Share the journey

Mental illness is very common. In fact, according to the Black Dog Institute, one in five (20%) Australians aged 16-85 experience a mental illness in any year. The most common mental illnesses are depressive, anxiety and substance use disorder.

Mental Health Month is recognised and celebrated throughout the month of October in NSW. The aim of the campaign is to promote the importance of early intervention practices for positive mental health and wellbeing and reduce the stigma associated with mental health. This year the theme of Mental Health Month is ‘Share the Journey’. 

Share the Journey is about connecting with others to improve your mental health and build resilience. The campaign focuses on the importance of social connections and good relationships to combat loneliness and build resilience in trying times. It is an opportunity to share your mental health story with friends, family and others close to you so each and every one of us can feel connected, valued and loved by others. Connecting gives us a sense of security, support, purpose and happiness. By sharing your journey, you also pave the way for others to do the same as this breaks down the stigma surrounding mental health.

On Tuesday, 24 October, the Taree North Coast TAFE Campus is holding an awareness event for Mental Health Month. Members of a team of CatholicCare employees from across our various divisions, including Mental Wellbeing, Disabilities Services and Early Intervention, will be participating in the event and sharing their journey, connecting with others in the community.  Members of the public are encouraged to attend the event and there will be loads of stalls for them to visit with information, activities and giveaways.

As an organisation, CatholicCare aims to shed light on mental health and wellbeing, to raise awareness, to encourage people to seek support and information and to develop connections and positive relationships with others. In doing so, it helps us all to enjoy the good times in our lives and overcome the difficult experiences we face.

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