Every October, Mental Health Month raises awareness of mental illness, reduces stigma and discrimination against people living with mental illness, and promotes positive mental health and wellbeing in the community. Emma Davidson, ACT Minister for Mental Health, has a message for our readers.
Canberrans have endured a really stressful past two years, since the Black Summer fires first started. Our capacity is stretching thin, and it’s really important we stay kind to ourselves and practice self-compassion, recognising that things are stressful as we have had to change the way we do things throughout the pandemic. It can be tricky to talk to people about how they, or you, are feeling and where to go for help.
The great thing about Mental Health Month is we hear from many different organisations about all the amazing support and resources they offer, so we can add to our toolbox and be in a good position to help people when they are in need, including ourselves.
We have an incredibly diverse range of community mental health and wellbeing support options for Canberrans. The ACT Government is proud to boost $2.64 million to many of these organisations under the COVID-19 Mental Health Community Support Package.
Mental Health Month is a time to extend a hand and ask our loved ones if there’s anything else we can do to support their mental health. It might be the first conversation you have about supporting someone’s mental health, but it shouldn’t be the last. Regular conversations and interactions with our loved ones about their mental health will mean more people have access to support and more people can be safe and healthy.
The ACT Government is excited to partner with ACT’s Mental Health Community Coalition to help build resilience in our community this Mental Health Month. There are a number of events throughout October which will keep Canberrans connected in a COVID safe way and support their mental health needs: https://www.mentalhealthmonthact.org/
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