Invisible Injuries- Mental health ambassadors

S03 - Dealing with unwelcome thoughts 5

October 22, 2021

kangaroo trying to escape an out of control fire in the outback with message in text

"Changing the mindset"

"Changing the mindset" is a useful technique with a person who has a fixed belief about a situation. Before changing the (fixed) mind-set, it's important to "loosen the negative thinking around the edges". This means sowing seeds of doubt about its validity; highlighting strengths, abilities and resources in them as a person; and, if possible, flagging up how some of these were used in the situation.

Once the edges of the negative thinking have been loosened sufficiently the following types of statements can be made as appropriate:

"You did the best you could under the circumstances"
"You were simply doing your job"
"You had to think and act quickly.

Sometimes in instances such as these, mistakes are made" "With things that can happen, for which we feel responsible, we can pay back in some way by doing good for others. What might you do, if you were so inclined?"

"You can either look at your injuries as "the end of the world" or you can decide how you can live life to the full, despite them."

For best results “horses for courses” applies. Some might find one tool or technique helpful, others will experiment with another that proves helpful. All are available to try and it’s often about finding “what works” for you.

🖨 reprinted with permission @johnhendenauthor
@wiley-publishing @beatingcombatstress