The National Mental Health Commission is encouraging Australians to get behind this year’s World Mental Health Day on Saturday 10 October and make a personal commitment to prioritise their own mental health and wellbeing.
“The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day is ‘greater investment and greater access’; two important steps for our nation to take during this challenging and unprecedented times,” Commission Chair Mrs Lucy Brogden AM said on the eve of the event.
“The Australian Government recognises the importance of prioritising mental health and has taken positive steps in this year’s federal budget. We are now calling on individuals across the nation to also make their own personal commitment and take a positive step towards good mental health and wellbeing.
“Many of us are being exposed to mental health challenges we have not encountered before. This may also be impacting on existing mental health issues, especially those with severe and persistent mental illness. In truth, mental health matters as much as physical health.
“That’s why the Commission is working with communities and governments across the nation, as part of the Vision 2030 for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, to find the best way to prioritise our collective investment into the mental health and wellbeing of all Australians.
“Prioritising your own mental health, personally, can be hard. Yet, it is more important now than ever before, due to the ongoing impact of what has been a difficult year, and the challenges we may face over the coming months. It’s also important to learn how to help others. As a community we must all invest in learning more about mental health and mental ill-health.
“When we prioritise our own mental health, as well as those around us, we are more able to respond to life’s challenges, and to support ourselves and those we care about. That’s why we have partnered with Mental Health Australia on their Look After Your Mental Health Australia initiative.”
The initiative encourages all Australians to make a promise to themselves, a small but meaningful time investment to help them prioritise their own mental health and wellbeing. The campaign also encourages Australians to seek help when they need it, to learn about mental health and wellbeing, and encourage those around them to do the same.
“If we all take a moment to prioritise ourselves and make an ‘investment’ of time in our own mental wellbeing, we can all be part of a national approach to good mental health,” Mrs Brogden said.
You can make a mental health promise or find help seeking pathways at https://lookafteryourmentalhealthaustralia.org.au/
Continue to look after your mental health throughout October's mental health month and everyday with Mental Health Australia's suggested activities. 
National FREE 24/7 Crisis Services
Lifeline | 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service | 1300 659 467
Kids Helpline | 1800 55 1800
MensLine Australia | 1300 78 99 78
Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service | 1800 512 348
For general mental health information https://headtohealth.gov.au/
