Phone: (03) 343-3391 Fax: (03) 343-293429
Yaldhurst Road, Sockburn, Christchurch
PO Box 6088, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch 8442
Loneliness and solitude are excellent examples of emotional states that are often misunderstood, yet deeply affect our well-being.
In today’s interconnected, media-saturated world, many people feel like they're living in a time of chaos. War zones dominate headlines. Violent crimes, mass shootings, political instability, economic uncertainty, and climate-related disasters bombard us through screens. Even within our communities, increases in family violence, substance abuse, and social fragmentation further fuel a sense of danger and instability.
Petersgate doesn’t just provide counselling services for mental health. Our counsellors also focus on the person's physical health, their social health and their spiritual health. That's because we recognise that well-being is not simply the absence of illness but a balanced and interconnected state across multiple aspects of a person’s life.
Research and observations have consistently shown that women and men approach seeking emotional or practical support for mental health challenges in distinctly different ways.
For many, Christmas is a time of joy, togetherness, and celebration. Yet, beneath the festive decorations and cheerful gatherings, this season can be one of the most stressful periods of the year, with a range of stressors that can intensify mental health challenges. From financial strain to social expectations, holiday stress can lead to feelings of overwhelm, anxiety, and even depression. Recognizing these stressors and understanding ways to manage them can help preserve mental well-being through the holiday season.
Contrary to popular belief, age alone is not a determinant of poor mental health. While it's true that certain mental health conditions become more prevalent with age, such as dementia and depression, they are not synonymous with aging itself. Numerous factors contribute to mental health outcomes in older adults, including biological, psychological, and social factors.
The temperatures are dropping, and the days are getting shorter and shorter. This is the time many of us start grappling with the winter blues. The change in seasons can have a profound effect on our mental health, leading to feelings of fatigue, low mood, and even seasonal affective disorder (SAD). With the right strategies and mindset however, it's possible to prepare your mental health for winter and emerge from the colder months feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Everyone has mental health in the same way that everyone has physical health. Sometimes, our physical health is good. Sometimes, we notice slight aches and pains, a pinched nerve, a small cut, a random bruise. At times, we may have more significant physical issues, following an accident or the diagnoses of an illness. Much of the time we can share our physical issues freely with others, “My back is killing me this week” “I have no idea where this bruise came from” “I have a splitting headache; do you have any paracetamol?”.
Here at Petersgate Counselling Centre we hear many different excuses for why clients cancel their appointments. “I have to work”, “I can’t afford it”, “I’m on holiday”, “My cat is sick”. Whatever the stated reason, the real underlying message is that the person does not consider counselling to be that important. They shouldn’t then be surprised if they think that their counselling is not that helpful, or they do not notice any difference in their life. The person is also saying that they don’t believe that their own mental well-being is a priority.
Are you feeling irritable or moody, forgetting little things, and feeling overwhelmed and isolated? Don't worry. We've all been there. You're probably just stressed out. Stress isn't always a bad thing. It can be handy for a burst of extra energy and focus, like when you're playing a competitive sport, or must speak in public. But when its continuous, the kind most of us face day in and day out, it begins to change your brain. Chronic stress, like being overworked or having arguments at home, can affect brain size, its structure, and how it functions, right down to the level of your genes.
Here’s my logic.