Mental Health Awareness
Mental Health Month (October 1st to 31st) is celebrated each year in the month of October.
This awareness month encourages people to think-about our Mental Health and well-being, regardless of whether we may have a lived experience of mental illness or not. It is time to start shining the light on this very real and very important topic and it is time to end the stigma attached to Mental Health.
So, the easiest and most succinct way to describe Mental Health is this;
Mental Health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.
Mental Health awareness means that we're not only acknowledging that Mental Health is important, but we're talking about it, it is 'putting it out there' so that people can get the help they need and feel heard, safe and supported.
Mental Health awareness increases the chances for early intervention, which can result in a fast recovery. Awareness reduces negative adjectives that have been set to describe our people with a mental illness. By raising awareness, Mental Health can now be seen as an illness.
The objectives of Mental Health Awareness Month are ;
promote Mental Health and increase public awareness of mental illness
develop and deliver Mental Health education programs to support Australians of all ages
allow engagement in activities aiming to promote a positive attitude towards Mental Health and the importance of a healthy lifestyle
provide support services, educational material and resources to Australians not only experiencing a Mental Health struggle but also their families, friends and anyone wanting to learn more about Mental Health
provide opportunities for raw discussion about the status of Mental Health services in Australia and what improvements are required
The stigma attached to mental illness is ever so slowly changing. People who embrace their Mental Health can inspire others to open up about their own experiences - don’t be embarrassed by your struggles – you did not choose this path. There is an actual reason why you are feeling this way (chemical imbalance, traumatic experience or even genetics).
Keep in mind however, each type of mental illness will have a different set of symptoms, but here are a few signs to look out for (either within yourself, or perhaps those around you).
Some examples of mental illness are:
excessive worry or fear
persistent sad or low moods
illogical or irrational thoughts
unexplained anger or irritability
poor concentration
hearing voices
increased/decreased sleep
changes in appetite
little to no motivation
withdrawal from day to day contact
drug use
feelings of worthlessness
suicidal thoughts
Remember, you are NOT ALONE - it's completely okay to admit you're not okay! Mental Health is treatable and with the right support and guidance.
For anyone in need of help and unsure of where to start, here are a few numbers for you to refer to;
Lifeline Australia - 13 11 14
Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800
MensLine Australia - 1300 78 99 78
Suicide Call Back Service - 1300 659 467
Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636
Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling - 1800 011 046
If you need support for an eating disorder, or as a carer of someone with an eating disorder, please call the below number
The Butterfly Foundation - 1800 33 4673
Help is also available through;
talking to someone you trust
contacting your GP, counsellor, psychologist or psychiatrist
talking to your Mental Health social worker
visiting your local hospital emergency department
I will leave you with this thought;
Awareness is the acceptance and understanding of something, in part or whole. According to Wikipedia; Awareness can also lead to you developing fewer stereotypes and making fewer generalisations about people who are different from yourself.
So let's all work together to #endthestigma #stopthestigma associated with Mental Health.
For more information on Mental Health, go to the below websites;