Wondering about how you can get involved in Queensland Mental Health Week (QMHW)? People across the state will come together through events, conversations, activities, and more from 10-18 October 2020!

Here are eight different ways you can get involved.

Host an event

Promote activities that enhance mental, physical, social and spiritual wellbeing through hosting your own QMHW event. Each year hundreds of mental health awareness events are held, including those organised by schools, workplaces, community groups, individuals, local and state governments!

If you do decide to host an event, or even simply organise a private activity with friends or colleagues, make sure to register it on the QMHW website so it is counted as part of the week.

Attend an event

To find out what is happening in your local area and the contact details for event organisers, visit the QMHW events page.

Volunteer

Giving back to the community can not only help others, but can also help boost your own mental health.

With so many events being held for QMHW, there are many volunteer positions that will need to be filled.

You could also put up your hand to volunteer directly for a mental health service.

Websites such as https://volunteeringqld.org.au/ and https://www.volunteer.com.au/ can help put you in touch with organisations that are looking for volunteers.

Buy merchandise

Canefields Clubhouse is once again the official QMHW merchandise partner – taking orders, packing and mailing them directly to you.

Canefields Clubhouse operates psycho-social rehabilitation for adults experiencing mental illness in the Logan-Beaudesert area of Brisbane.

They have organised a range of new items for 2020 that can be bought individually or in bulk, including hats, t-shirts, pens, a lapel pin and sanitizer. There are also school and community packs available.

Purchasing merchandise is a great way to show your support and help raise awareness of mental health for all Queenslanders, so visit the store now to get your order in early.

Shop merchandise here.

Take time for your own mental health

Take heed of this year’s theme and take steps to promote better mental health within yourself.

Be more physically active by enrolling in a fitness class, be more social by taking part in an art class or community organisation, and mentally-grow by learning something new. Belong by spending more time with loved ones. Commit to a cause by volunteering, educating yourself, or simply making an effort to pick up the phone and call friends more often.

You can also share on social media how you are taking time for mental health during QMHW by using the hashtag #QMHWTakeTime.

Educate yourself

If you don’t quite understand the issues surrounding mental health, educate yourself by reading up about different mental health conditions.

You can also hear stories of what mental illness feels like from those with lived experience here. Every story is different, and you can have a far better understanding of what living with mental health problems is like by learning about the stories of real people.

You may use this new information to recognise a friend in need or discover you’re battling with your own issues.

Start a conversation

Spread the word about QMHW in-person and online! You can encourage those within your network to get involved in the week (click here for QMHW’s social media graphics), share your own mental health story, or start a conversation with a loved one if your gut tells you that something is not quite right.

You can start a conversation by asking “Are you okay?” One of the great things about asking this is you don’t have to provide the answer, nor do you have to be okay yourself. It’s simply about lending an ear, showing the person you are willing to genuinely listen and encouraging help-seeking.

If you are unsure about how to start a conversation on mental health, there are plenty of resources available from mental health services. For example, you can visit the Beyond Blue website here to find out what to say and why when it comes to anxiety and depression.

Donate

Australia’s helplines and mental health services rely heavily on the generosity of ordinary members of the public.

The ACNC Charity Register contains information about Australia’s registered charities. To search for a registered charity, so you can donate to them, click here.

* All information in this article is intended for general information purposes only. Information should not be considered medical or financial advice.