Counsellor/Wellbeing

Welcome back for Term 4!

Mental Health Month is celebrated each year in the month of October in NSW. This month encourages all of us to think about our mental health and wellbeing, regardless of whether we may have a lived experience of mental illness or not. 

It also gives us the opportunity to understand the importance of good mental health in our everyday lives and encourages help seeking behaviours when needed.

This year, the theme developed by WayAhead, in consultation with communities and experts is 'We All Have A Role To Play'. 

In Australia, roughly 2 in 5 adolescents, and 1 in 5 (or 20%) of adults will experience some form of mental illness in any given year. Almost half (45%) of Australians will experience a mental illness in their lifetime. Stigma, shame, and prejudice all contribute to people feeling unable to reach out when they’re going through tough times. We all have a role to play to shift the world to be safer and more supportive for people experiencing difficulties with their mental health.

There are lots of myths, misunderstandings, and assumptions around mental health. These can all lead to stigma – a feeling that mental ill-health is something to be ashamed of, or something that should be hidden. Stigma also connects to prejudice – the judgements we make about others based on their mental health. This can become discrimination when those judgements impact what people can do and access.

We can all take a role to bust these myths, challenge stigma when we notice it, and help create a world free from mental health stigma. 

Karen Surian College/School Counsellor