oday 10th October is World Mental Health Day, a day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy. An initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health to raise public awareness of mental health issues worldwide. Today around the world, people will be raising awareness and trying to make a difference in everyone’s mental health and wellbeing.
1 IN 5 AUSTRALIANS ARE AFFECTED BY MENTAL ILLNESS, YET MANY DON’T SEEK HELP BECAUSE OF STIGMA.
The Do You See What I See? promotion is being run by Mental Health Australia. It challenges perceptions about mental illness in Australia and encourages everyone to look at mental health in a more positive light, in an effort to reduce stigma and make way for more people to seek the help and support they deserve.
WE CAN ALL DO SOMETHING TO HELP SHED A MORE POSITIVE LIGHT ON MENTAL HEALTH.
At home, at work, with family and friends, or in the wider community, we can all do something to help reduce stigma around mental illness and make way for more people to seek the help and support. It’s important to think about what you could do to help your colleagues, friends and family. See beyond the stigma and make mental health more visible by making a #MentalHealthPromise. Check out 1010.org.au if you want to make a promise for yourself.
What specifically can we do to help at work?
This is the easy bit actually! Check-in on your workmates, particularly if they seem “out of sorts”. It might seem cliched, but just noticing and asking “are you all right? You don’t seem yourself. Want to grab a coffee?” can make such a such a difference to a person who is losing perspective. Don’t be frightened if they reveal their distress – there is plenty you can still do then. You can listen and lend a shoulder, and if you feel like the situation requires more, you can direct them to professional resources.
If you or someone around you needs help, our EAP program is available or call Lifeline on 13 11 14 for24/7 crisis support.
Some other resources include:
Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 for anxiety, depression and suicide prevention.
Headspace on 1800 650 890 – free and confidential online and phone counselling to young people 12-25 years old.
Sane Australia on 1800 187 263 – Mental health advice, referral and support from Mon – Fri, 10am to 10pm.
MyCompass – a free online self-help program for people with mild to moderate depression, anxiety and stress.
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