October is Mental Health Month and the WayAhead Mental Health Association of NSW theme is Tune In. Tuning In means being present to what is happening with you, and in the world around you. The theme focuses on Tuning in to Stigma, Tuning into Yourself, and Tuning in to Others. 

This month is an opportunity for you to focus on mental health and wellbeing and Tuning in provides an opportunity to empower you to look after your own mental health and wellbeing and to provide support to others. 

Over the next few weeks, a range of tools, resources, and sources of support will be available to complement the weekly themes. It is hoped that this material provides you an opportunity to take time to reflect and take action on your mental health and wellbeing.

Tune In to Stigma 

Many people don’t receive help when experiencing poor mental health due to concerns about them being treated differently by family and friends or fears of an impact on their job.

The stigma associated with mental health can be subtle or it can be obvious but understanding what that looks like and how to address it can help. By considering the barriers and misconceptions regarding mental health, you can support the normalisation of mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.

Blackdog Institute

“Living with a black dog” is a creative illustration for partners, carers, and sufferers of depression and provides awareness to those living with and caring for people with depression on what to do, what not to do, and where to go for help.

“Living with a black dog” is a follow-up to “I had a black dog, his name was depression,” which offers practical advice for coming to terms with and overcoming depression. 

Living with a black dog

Tuning into Stigma Factsheet

This factsheet covers:

• What is mental health stigma 
• The types of stigma
• Ways to challenge stigma 
• Additional resources to delve deeper into mental health stigma

Headspace Parent and Carer Sessions – Illawarra / Shoalhaven

Headspace is conducting Parent and Carer Mental Health Education sessions for Term 4. Please see here the promotional flyer for the Illawarra/Shoalhaven sessions that includes the session dates and hyperlinks to the registration pages.

A full list of session dates for Term 4 can be found here: headspace NSW Parent and Carer Sessions Events | Eventbrite