Mental Health Webinar by Psychologist Beth Masling: Grit- Strengthening the Mind and Body
As part of Veterans' Health Week 2024, Provocatus was proud to host an insightful webinar led by our Veteran Access Scheme™ psychologist, Beth Masling.
The session, titled "Grit: Strengthening the Mind and Body," focused on helping veterans develop practical skills to enhance their mental and physical resilience.
Getting to know Beth Masling
Beth Masling, a psychologist with over 20 years of experience in NSW Health, brings a unique perspective to her work with veterans.
Coming from a family of veterans, Beth is deeply passionate about helping clients understand their mental wellbeing and develop strategies to operate at their best.
Beth offered practical advice on how to become your own commanding officer (C.O.)—a term she used to inspire veterans to take charge of their mental and physical well-being.
Understanding grit
Grit, defined as perseverance and passion for long-term goals, was the focus of Beth's presentation.
Drawing on her connection to the veteran community, Beth explained how veterans can use grit to overcome personal and professional challenges.
She emphasised the importance of understanding how the mind works, or the ‘machine,’ and learning how to operate it for better mental health and well-being.
Beth shared inspiring stories of veterans using grit—through bush skills, mateship, and humour—to navigate tough times.
Her key message was that resilience isn’t just about pushing through but about finding balance and adapting to life's challenges.
Key Takeaways
The science of grit
Grit combines mental and physical resilience, which is essential for veterans adjusting to post-service life. The importance of understanding how stress impacts both body and mind was emphasised, along with how healthy habits can support long-term success.
Becoming your own C.O.
Veterans were encouraged to take charge of their health by building a solid routine, setting personal goals, and seeing challenges as opportunities for growth. A strong connection between physical activity and mental well-being was highlighted.
Dealing with overwhelm
Practical techniques for managing stress, such as "box breathing" and mindfulness practices, were shared. Veterans were also encouraged to practice gratitude to shift focus from stress to positivity.
The four pillars of resilience
A metaphor was used to illustrate the four key areas of resilience—physical, emotional, social, and mental—urging veterans to maintain balance across all areas for sustained well-being.
Handling setbacks
Setbacks were reframed as opportunities for growth. Veterans were encouraged to adopt the mindset that every challenge offers a chance to build strength and resilience.
At Provocatus, we are committed to supporting Australian veterans with both their mental and physical health.
Through events like this webinar, we provide practical tools that veterans can use to improve their well-being and stay connected to their community.
We extend a big thank you to Beth Masling for leading such an engaging and impactful session and to all those who participated.
Stay tuned for more upcoming events and webinars as part of our continued dedication to supporting veterans' health.
For more information on the Veteran Access Scheme contact us or call 1300 129 465.
