Mental Health Week raises community awareness about mental health issues and is held every October each year to coincide with World Mental Health Day that is held on 10 October.
The aim of Mental Health Week is to promote social and emotional wellbeing to the community, encouraging people to maximise their health potential, enhancing the coping capacity of communities, families, individuals and increasing mental health recovery.
Mental Health Week will be held from Sunday 5 to Sunday 12 October.
ABC is showing their support by actively creating the MentalAs campaign. They have raised almost $100,000 to date, which is a great effort.
The ABC is partnering with the Society for Mental Health Research (SMHR) the national peak body for psychiatric and mental health research in Australia and New Zealand. SMHR will administer all funds raised, with donations to be invested in mental health research. To find out more about it and to donate visit the dedicated MentalAs site.
Did you know:
- Nearly 50% of all Australians experience at least one episode of mental ill health in our lives
- Almost every Australian is affected: as carers, parents, friends, family
- For 15-44 year olds, mental illness outstrips all other health issues
- The annual cost of mental illness in Australia has been estimated at more than $20 billion
If you are in need of assistance your local doctor is someone that can help. A good resource to find someone nearby www.doctors.com.au.