m proud to call you my mate. Thanks for sharing.

23.01.2022 MENTALITY PLUS & TEX RACING I'm really proud as a Dad to be a sponsor of my son's drag racing team through my company Mentality Plus. Last night he broke his be...st track time even with 105kgs of ME in the passenger seat. Never been on a drag strip before but I'll never forget it (neither will my ear drums). Great stuff mate and thanks for your support of my work in mental health See more

21.01.2022 Ross draws on his real-life experience in leadership and management to empower others through our programs. Ross has 25 years

16.01.2022 A great example of working towards a positive change in workplace culture. The NSW Police Force and NSW Police Association are rolling out much needed mental health and resilience training to serving Police. Congratulations on a fantastic initiative. This photo was taken at Coffs Harbour Police Station during their recent mental health training. I popped in to talk about `Backup for Life'.

15.01.2022 A NICE STORY FROM THE DROUGHT I've just returned from another Uniting 'Pamper day' event for drought affected farmers in central west NSW. This one was held in... Coolah on the Black Stump Way. I rode my bike this time which gave me an appreciation of the dryness plus the smoke and dust thrown in on top. Current situation out there? CRITICAL! But devastation and adversity has a habit of bringing people together, particularly in rural communities. Uniting followed up their amazing work at Hermidale and Carinda by bringing together therapists and other wellbeing providers from larger regional centres to provide some relief for those doing it tough around Coolah. Men and women from the land and town were able to access massage therapy, a hairdresser, yoga/meditation, beauticians and other services normally out of reach through distance or financial hardship. The day was followed by an evening event, attended by 130 people, fully catered at which I was once again privileged to speak. At one point I wandered outside the main shed and when I looked back I saw a community brought together under one roof. A community sharing some respite. A community sharing stories, jokes, beautiful food and cold beers. I was so touched I took a photo which I have shared here. Well done Nat, Catherine and team for another amazing event. Your kindness was appreciated by so many.

11.01.2022 VIRGIN AUSTRALIA AND MENTALITY PLUS - EMPOWERING LEADERS Last week concluded a huge collaboration between Virgin Australia and Mentality Plus Pty Limited. Over the past 11 months 19 Mental Health First Aid courses have been delivered to over 300 VA leaders and Care Crew all over Australia! A big thankyou to Virgin Australia for engaging me to deliver this vital training and supporting small business. Special thanks to Liv, Kat, Anna and Bronny from VA Health and Wellbeing... for your support, you really made me feel part of your team. Also special thanks to Shannon Nolan, a dear friend who has been on this journey with me since I started with the Black Dog Institute as a volunteer 5 years ago...you are the best. If any business or organisation is interested in mental health training please contact me through [email protected]

07.01.2022 Launching `Mentality Plus Training & Development'!! After nearly three years travelling the country delivering mental health education for the Black Dog Institute as a `Volunteer', I've finally gone `pro'. It's amazing reallly. Upon my medical retirement from the NSW Police Force five years ago, and for a few years after, I was convinced that no job could ever fill me with the same sense of `purpose' and `satisfaction' that I had as a cop.... Thats all changed now. I've discovered a new career that I am equally passionate about. It's a career that provides me with a huge amount of satisfaction and it is so worthwhile. And it didnt just fall in my lap. No, I had to take a big leap of faith delivering that first mental health talk at Woolgoolga High School in 2015. Then last year, after talking to over 5,000 students, teachers, farmers, emergency services and community groups, I reached the point where I was ready to take another leap of faith. I considered the fact that on many occasions as a volunteer I had been approached by people in the audiences who would say things like, "You should come out and speak at our coal mine. They need to hear this" or "Can you come and talk with our hospital staff?". And so, given my experiences working in emergency services it was obvious that there are workplaces in ALL industries who are crying out for mental health and resilience training. So thats what I have decided to provide. After starting my own business last year I teamed up with a fantastic Newcastle based Registered Training Organisation, `Forsythes' and I'm also delivering workplace training for the Black Dog Institute.....(plus I still work in schools as a volunteer). So, if you are interested in mental health, wellbeing and resilience I invite you to follow my facebook page and check out the website. Take care. Craig

07.01.2022 THE END OF THIS FINANCIAL YEAR IS APPROACHING.... Can you believe it....aleady? If your organisation is under budget and considering spending maybe you could suggest investment in the most important asset....it's `people'. ... Research on `Return on Investment' (ROI) suggests every $1 spent on actions toward mentally healthier workplaces results in a $2.30 return. This is achieved through reductions in sick leave, presenteeism, workers compensation and increases in productivity. One of the most important actions an organisation can take is educating it's workforce about mental health and wellbeing. Interested?? Check out the 1 hour and 3 hour workshops on offer from Mentality Plus on our website. Two day `Mental Health First Aid' courses are also on offer (dates for Coffs Harbour and Newcastle will be announced shortly).