Front Cover Lead Article and Inside This Issue

Men’s Health Peer Education Magazine Vol. 14 No. 1 March/April 2015 – The Creativity & Inspiration issue

Front cover lead article and Inside this issue

Lead article

Quiet please, genius at work….YES, YOU!

Creative people are long-haired, eccentric bohemians who slowly starve while churning out mastlerpieces of music, art or literature. Or super-nerds who rocket to fame and fortune by designing the galactanet or a new app. They are different from the rest of us.

So we thought, until the magic of neuroscience (who created that??) teaches us not only that there is a bit of genius in all of us, but that it is good to get him or her out of the bottle and start creating.

Inside this issue

How to get creative

Think a creative brain is something people are born with? Not strictly true. There are ways to improve your creative thinking without resorting to a brain transplant (not that this surgery exists anyway). Here are seven things you can do to be more creative…

Mental Wellbeing – Think outside the box to get out of the forest

To someone deep in the forest of mental illness, the world can seem a pretty small and closed in place; and a guide to help find the way out can be important. It can be frightening in the forest and when your guide isn’t there, the temptation to hunker down and wait can be strong.

There is life after the army

There IS life after the military. Don’t just sit on the couch, letting your circumstances control your life in a negative way. Chin up! Use the skills you learnt during your military service – just use them in a different way to fit in with civilian ways, accept the help and resources offered by organisations like DVA and move on with your civilian life. Be inspired. Read Roy Mellon’s story on life after the Army.

Also in this issue: Mulberry Harbour, Two men and a guitar, Anzac Centenary Facebook photo app, VVCS Poppy Competition, Positive Psychology and much, much more.

Wanted MHPE Volunteers! Turn to page 32 for information on the MHPE programme.

Editorial

Welcome to the creativity and inspiration issue.

When we think about our health and wellbeing, we usually focus on the physical and mental aspects. We tell ourselves that we need to exercise more, eat well and maintain meaningful social connections. However, how many of us think we should be creative at least once a week. Unless you’re the “creative type” you probably don’t even think this is important or necessary. But research is showing that there is a health benefit if we make the time to use our imagination.

Why do we stop being creative? Well, isn’t it something you do when you’re growing up, and then you get on with the serious part of life, like earning an income and raising a family? Maybe, but it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. It’s wonderful to watch kids being creative: their focus and joy; not worrying about what other people are thinking; or being concerned that what they’re doing isn’t good enough. As adults we become more self-conscious and self-critical. Perhaps if we thought differently about what it means to be creative, more of us would do it.

You may have noticed the picture of Brian Thorpe and Richard Kirkman on the back of the November magazine last year. This picture was taken at a MHPE recall training day, and as Richard says in his article: two blokes and two guitars, in total harmony. We also profile the VVCS Poppy Competition, the Anzac Centenary Facebook photo app and the Victorian Story Writing & Art competition. Thank you to all our contributors for sharing their stories.

The other theme for this issue is inspiration. I’m sure that most of us have been inspired by some person or thing, and that this experience has filled us with the urge or ability to do or feel something. In this issue we profile Roy Mellon, and his inspirational story of how he turned his life around after being medically discharged from the Army. Chris Clarke shares with us the story of Ilse Weber and her inspirational and selfless act of shepherding a group of children when they were sent to the gas chambers.

Being inspired by someone or something, can encourage us to make changes to our life, and to place greater value upon it. You may have a family member or friend who has done, or is doing, something to improve their health and wellbeing. Congratulate them on their achievement, and talk to them about how they did it. To help you along your way, we’ve included an article on goal-setting, and its importance in achieving the desired outcome.

We hope this issue inspires you to welcome back and nurture your creative self.

MHPE Magazine Editorial Committee Membership

Naomi Mulcahy DVA (Editor)

Dr Warren Harrex, DVA Senior Medical Adviser

Mariusz Kalinowski DVA

Michael Correll VVCS

Chris Jones DVA

Dr Justin Harding DVA

Quiet please, genius at work....YES, YOU!

“But, I'm not creative!”

Creative people are long-haired, eccentric bohemians who slowly starve while churning out masterpieces of music, art or literature. Or super-nerds who rocket to fame and fortune by designing the galactanet or a new app. They are different from the rest of us.

