Mental Health Month| October 2021
In 2021, South Australia’s Mental Health Awareness Program in October has expanded from a week to a month!
We all have a role to play!
Image source: mhcsa.org.au
With approximately 50% of Australians being diagnosed with mental illness in their lifetimes, 50% are likely to know someone living with or have experienced mental illness, making it something that effects everyone.
In the workplace 91% of employees believe mental health in the workplace is important, however, only 52% of employees believe their workplace is mentally healthy. Now if the workplace was to invest in strategies to improve their employee wellbeing, they would improve productivity, increase attendance, and reduce health compensation claims.
A PwC report showed that an investment of $1 in workplace mental health strategies will gain an average return on investment of $2.30. Without effective workplace strategies to improve wellbeing there could be a significant cost to your business / department and to your team (remember mental illness effects everyone).
This Mental Health Month provides you with an opportunity to have a conversation with your friends, family, colleagues and community about mental health.
Speak up and remember we can all make a difference!
Get involved by attending one of the Mental Health Month Events, organise a staff event, or just start a conversation with someone. Some of the upcoming events include:
- Laughter is the best medicine | 14 October
- Mindshare Exhibition | 1 – 31 October
- Poetry Prescribed | 21 October
- Lived Experience Lunch ‘N’ Learns | Every Wednesday (in October)
- The Thought That Counts | 1 – 31 October
- Magic with a Message | 16th and 24th October
To view the full program visit their website here.
It is so important to provide support to those around us. If you or someone you know are struggling with their mental health, please seek support from one of the following services.
Lifeline | 13 11 14
If you need crisis support and thinking of self harm you can call Lifeline for phone support.
Uniting Communities COVID-19 Mental Health Line | 1800 632 753
From 8am – 8pm everyday (excl. public holidays) you can access this phone or online chat service for mental health support.
SA Health | Find a Public Health Service to support your needs
SA Health has a comprehensive range of public mental health services for children and adolescents, adults and older people in SA
Beyond Blue | 1300 22 4636
Beyond Blue provides information and support services to help Australian’s with their mental health. Call now or access their online services for additional support.
To learn more about the available services in South Australia visit the Mental Health Month website here, and find out more information about the program.
Resources
Beyond Blue 2021, Statistics, Beyond Blue Ltd, viewed 7 October 2021, <https://www.beyondblue.org.au/media/statistics>.
Mental Health Coalition of South Australia 2021, Mental Health Month, MHCSA, viewed 7 October 2021, <https://mhcsa.org.au/mental-health-month/>.
PwC 2014, ‘Creating a mentally healthy workplace’, Return on investment analysis, PwC, viewed 7 October 2021 <https://www.headsup.org.au/docs/default-source/resources/beyondblue_workplaceroi_finalreport_may-2014.pdf>.
