When you are thriving emotionally you feel content, your outlook is positive and you are able to work through stressful situations and emotionally challenging events.

Did you know?

The use of antidepressants has doubled in The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries between 2000 and 2015 with Australia having the second highest level of consumption in the world (OECD 2017).

The Facts

The World Happiness Report looked at changes in happiness from 2005-2008 to 2016-2018 using three rankings: Life Evaluation, Positive Affect comprises (average frequency of happiness, laughter and enjoyment on the previous day) and Negative Affect (average frequency of worry, sadness and anger on the previous day.²

• The main areas that were found to influence wellbeing included income, healthy life expectancy, social support, freedom, trust and generosity - you don’t have to be wealthy to be happy.
• Life Evaluation has been dropping since 2009, largely due to increasing negative effect.

Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease.⁴

• More than 300 million people are now living with depression, which increased more than 18% between 2005 and 2015.⁴
• Suicide is the second leading cause of death in 15-29 year-olds..

Stress has been called the “health epidemic of the 21st century” by the World Health Organization...

What can we do about it

Food affects your mood - Eat healthier to be and feel better.

---

Move more to boost your mood and reduce your odds of depression by 45% (PAGAC 2008).

---

Get regular sunlight to stop the blues.

---

Get adequate rest.

---

Control and avoid stress.

• Rhythmic deep breathing; mindfulness; prayer/meditation; a weekly sabbath rest.

---

Think and Speak positively.

---

Socialise.

---