So we thought, until the magic of neuroscience (who created that??) teaches us not only that there is a bit of genius in all of us, but that it is good to get him or her out of the bottle and start creating. Ruth Richards and a team from Harvard invented the notion of Everyday Creativity - new ways of doing ordinary things. Others have pointed out that new ideas have survival value. Our ancient ancestors saw knives, clubs and fish-hooks in behemoth bones, and drew the details on the walls of their houses. In our world of warp-speed technovations we find new ways to pay our bills, cook dinner and communicate. Every email, text or tweet is a unique creation, and tomorrow we will have to do it differently.

But not every novel idea is creative. Wearing your pants upside down or cooking frog's legs in chocky sauce may be new and different, but it is silly rather than scintillating. Everyday creativity combines innovation and usefulness, and the need for this combination is what makes creative activity so good for us. So good indeed that some researchers have shown that it can have similar benefits as heavy exercise for our health, happiness and even survival!

How come? Readers may recall earlier magazine articles describing the “whole of brain” explosion of “happiness hormones” (dopamines) which we get from exercise, black chocolate, sex, and heavy metal (or Bach). These chemical surges help keep our brains fit, and can delay the dreaded dementia. Well, finding an outlet for our creativity has very much the same benefit, because it involves many different parts of our brain. The new idea or flash of inspiration is based on a lifetime of remembered facts and feelings. Then, even before we can shout “Eureka” those spoil-sports up in the front of the brain- the pre-frontal cortex- check it all out to see whether it is moral, legal, embarrassing and might actually work. There is a massive team effort from nearly every part of our brain, both conscious and unconscious.

Yes, inventive people seem to stay younger, but people who deliberately set out to practise creativity can have the same good feelings. All of us have particular interests and different mental skills and we can all find something that attracts us and set out to explore it. Carpentry, cooking and conservation are just as legitimate as sculptures, symphonies and psycho-dramas. Learning or recommencing to play a musical instrument or singing, possibly has a special place as this uses so many brain functions simultaneously.

What can I do? Remembering any events which led to a moment of ‘it works!' or 'I did it!' is a good place to start. Or activities or hobbies which you really enjoy. How about getting into these and letting yourself wonder about doing some of these things better, or just differently. You don't have to astound the world or even your mates at the first attempt, but you may be indeed astounded at where you end up. Go on, have a crack. There's nothing to lose but your Nobel Prize.

Dr Tony Ireland

DVA Medical Adviser

What is the meaning of life? The meaning of life is…

Unfortunately you won’t find the answer to that question in this article, but perhaps part of the answer is hidden in the question, meaning.

The field of ‘positive psychology’ focusses on wellbeing and happiness. It’s not about being positive all the time, it’s about being able to get the most out of life and experiencing enjoyment despite the inevitable set backs. Scientific research in positive psychology has found that individuals can maximise their sense of wellbeing and enjoyment of life by adopting strategies that help you to fill your days with meaning, pleasure and engagement.

It may be more fulfilling to engage in activities that involve positive relationships with other people and enable you to experience a sense of accomplishment. For example, engagement may involve identifying what your strengths are and undertaking activities that challenge you and enable you to utilise your strengths in the pursuit of a goal. When you’re truly engaged in an activity you may get into the ‘flow’. Finding opportunities to engage in activities that enable you to experience flow (where you feel happy, creative and immersed in what you’re doing) is extremely beneficial for mental wellbeing. When you’re engaged and in the flow, time stops and it feels remarkable.

Being mindful of the present moment and savouring pleasurable experiences can help improve feelings of wellbeing. If we look at it from a happiness perspective, there are many strategies for enhancing pleasurable moments. These can include taking pride in your achievements, sharing the story about a valuable moment in your life with others and allowing yourself to become absorbed in those pleasurable moments. When you are in the moment, take mental photographs to refer back to and block out other senses while you savour the experience, for example, closing your eyes as you enjoy a cold drink of water after good exercise session.

So, back to meaning, doing things in your life that have some meaning to you doesn’t have to be as grand a challenge as discovering the meaning of life. In fact, finding meaning can take the form of simple activities that help you to improve your connections with others and wellbeing. Take the time to thank people who have helped you in your life at different points in time, keep an ongoing record of the things that you’re grateful for no matter how small they are; doing this is an opportunity to get creative about your approach to happiness, health and wellbeing and inspire others to do the same. For example, if you plan to do kind things for people and seriously consider forgiving those who have wronged you, you’ll end up doing yourself a world of good in the process. Do things that help you to find meaning, whatever that looks like for you.

