Mental Health Matters- Mental Health Month this October
Did you know 1 in 5 Australians are affected by mental illness, yet many don’t seek help?
We can all do something to help shed a more positive light on mental health. October is Mental Health Month and Mental Health Week is also occurring (5th-11th October) with a focus on how we live, learn, work and play - realising it's a combination of factors which impact our mental wellbeing.
Could you or a love one be suffering from anxiety or depression?
Take the quiz below
This simple checklist aims to measure whether you may have been affected by depression and anxiety during the past four weeks. The higher your score, the more likely you are to be experiencing depression and/or anxiety.
Here are some practical tools to help to improve your mental health and wellness this month:
Meditation apps
Meditation is a simple way to reap big benefits. But where do you begin? And how do you know exactly what to do? Good news — there’s an app for that!
The Mindfulness App
Head Space
Calm
Stop, breath, think
View more:
Free resources and tool kits
myCompass
myCompass is free online, interactive self-help program. myCompass is designed to address mild to-moderate symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression through personalised treatments delivered entirely online.
Mood boosting foods
Did you know your mood can affect your food choices? And, on the flip side, your food choices can affect your mood.
If you are experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety like low mood, irritability, lack of motivation and low energy levels, it may be difficult to find the energy and motivation to make healthy food choices.
Read about the best foods for mental health here
Mood boosting recipes
National hotlines
Need help? There are a number of great free national hotlines that you can use
National help lines and websites
Black Dog Institute
Information on symptoms, treatment and prevention of depression and bipolar disorder.
Carers Australia: 1800 242 636
Short-term counselling and emotional and psychological support services for carers and their families in each state and territory.
Embrace Multicultural Mental Health
A national platform for multicultural communities and Australian mental health services to access resources, services and information in a culturally accessible format.
Headspace: 1800 650 890
Free online and telephone service that supports young people aged between 12 and 25 and their families going through a tough time.
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
A free, private and confidential, telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25.
View more here
We all have good days and bad days. Then there are those days when something isn't quite right, you've got something on your mind, or things just seem too much. Whatever it may be, sharing the load with someone else can really help.
So, no matter who you are, or how you're feeling, our team are here to help you and your family.
Resources:
Beyond Blue
Way Ahead Mental Health Association NSW
Health Line
