Throughout October Australia’s mental health professionals shine a spotlight on health and wellbeing.

Canberra’s Mental Health Week (October 5-11) marks “the art of wellbeing” with a selection of free workshops and creative pop-ups, mindful music sessions and wellness walks and the ACT Mental Health Sector Awards. 

Nationally, it’s also Mental Health Month, centred around World Mental Health Day on October 10, which includes National Safe Work Month, BPD Awareness Week, International Day of Non-Violence, World Homeless Day, National Carer’s Week and OCD Awareness Week.

Empowering participants live full lives, their way

Established in 2016, Wellcare Australia is a committed partner in the Australian disability sector, with a specialisation in mental health and psychosocial disability support, says service director, Yohan Mathai.

A registered NDIS service provider based in Canberra, Yohan says they believe in empowering individuals to live full and self-directed lives. 

“At Wellcare Australia, we are dedicated to building reliable, long-term relationships based on trust and transparency,” he says. 

“We believe mental illness is not a choice, but your recovery is,” he says. 

“Every day you get to choose what recovery looks like for you, whether it’s taking those small steps to reconnect with your community, discovering new skills that give you purpose, or just having the support to live independently in your own home.”

Yohan says their purpose is to honour these choices by walking alongside their clients as a partner to help them build the life they’ve envisioned for themselves. 

“Recovery isn’t a destination you arrive at, it’s an ongoing journey that is shaped by your decisions, your pace and your values. It should always be on your own terms.”

Beyond this, Yohan says their expertise extends to assisting individuals with dementia, intellectual disability and complex care needs, ensuring comprehensive and compassionate support for a diverse range of participants.

“We strive to create inclusive and diverse spaces where every participant feels seen and supported, ensuring they have the choice and control to achieve their NDIS goals and live meaningful lives,” he says. 

Providing supported independent living within their residential recovery services, Yohan says their accessible homes are fully furnished and have 24/7 support to foster independence and a sense of belonging. 

“For those preferring to remain in their own homes, our in-home support services are tailored to daily living needs, such as personal care and medication,” he says. 

Offering reliable transport and one-on-one assistance for appointments, social events and daily activities through their outreach services, Yohan says they are committed to providing clients with the opportunities needed to access support and stay connected with their community. 

Designed to build social skills and confidence, Wellcare Australia Centre for Wellbeing service offers specialised psychosocial recovery support to help individuals manage their mental health and strengthen community connections. 

“Centre for Wellbeing exemplifies our commitment to capacity building, offering programs focused on employment, entrepreneurship and overall wellbeing,” says Yohan.

Wellcare Australia, corner of Launceston and Easty streets, Phillip. Call 6193 6116 or visit wellcareaustralia.com.au 

Disability service helps clients live life on their terms

AbilitySeer managing director, Tim O’Hare, says their focus is on overcoming systemic barriers and obstacles with their clients by fostering independence, social connection and wellbeing.

A registered NDIS provider dedicated to supporting people living with a disability within the ACT and southern NSW, Tim says: “Quality is at the heart of what we do.

“We know that the services we provide can make a life-changing difference, but to achieve that, we have to hold ourselves to the highest standards and continuously strive to learn, improve and reflect.” 

Tim says one of the best parts of the work they do is meeting new people. 

“Every participant brings their own unique stories, characteristics and experiences and it’s so rewarding getting to be a part of that,” he says. 

“I’m privileged to work alongside a truly outstanding team, who are as passionate and committed to achieving great client outcomes as I am.”

Tim says they know that stigma and barriers around mental health can prevent people from reaching out for the support they need, which is why it is so important for them to be a strong advocate for mental health. 

“We are always working to break down misconceptions about our clients and their needs, ensuring that they know their rights and options, so that they can make decisions which are best for them,” he says. 

“It’s about understanding the expressed wish and balancing duty of care with dignity of risk.

“At the end of the day, our mission is simple, to help people live life on their terms with dignity, respect and choice.” 

AbilitySeer, D214 Canberra Technology Park, 49 Phillip Avenue, Watson. Call 0251 047780 or visit abilityseer.com.au

Experts who reduce the isolating impact of diabetes

Those living with diabetes have 180 more decisions to make a day than those living without, says Natalie Smith, national manager Diabetes Programs and Services at Diabetes Australia.  

On top of thinking about the day’s events, those living with the condition must also think about what food they should eat, what medication they will need to bring and how some exercises might impact their blood sugar levels and so much more. 

Natalie says living with diabetes can, at times, be incredibly isolating for some people.

“Diabetes is a serious chronic condition that requires meticulous attention to detail in lifestyle and food consumption,” she says. 

“Fifty per cent of people living with the condition report feeling anxious and/or having poor mental health. Thankfully, there is lots of support available for them and their families.”

The National Diabetes Service Scheme (NDSS) provides resources, tools and subsidised products for people living with diabetes.

“There are countless activities, such as meditation and support services that can help those living with diabetes feel grounded again,” says Natalie. 

“From healthy eating to giving up smoking/vaping and excessive drinking, Diabetes Australia and the NDSS are here to help. You can also reach out to Beyond Blue or Lifeline.”

In Australia, there are 1.5 million people living with diabetes. 

“If you’re in need of help, give us a call and we can help you find the right support,” says Natalie.