Taking the time to reflect on the things that you value and therefore prioritise can help you to find meaning. Visit for more information on positive psychology and useful links to books, research papers and resources from this field.

Dimitri Batras

DVA National Health Promotion Adviser

Mental wellbeing – Think outside the box to get out of the forest

To someone deep in the forest of mental illness, the world can seem a pretty small and closed-in place; and a guide to help find the way out is important. It can be frightening in the forest when your guide isn’t there. The temptation to hunker down and wait can be strong. The guides – doctors, psychologists and other health professionals – are important to finding the way out of the woods, and the tools they use to treat depression, anxiety, PTSD and other mental health challenges can be life changing and life saving. However, with a little lateral thinking, there is more the canny woodsman can do to help him or herself when the guide isn’t there.

The psychological therapies and medications that mental health professionals employ as treatments for mental illnesses are strongly based on evidence of their effectiveness, and are increasingly effective as treatments are researched and refined. However, reliance only on medications or psychotherapies is unlikely to lead to the most rapid recovery.

The evidence is growing that thinking creatively about lifestyle and activity changes can make a big difference to both feelings of wellbeing and speed of recovery. Take some time to think about doing something different – it may be something completely new or it may be an ‘old friend’ that you have not engaged with for a while.

The Australian National University’s National Institute for Mental Health Research (NIMHR) has looked at a wide range of lifestyle activities and alternative treatments, and has identified the ones that are most likely to make a difference to mental wellbeing. The big ticket item is exercise – being active. The NIMHR cites evidence that physical exercise helps in relation to depression, generalised anxiety and panic disorders.

Any sort of exercise will be beneficial, but if you have any health concerns you would be wise to check with your doctor that the exercise you have in mind is safe for you. Options might include walking, jogging, running, riding, swimming, gym sessions or anything else that appeals to you. The NIMHR includes yoga as a “promising treatment for depression” and light therapy (exposure to bright light for around two hours a day) as “one of the best treatments for winter (seasonal) depression”.

The NIMHR also lists a number of alternative treatments with sufficient evidence to cautiously recommend, including acupuncture and relaxation therapy for depression and acupuncture, dance and movement and meditation for anxiety. If you have a diagnosed mental health condition, you should mention alternative therapies you are thinking about or undertaking to you doctor, to ensure these can be incorporated as “adjunct” therapies as part of a treatment plan.

The Mayo Clinic also endorses the value of lifestyle changes in supporting treatments for anxiety and recommends physical activity, alcohol avoidance, caffeine avoidance, relaxation techniques and healthy eating and sleeping.

Another key tool that may assist is social connections. If you feel alone, join a support group, an ESO, a walking group, a craft or activity group, or simply take time to visit family or friends on a regular basis.

There are good reasons to think outside the box and engage in new activities that may help you get to the edge of the mental illness forest faster. A little creative thinking can make a big difference to the success of treatment and can also enhance your mental and general wellbeing when you are well.

If you are seeking information or assistance for a mental health issue, contact your GP or the Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) on 1800 011 046.

Anzac Centenary Facebook photo app

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Anzac Centenary Facebook photo app is now available for the uploading of commemorative images to ensure the commemoration over the Anzac Centenary period is captured and shared with people around the world.

The app enables you to upload photos of commemorative events around the world and will show all uploaded images on a world map, to give a sense of the geographical spread and diversity of commemoration. The app also enables you to share, like and comment on photos.

This app will provide a lasting legacy after the four year Anzac Centenary period by ensuring significant commemorative events can be shared for generations to come.

The app can be used on smart phones, tablets and desktop computers and can be accessed at

Visit the app to keep up to date on how others are sharing in the spirit of the Anzac Centenary, and share your special memories with others.

The Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) Poppy Competition

The VVCS Poppy Competition encourages the online community to create their own representation / interpretation of a poppy, as a sign of respect to the fallen men and women of Australian warfare. The first Poppy Competition was held last year attracting 32 entries. The poppy was represented in a variety of forms including paintings, patchwork, embroidery and tattoos – all of which demonstrated a respect for the symbolism of the poppy.

Entries were displayed in an online album on the VVCS Facebook page, and the community was invited to vote for their favourite, via “likes” to the picture.