October's spotlight is on Mental Health Month, which raises awareness on the importance of wellness and helps people with resources and support to improve and wellbeing. With World Mental Health Day on 10th October, Australia aims to provide strategies, tips & support to help people in need.

Community events for the Month are held throughout October each year across Australia and coincide with World Mental Health Day on 10^th October.  People can connect through various support channels such as conferences, online events, mindfulness workshops, charity walks, and learn from resource toolkits and other resilience strategies to cope with the mental stressors of daily life.

1 in 5 Australians experiences the following symptoms every year. For many people and businesses facing the impacts of daily stressors, including Covid, social isolation, rising living costs and so on, awareness and resilience have become more important in leading a more positive and fulfilling life.

Some tips to look on:

• Connect with people and have good relationships
• Stay physically active
• Stay present in the moment (mindfulness)
• Sleep early
• Eat and drink healthily
• Volunteer in the community
• Learning ways to manage stress
• Limit social media/screen time
• Learn a new skill
• Have a ‘You’ Day to do things you enjoy

In the workplace, employers can promote positive practices to promote mental wellness at work. This can lead to positive outcomes such as higher morale, better performance, less absenteeism and lower staff turnover. This can also reduce workers compensation claims related to ‘mental injury’.

Looking after your mental health matters and learning how to be resilient and mindful of your own wellbeing will help you thrive in your personal life and workplace.

Source: Mental Health Australia

Title: Mental Health Month

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