Mental Health Australia

“I still get bad days and relapses, and that’s okay. It’s not a linear journey.” Mental health advocate LewChing has utilised her lived and living experiences to drive systemic reforms to allow better, more accessible supports for her communities. “It has allowed me to reclaim parts of my story and find solidarity,” she writes. “It has taken a long time for me to build a chosen family for myself here and to re-learn how to place my trust in others to support me through the bad days.” https://lnkd.in/gqcr7dPn #WMHD24 #MeaningfulConnectionsMatter

This year we were proud to work with ReachOut Australia Youth Ambassadors and Peer Workers Will, Jenna, Kae, Emily May, Henry, Chaise, Chaithrali and Maddi, and the research team at Orygen on a World Mental Health Day calendar for young people! If you are 16-24 years old - or young at heart - download your free calendar filled with daily mindfulness tips here: https://lnkd.in/gv_Y_XC7 #WMHD24 #MeaningfulConnectionsMatter

“Where I grew up, mental health was not spoken about, and any mention of mental illness was shoved under the rug.” LewChing is a proud queer woman of colour and first-generation migrant in Australia, and shares her story as part of our Meaningful Connections Matter campaign. She draws on her intersectional lived and living experiences to shape her advocacy for child and family safety, cultural safety and suicide prevention, and is a batyr lived experience storyteller and an Embrace Multicultural Mental Health Lived Experience Group member. Read her story here: https://lnkd.in/gqcr7dPn #WMHD24 #MeaningfulConnectionsMatter

“When I decided to look after my mental health, it was a big journey. I realised I would have to do the work myself. For the first two years of my healing journey I was meditating, doing breath work and journaling every morning to rewire my brain. They were non-negotiations – I had a very strict routine, and I chose to live like that every morning. That’s how badly I wanted to change. Consistency is the hard part of this whole journey. These are the practices that give you a good and healthy life. The work comes from a solo journey. It’s you who has to get up at 4 am and do what you have to do. But that is the most fulfilling part too. It’s totally normal to fall off the train – you’ve just got to get back on that path, use your tools and be consistent.” Derrick shares how he worked hard to build a meaningful connection with himself when he began his journey towards good mental health: https://lnkd.in/g2Nx68Ua #WMHD24 #MeaningfulConnectionsMatter

“When your mental health isn’t right it’s a constant feeling. It’s all upstairs in your head, the voices that you’ve constantly got to battle. What I’ve come to realise is that it’s all mindset. When I was younger, I didn’t realise that life is all mindset.” Moving back home to Mount Isa was one of the biggest things in Derrick’s healing journey. He hadn’t been home in 10 years and found big power in connecting back to Country, where he was born and raised. Read Derrick’s story: https://lnkd.in/g2Nx68Ua #WMHD24 #MeaningfulConnectionsMatter

When it comes to mental health, meaningful connections matter. Connections with loved ones, connections with community, connections with colleagues, connections to supports and services, connection to Country – and connection to yourself. In the lead-up to World Mental Health Day this year, we are sharing the stories of 12 lived experience advocates who have used meaningful connections in their journey towards good mental health. Read their stories here: https://lnkd.in/g4FZc2t4 #WMHD24 #MeaningfulConnectionsMatter

The proposal to set a minimum age for access to social media and other digital platforms announced by the Australian Government last week has sparked intense debate about the effects of online content on young people’s mental health and wellbeing. While it is encouraging to see mental health as a central component of national debate, the proposed adoption of a blanket ban as the primary solution to improving the safety of social media platforms, and linking this to improving the mental health of children and young people, is worrying. Experts from some of Australia’s leading mental health organisations agree that a proposed ban is not the solution. These organisations have recognised that there needs to be improvements to online safety, while also pointing to the importance of social media as an avenue for mental health support. They have been working together to develop substantial, evidence-based ways to create safe social media environments for young people for some time.  Read more in our latest CEO Update: https://lnkd.in/gpgkYSwT

Mental Health Australia is currently recruiting for a part time Finance Officer. This position is responsible for performing financial and accounting services, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, bank reconciliations, and preparing and submitting Business Activity Statements (BAS), and assisting with the efficient and effective running of the office. Remote work from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane will be considered, noting Canberra is preferred. Applicants should include a copy of their current resume and a one-page pitch as to why you would be a great fit for the job. Applications should be received no later than 5pm AEST Sunday 29 September 2024 and uploaded via the apply here button. More information here: https://lnkd.in/gjchy9dJ

Mental Health Australia welcomes the release of the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. It’s time for comprehensive action from the Australian Government to address the cultural and systemic issues failing past and present Australian Defence Force members and their families. We’ve been pleased to work with members and stakeholders to contribute to the work of the Royal Commission, including Darren Black, a veteran and CEO of member organisation Superfriend. As Darren says “The Royal Commission Report and recommendations are comprehensive. The Commissioners are to be commended for their work of the past 3 years. What is critical now is what the Government does with the report. It’s recommendations cannot go unheeded as previous enquiries have.” Mental Health Australia joins with defence and veteran communities in urging immediate Government action. Crucially, as recommended by the Royal Commission, a new independent statutory entity to provide oversight of implementation of the Commission’s recommendations must be established.   Read the Final Report here: https://lnkd.in/gqNU75nB

A conversation truly can change a life 💛 People who are regularly asked R U OK? feel more supported, connected, cared about and better about themselves and their situation. The free Conversation Guide has practical tips for how to navigate an R U OK? conversation, today, tomorrow and any time someone needs your support. Download it at https://bit.ly/2ZcG05n #ruokanyday #ruokday2024