Tuesday10 October 2023

Awareness, belonging, connection

Justice & Advocacy

“The theme for this year’s Queensland Mental Health Week is ‘Awareness, Belonging, Connection’. It aims to raise awareness around mental ill-health, staying connected to others and supporting meaningful conversations,” says Eliza Wilson from Anglicare Southern Queensland

Eliza Wilson

Tuesday 10 October 2023

Tuesday 10 October 2023

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Queensland Mental Health Week runs from 7 to 15 October, coinciding with World Mental Health Day (10 October). It is a week to recognise the importance of individual and community mental health and wellbeing.

Each year, one in five people will experience a mental health concern. Queensland Mental Health Week encourages us to raise awareness and understanding of mental health issues within our communities to reduce the stigma and discrimination that’s commonly associated with mental health.

The theme for this year’s Queensland Mental Health Week is ‘Awareness, Belonging, Connection’. It aims to raise awareness around mental ill-health, staying connected to others and supporting meaningful conversations.

How to maintain good mental health and wellbeing

Many things can impact mental health and wellbeing, and there are many ways to improve or maintain them. Here are some helpful self-care tips for mental health.

1. Improve your physical health. 
   Frequent exercise and a healthy diet can increase your energy levels, concentration and help you think more clearly.
2. Get out amongst nature.
   Science has proven that when people spend time in nature, they’re less likely to experience negative feelings such as anger and stress. Genetically, humans are programmed to be soothed by nature.
3. Take time to focus on the present.
   When you feel busy or overwhelmed, it’s important to pause and take notice of the present. Mindfulness techniques can help you to relax and increase your awareness of your surroundings and mind.
4. Show kindness to yourself and others.
   When you do something kind for someone else, you’re likely to experience increased happiness. Kindness also has a dual benefit of making others feel better, too.
5. Connect with others. 
   Leaning in on the social support of others can help reduce feelings of stress and loneliness. You can connect with others by talking to people you trust, volunteering, helping people and talking to those who may be going through similar experiences to you.

Here are some other self-care tips for mental health and wellbeing:

• improve your sleep
• engage in learning opportunities
• track gratitude and personal achievements in a journal
• do things you enjoy or take up new hobbies
• set goals.

Seeking professional support

One of the best things that you can do when you are experiencing mental distress is to seek counselling services or talk to someone. If you’re noticing symptoms that are constant, persisting for two weeks or more, or affecting your daily life in a negative way — it’s recommended that you seek professional help. There’s never a wrong time to seek assistance for your mental health.

If you require emergency support, please call 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14. Lifeline is a free crisis and emergency support service that’s available 24/7.

Alternatively, if you require less urgent assistance, you may wish to seek assistance from a GP, who can point you in the direction of professional mental health services and provide you with access to referral partners.

Our counselling services

Anglicare Southern Queensland supports the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of Queenslanders. We provide counselling services for individuals, families, couples and children. To learn more about them, please click here.

If you are concerned about the mental health of someone you know, read our recent article about R U OK? Day, which provide some tips on how to check in with someone and start a conversation.

First published on the Anglicare Southern Queensland website on 9 October 2023.