Looking beyond Mental Health Awareness Month
Across October each year we say, ‘Look after your mental health, Australia’.
Mental Health Australia’s annual World Mental Health Day campaign reminds each one of us how important it is to look after our own mental health throughout the year and offers an opportunity to reiterate our commitment to support those who may be struggling.
World Mental Health Day on October 10 is a global day to raise awareness for positive mental health and wellbeing, promote connections and belonging, and reduce stigma around mental illness.
The response to this year’s campaign has been exceptional, and I am humbled by the collective effort to raise awareness about mental health issues.
Our free digital Mental Health Month Calendar reached over 2 million people across the country. We were also proud to partner with Gayaa Dhuwi on a version of the Mental Health Month Calendar for First Nations peoples.
On social media we have been sharing a series of good mental health social media reels featuring Mental Health Australia staff and representatives from our member organisations such as Butterfly Foundation, Relationships Australia and more. I joined in with Mental Health Australia Chair Matt Berriman to talk about what gets me in a good head space. These short videos so far have had a combined reach of over half a million views.
Despite the reach of our awareness campaign, World Mental Health Day is just one day of the year, and our mission extends far beyond October. The momentum we build during this month is not meant to dwindle once the calendar turns to 1 November. Mental health isn’t a one-time event, but an ongoing journey that requires consistent effort.
As part of the campaign, we launched the Mapping Mental Health Care research project with the National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling (NATSEM) in October. The data highlights that many people who are more likely to experience high psychological distress and mental health conditions have less access to the services and supports they require.
The findings underscore a concerning pattern of inequity and show that beyond this month – and the actions that we can individually take to look after our mental health – there is still a lot of work to do to advocate for mental health reform, equal access to services, and addressing the underlying drivers of distress.
Major demographics that were identified in our mapping research project as having greater levels of need, and less access to services, include people living regionally and remotely, younger people, people on low incomes, people who are unemployed, and people in single-parent households.
If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health concerns, Mental Health Australia has a dedicated support page where you can find valuable resources and guidance. Visit https://mhaustralia.org/need-help to access a range of resources, including links to helplines, online communities, and information about professional services.
While our campaign in October allows us to spread these messages far and wide, we want to remind everyone that these practices should be part of our daily lives, not just during a designated month. Good mental health is an ongoing journey.
Have a good weekend,
Carolyn Nikoloski
CEO, Mental Health Australia
| 
