October is Mental Health Awareness Month.

Mental Health Awareness Month is an initiative derived from the Mental Health Foundation Australia (MHFA) to advocate for and raise awareness of Australian mental health. It is an important time where the Australian community comes together to raise awareness and promote better mental health for all.

Mental Health Awareness Month in Australia is celebrated in October, running from October 1 to October 31 with World Mental Health Day occurring on October 10.  

We all have a role to play.

Mental Health Awareness Month is an opportunity to have conversations with your friends, family and community about mental health and wellbeing. Maple Community Services is on a mission to help spread awareness and support surrounding Mental Health and Mental Illness, not just in October, but all year round. Being specialists in Mental Illness and Psychosocial Disabilities, we understand all to well the impacts mental ill-health and mental wellbeing can have on individuals, their lives, and the people they love.

Come on this journey with us this month as we explore some of the most sought after topics in an attempt to break down barriers to understanding and gaining support for Mental health.

Let’s start here with a couple of tips for you on how to approach your own mental health, your community’s wellbeing, and how to support someone with mental ill-health.

If you’re looking for housing options, group homes for disabled individuals and NDIS housing providers can offer valuable supportive environments that cater to specific needs.

Tips to taking care of your own Mental Health

Everyone’s mental health and wellbeing is important. You can help look after your wellbeing by:

• Getting enough sleep.
• Eating regularly and healthily.
• Exercising.
• Reducing alcohol consumption.
• Spending quality time with loved ones or people whose company you enjoy.
• Learning ways to manage stress.
• Actively managing your use of electronic devices and consumption of social media.
• Finding time for things you enjoy such, such as outdoor and creative activities or learning a new skill.
• Having a laugh!

Tips for supporting your community’s mental health.

Here are some simple suggestions for supporting your community’s wellbeing:

• Cook meals for your friends when they’re experiencing a difficult time.
• Check in on a neighbour or family member who isn’t doing so well.
• Invite a friend for a walk, cup of coffee or something they enjoy doing.
• Find out more about what it’s like to live with mental illness from people who share their experiences through articles, books, films, or podcasts. 
• Listen to your loved one’s insights into their own mental health challenges.
• Volunteer for a local service, or activities that improve your. community’s wellbeing
• Practice kindness and empathy. 

Things you can do to Care For Someone With a Mental Illness and Disability.

If you are tasked with looking after a person with a mental illness, there are many ways in which you can help them:

• Provide emotional support.
• Support them with day-to-day tasks.
• Be there for them during challenging times.
• Advocate for them.
• Encourage them to seek help.
• Promote their confidence in making their own decisions.
• Support them throughout their treatment.

Mental Health Helplines 

If you or a loved one is experienced mental ill-health, seek help:

• Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511 Open 24/7
• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800

Maple Community Services and Mental Health.

Here at Maple Community Services, we provide much needs supports and services to those under the NDIS. We specialise in mental health, cognitive disability, and psychosocial disability supports.

If you have any questions around how Maple can assist you or your loved one through your NDIS journey, please do not hesitate to reach out.