Diabetes Australia, 19-23 Moore Street, Turner, call 1800 177055 or visit diabetesaustralia.com.au

Programs blending science, compassion and life skills

For more than 30 years, the Quest for Life Foundation has supported people through life’s toughest challenges, such as grief, illness, trauma or burnout, and has helped them find resilience, peace of mind and renewed purpose. 

Founded in 1989 by Petrea King, the foundation has helped more than 150,000 people through evidence-based programs that blend science, compassion and practical life skills. 

Petrea says the Quest Centre, sitting on three hectares in the Southern Highlands, provides a haven for individuals to pause, reset and learn strategies that last beyond the participants’ stay. 

“Life doesn’t always go to plan,” she says. 

“But when people are given the right tools and support, they can discover an extraordinary capacity to heal, grow and thrive.”

The foundation offers programs including residential retreats, community workshops and online courses. 

This year, the foundation has launched its Beyond Burnout program that offers strategies to prevent and recover from burnout. 

The program is designed to help individuals, teams and leaders foster sustainable wellbeing and performance. 

“For many, Quest is more than a program, it’s a turning point that strengthens families, workplaces and communities, sustained by community support that keeps programs accessible,” says Petrea. 

Quest for Life, 13-33 Ellsmore Road, Bundanoon NSW, call 1300 941488 or visit questforlife.org.au

Free webinar seminars challenge stigma around mental health

For more than 30 years, Mental Illness Education ACT (MIEACT) has been the primary local mental health and well-being education provider for the Canberra region. 

Recently launching its 14th year of DoNOHarm Training in September, MIEACT CEO Prudence Slaughter, says they’ve got a busy month ahead of them as they raise awareness for mental health. 

Working with the six principals of DoNOHarm (content and purpose, recovery emphasis, safe talking, limits to helping, respectful and inclusive language, and self care), Prudence says the program empowers conversations, changes mindsets and teaches vital skills. 

Offering a buy one, gift one package, the three-hour training workshops can be used in leadership training, the community sector workforce, the lived experience workforce and with lived experience sharing. 

“We are constantly working upstream as we work in prevention and promotion for mental health,” says Prudence. 

Presenting a free webinar series during Mental Health Month called Lunch, Listen & Learn, Prudence says participants will listen to some of their volunteers talking about their lived experiences dealing with their own personal mental health journeys. 

With topics ranging from PTSD and toxic masculinity to OCD awareness and bipolar, Prudence says it is an opportunity to engage respectfully with lived experiences and challenge the stigma and myths surrounding them. 

Always welcoming of new faces and stories, Prudence says volunteers are encouraged to apply to continue improving the mental health literacy across the Canberra community. 

Mental Illness Education ACT, 20 Genge Street, Canberra, call 6257 1195 or visit mieact.org.au

Supporting the whole person, not just the symptom

Mental health is just as important as physical health, says the medical director of The Mother Hub, Dr Sarah Bombell.

“Our mental health services are provided by Dr Liz Layard, a clinical psychologist and Naomi, a dual-trained midwife and counsellor,” she says. 

“Together they support clients across a wide range of needs, including perinatal anxiety and depression, adjustment challenges, grief and loss, birth trauma, and general emotional wellbeing.” 

With services tailored to women and families, Dr Bombell says they recognise the challenges of pregnancy, early parenthood and beyond. 

“We believe healing begins the moment a client feels truly seen and heard,” she says. 

“A patient may come to us for help with postnatal issues, but often their emotional wellbeing is just as pressing.

“By offering mental health alongside physical care under one roof, we ensure clients don’t fall through the cracks.”

Designed to reduce stigma and make care more accessible, Dr Bombell says this model allows them to support the whole person, not just the symptom. 

Ultimately, she says prioritising mental health is not a luxury, it’s essential. 

“We want to continue breaking down barriers so that reaching for support is as normal as seeing a GP for a check up,” she says.

“We also want people to know that recovery and resilience are possible.”

The Mother Hub, 175 Strickland Crescent, Deakin. Call 6196 6722 or visit themotherhub.com.au

Creating a safe environment to heal

Clinical counsellor and supervisor Siobhan Madden says safety is the foundation for effective therapy. 

Siobhan, an advocate for traumatised populations, respectful relationships, gender equality and all aspects of interpersonal wellbeing, offers services for women, children and men rebuilding their lives after domestic, family and sexual abuse.

She also helps adults recovering from childhood trauma, neglect or abuse; couples and families working through relationship breakdowns; post-separation parenting and high conflict; adults navigating loss, grief, disenfranchised experiences of nature and adults seeking support for identify/sexuality exploration and life purpose. 

“I value clients as individuals and honour them as expert witnesses of their own story,” she says. 

For anyone feeling anxious about trying therapy, Siobhan says there is no wrong way to integrate therapeutic counselling into your life. 

“Healing unfolds at your pace, on your terms,” she says. 

“You are in control of how many sessions you would like to attend.” 

Attendance for Siobhan services can range from a few sessions to resolve a specific issue, or a longer term to work through deeper issues. 

“Some people return over time as the need arises,” she says. 

Siobhan says it’s important that clients feel safe, valued and understood and says her trauma-informed approach acknowledges that each individual has different needs regarding safety.

Siobhan Madden Counselling and Psychotherapy, email [email protected] or visit siobhanmaddencounselling.com  

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