October is Mental Health Awareness Month

October 15, 2019

As Shadow Assistant Minister for Mental Health I intend to make sure improving the mental health of every Australian is firmly on the national agenda. Mental Health Awareness Month is a good time to make a start.

While the whole of October is Mental Health Awareness Month, two specific dates are particularly important.

Wednesday, October 9 was headspace day so I visited headspace Lakehaven, one of the 110 headspace centres around Australia and heard about social media and its impact on the mental health and wellbeing of young people.

Thursday, October 10 is World Mental Health Day. According to Mental Health Australia one in five people are affected by mental ill health but many do not seek help because of the stigma.

Mental Health Australia is encouraging people to make a promise to help shed a more positive light on mental health.

Take a look at the website 1010.org.au to make mental health more visible by making a #MentalHealthPromise.

The website had over 2300 pages of promises by Tuesday, October 8 so please visit the page and make your promise.

To get help phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, phone 000 for emergency services.