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Self-assess your mental health

This table is a tool that can help you self-assess your mental health. It is important to remember that good mental health and physical health are vital for us to feel wholly healthy.

The Psychological Health Barometer allows us to take our psychological vital signs at a glance and answer the question: What are the signs to look out for to prevent overwork? It is normal for our state to fluctuate, the important thing is to see where the majority of our “psychological vital signs” are and try to return to the green zone. Signs of distress are neither abnormal nor a sign of weakness but a signal to listen to. So don't hesitate to seek professional support as soon as you reach the orange zone.

CERN psychologists

If you are going through a phase where you feel the need to take stock or explore options with a professional, whether for private or professional reasons, CERN’s Medical Service provides members of personnel (MPE and MPA) the help of two psychologists.

• Katia S. is available on Mondays and Tuesdays (all day) and on Wednesdays (afternoon only)
• Sébastien T. is available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (all day) and Thursdays (morning only)

They offer you primary care psychological consultations free of charge, in English or French, provided in a space where you will be listened to and get support, in complete confidentiality.

In the framework of their mandate, these psychologists can:

• guide you, give advice,
• present you with tools to better manage a given situation,
• refer you to a suitable practitioner, if necessary.

You can make an appointment with a CERN psychologist via e-mail at psychologist.medical.service@cern.ch.

Resources for your everyday mental health

Below are a range of short techniques, which can be performed anywhere, to help you reduce your stress levels and promote a sense of calm and focus. To perform them, find a quiet space and sit comfortably with your feet flat on the floor.

Cardiac Coherence Exercise

The following video has been developed with the CERN psychologists as a quick and effective tool to promote relaxation, by synchronising your breathing and heart rate into a regular pattern. It can be watched as many times as you wish, either when you need to relax or as part of a regular practice.

Additional Techniques

The CERN medical service demonstrate a range of other techniques which are known to reduce stress and promote wellbeing. You can try them all, or choose the one which best suits you.