Mental Health Week is a national celebration dedicated to raising awareness about mental wellbeing, encouraging social connection, reducing the stigma around mental health and promoting prevention strategies to keep our communities healthy. The week is normally scheduled around World Mental Health Day, which occurs on 10 October.
This year, the theme is: Empowering communities, thriving workforces: a journey towards investing in our mental health.
Remember – it’s okay to ask for help when you need it.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis now, call 000.
For those who need support, there are a number of helplines available to call:
- Lifeline provides 24-hour crisis counselling, support groups and suicide prevention services. Call 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14 or chat online.
- Suicide Call Back Service provides 24/7 support if you or someone you know is feeling suicidal. Call 1300 659 467.
- Kids HelpLine provides a free 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. Call
- Beyond Blue aims to increase awareness of depression and anxiety and reduce stigma. If you or a loved one need help, you can call 1300 22 4636, 24 hours/7 days a week or chat online.
- 13YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait islanders)
Learn how to support a friend
To learn more about how you can reach out and support a friend experiencing mental health challenges, visit RightByYou, a mental health resource and website designed by young people for young people.
Learn how to #chatsafe
Access the #chatsafe guidelines to learn how to communicate safely online about self-harm and suicide.
