Today marks World Mental Health Day; a day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy.
This initiative aims to raise public awareness of mental health issues worldwide and this year it has three objectives:
- Encourage help seeking behaviour
- Reduce the stigma associated with mental illness
- Foster connectivity throughout communities
To do this, individuals are encouraged to take personal ownership of their own mental health and wellbeing. At home, at work, with family and friends, or in the wider community we can all do something to help reduce stigma around mental illness and make way for people to seek support. The campaign has focused on a simple, personal mental health promise that can be made by anyone. Please find some promises shared below so far on the Mental Health Day website.
“I promise to continue to give a voice to those with mental illness and work to tear down the stigma associated with mental health”
“I promise to do what makes me happy”
“I promise to help people remember that sometimes just reaching out & asking “is everything ok” could make a world of difference for somebody”
“I promise to promote innovation and kindness to help people reach their own potential”
Read some more here, https://1010.org.au/promise-wall/
Whether you want to post your own here, https://1010.org.au/make-a-promise/ or just have a think about something that you can try to start doing to help shed a more positive light on mental health.
CFA has a range of support services for all of our staff and volunteers to access. These include
- Peer Support Program – trained members offering support and guidance – contact your local peer coordinator
- Member Assistance Program – 24-hour phone service where you talk to trained psychologists to help you through work and personal issues – 1300 795 711
- Chaplaincy Program – offering 24-hour pastoral care – 1800 337 068
- Member Wellbeing advisers – Experienced field officers available to help all staff and volunteers manage mental health and relationship issues – (03) 9262 8409 / wellbeing.intake@cfa.vic.gov.au
- HeadsUP onlinetoolkit – information and advice on managing mental health and relationship issues – cfa.vic.gov.au/headsup.
The services are confidential, free of charge and available to all CFA members and their immediate families.