This week across Australia, Mental Health is a hot topic and with good reason. . . Mental Health Week was first held in 1985 and from that date forward, became an annual event with it's timing either side of World Mental Health Day held on the 10th of October every year.

The week was founded and has continued to grow as an awareness campaign for mental health with many large organisations getting on board to ensure that the week is more than 'just a hashtag' but a call to action for individuals to take a pro-active approach in understanding the importance of discussions on mental health - whether it be their own or the mental health of others around them.

So what is everyone supposed to 'do' during Mental Health Week?

There are so many ways that we as individuals, organisations, schools and communities can make a difference in spreading awareness on mental health which is essentially what this week is all about.

Whilst there are big initiatives happening all across the country, it can sometimes be the smallest gesture or action that can make the most difference to either our own mental health or the mental health of those that we care about.

Some great ways that you can keep the momentum of Mental Health Week going include:

• Prioritising:  Allow yourself to be 'selfish' and put your own thoughts, feelings and emotions first when it comes to your own mental health.  Just focus on the things that are most important to you.
• Eat Well: You are what you eat! Your diet has a massive impact on your mental health so make good and healthy choices when it comes to what you're putting into your body and give yourself a chance to feel healthy from the inside.
• Sleep: We all need it and we can't function without it! A good nights' sleep is the best way to rest our mind as well as our body and allow us to start the next day on a 'clean slate' with a clean mind.
• Exercise:  We don't expect everyone to go and enter in the next triathlon event! Even just a twenty minute walk every day can help get the heart rate up and the happy hormones circulation through the body.
• Get Out and About: Whilst we all need our down time, social interaction is key when it comes to forming connections and making us feel a part of things.  You don't have to hit the town every night, even just a coffee with an old friend or a phone call to a family member can help.

We encourage everyone to jump on the Mental Health Week bandwagon, not just this week, but every week and let's make every day of the calendar year a good day to talk about mental health and increase awareness.

If you feel you are struggling and need help, please check out our Get Help Page for details on organisations that can help.

#ItAintWeakToSpeak