Mental Health Week and World Mental Health Day is a good time to reflect and focus on our mental health and wellbeing.
10 October is World Mental Health Day.
In Australia, over two in five people experience a mental health condition at some point in their life. World Mental Health Day encourages us to raise awareness of mental health, take a proactive approach to maintaining our own mental health, and reach out for help when we need it.
This year, the theme is Meaningful Connections Matter: Connections with loved ones, connections with community, connections with colleagues, connections to supports and services, connections to Country, and connections to yourself.
Visit the Mental Health Australia website to hear from twelve advocates with lived experience of mental ill-health. They share how meaningful connections have supported them in their mental health journeys.
New South Wales: WayAhead acknowledges Mental Health Month this October with the theme, “Let’s Talk About It.” They are encouraging everyone to take a moment to reflect on their mental health and wellbeing, whether or not they have personally encountered mental illness. Learn more by visiting the WayAhead Mental Health Month website.
Northern Territory: NT Mental Health Week invites us to think about our mental health and wellbeing, regardless of whether we may have a lived experience of mental illness or not and encourages us to seek help. This year’s theme, “Celebrating Our Strengths”, calls for reflection on the aspects of our lives and communities that we are proud of that keep our mental health, wellbeing, and our spirit strong. Visit the NT Mental Health Week website for more information.
Queensland: Queensland’s Mental Health Week theme is “Connect for Mental Health”, which highlights how we can nurture and support positive mental health and wellbeing for ourselves and our community. The focus is on four areas: Connect with Self, Connect with Others, Connect with Community, and Connect with Nature. For more information, visit the Queensland Mental Health Week website.
South Australia: The theme for South Australia’s Mental Health Month is “It’s time to talk about mental health”. By starting conversations about mental health, we can reduce stigma and make it easier for people to seek support. This theme also highlights the importance of early intervention when mental health challenges arise. Visit the South Australia Mental Health Month website for more information.
Tasmania: In Tasmania, the theme for Mental Health Week is “Appreciate the little things”. Sharing a smile with a stranger, hearing your favourite song on the radio…What are the things that give you a glimmer of calm on a busy day? The small moments that wouldn’t make the news, but make you feel good? Like having coffee with an old friend or listening to birds singing in the trees… This Mental Health Week, take a moment to appreciate the little things. Visit the Mental Health Council of Tasmania website for more information.
Western Australia: WA Mental Health Week is focusing on “Empowering communities, thriving workforces: A journey towards investing in our mental health”. The campaign highlights real stories of lived experience, helping communities empower themselves, and showing that mental health is about thriving, not just surviving. Visit the Mental Health Week website for more information.
If you are struggling with your mental health, give MensLine Australia a call. Our counsellors are here 24/7 and the service is free.
Call us on 1300 78 99 78 or click on the floating chat button on the right for online counselling.
If it is an emergency, call 000.
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