October is Mental Health Month in Australia – a time to shine a light on mental health and wellbeing in a bid to reduce stigma, spark converstions and help people get the assistance and support they need.

According to Mental Health Australia, 1 in 5 Australians are affected by mental illness annually, yet many don’t seek help because of stigma.

We know that many of the young people seeking treatment for drug and alcohol addiction have experienced mental health conditions (both diagnosed and undiagnosed). It is often the stigma surrounding these conditions that stop young people and their families from reaching out for the help they desperately need.

World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year, with the objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilising commuity, political and policy action to raise awarenes and drive action to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.

In Australia, the theme of World Mental Health Day 2020 is “Look after your mental health, Australia.”

Get involved!

There’s lots of ways to get involved in World Mental Health Day and Mental Health Month, with many national and state-based organisations hosting a range of events and initiatives. This includes:

Reset Challenge: Sir David Martin Foundation has extended the Reset Challenge to run throughout Mental Health Month – encouraging the community to reset their lives and establish a new healthy habit, in support of young people in crisis. Learn more about Reset Challenge and our work to help young people in crisis

The Big Event for Mental Health is a global online advocacy event hosted by the World Health Organisation on 10 October. You can tune in from one of WHO’s social media channels Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and TikTok

Mental Health Australia: Each year Mental Health Australia hosts World Mental Health Day on 10 October and their 2020 theme is Look after your mental health, Australia. They have a range of resources (including factssheets, posters and social media tiles) to download and are also inviting individuals and workplaces to make a mental health promise

Mental Health Foundation Australia (MHFA): hosts National Mental Health Month to advocate for and raise awareness of Australian mental health. Their theme in 2020 is Mental Health Matters.

WayAhead NSW: hosts Mental Health Month NSW. Their theme in 2020 is Tune in

Western Australian Association for Mental Health (WAAMH): WA Mental Health Week kicks off on 10 October. This year’s WA Mental Health Week theme is Strengthening Our Community – Live, Learn, Work, Play.