To mark this year’s Mental Health Month, “CityNews” spoke with some local businesses and organisations who are passionate about improving mental health.

CELEBRATED in October each year, Mental Health Month encourages people to think about the importance of mental health in their everyday lives.

In 2022 the theme for the month is “Tune In”, which means being present, being aware of what’s happening within you, and in the world around you.

Over the coming four weeks, businesses and organisations throughout ACT and NSW will host events to inspire people to think more about their own mental health and the mental health of those around them.

A “Tune In” calendar is also available on the Mental Health Month website, which features tips to help people with their own happiness each day.

To celebrate the month, “CityNews” spoke with a number of local businesses and organisations who are passionate about improving mental health.

Looking after Australia’s mental health

WORLD Mental Health Day – October 10 – is a day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy, says Mental Health Australia CEO Dr Leanne Beagley.

“This year’s theme of ‘Awareness, Belonging and Connection’ speaks to our desire to build and maintain healthy relationships for our wellbeing and good mental health,” says Dr Beagley.

“Our October calendar contains an A-to-Z of helpful tips to practice mindful habits for our mental health.”

Dr Beagley says signing up for this World Mental Health Day offers an opportunity to embed mindful habits to help people gain and maintain a sense of wellbeing.

“Inviting others to join in also provides that sense of community and helps us look after ourselves and each other,” she says.

“For some people, looking after your mental health may involve taking a daily walk. For others, it’s about finding time to have fun; getting in some much-needed rest; or taking time to connect with others. Everyone is different.

“Mental health can be a difficult subject for many people to talk about and engage with because of stigma and a lack of awareness, which is why campaigns like World Mental Health Day are so important.

“Relatively simple commitments to do something small – like acts of self-care, mindfulness, reaching out to others, enjoying the outdoors, or random acts of kindness – can go a long way to increase wellbeing,” she says.

Mental Health Australia, call 6285 3100 or visit mhaustralia.org

Portal maintains support during waiting period

MINDMAP is an online navigation portal initiative of ACT Health implemented by Marymead, says Mental Health and Wellbeing Unit manager Carley Thomas.

It is run for young people, parents and carers who are seeking youth (0-25) mental-health-related support, services and information.

“One function of MindMap is to close the gap between help seeking and clinical allocation through Active Hold,” says Carley.

“Active Hold is a holding space designed to maintain the support of the person while they are on a service-provider waiting list.”

Carley says MindMap increases understanding of mental health information and services.

“By putting all services and information in one place, young people and their caregivers can feel confident that the results received are of a high quality,” says Carley. 

MindMap team leader Amy Kelley says MindMap has provided crucial interventions for young people with diverse circumstances.

“MindMap’s vibrant team is relatable and accessible, attempting to break down the power imbalance that is often felt when accessing mental health services,” says Amy.

“MindMap is not a crisis service. The team links people to services in a supportive and empathetic way and the anonymity of the live-chat function has seen young people disclosing information that a bricks-and-mortar operation might prevent,” Amy says.

MindMap is accessible 24/7 and is supported through a team of “youth navigators” from 11am to 10pm each day, with some variations on public holidays.

MindMap. Call 1800 862 111 or visit mindmap.act.gov.au

Film festival shines light on mental health

THE Canberra International Mental Health Film Festival will this year feature 26 films that look to break the stigma surrounding mental health and illness, says founder and director Tim Daly.

Run by charity organisation This is My Brave Australia, Tim says the film festival is a way of sharing stories that are an alternative to the mainstream media’s normal portrayal of mental health.

“Usually you only hear the sensational or the tragic stories,” he says.

“We want to show the other side of the story of people living with mental health issues, show that life with a mental health issue is not the end of your life. That there is hope.”

Now in its fifth year, Tim says the festival has received films from all over the world which span all sorts of genres.

“We’ve had submissions from countries like Canada, the US, the UK, Australia, Ukraine, Italy and even Botswana,” he says.

“This year we’ve got a lot of animation and I think that had to do with covid. People had trouble getting out and making films but they still made them with animation.”

Tim says the films can be submitted by anyone and oftentimes become used as important guides for people living with mental health issues.

“Creatives have wonderful ways of expressing themselves, which are usually different from what you see around normal coverage of mental health,” he says.

“This is real life, this is authentic and it’s really important that we get these stories out.”

Canberra International Mental Health Film Festival, at AIE Theatre, Canberra Technology Park, Watson, October 9, visit thisismybraveaustralia.com