Mental health awareness on R U OK? Day and World Suicide Prevention Day
The article was originally posted on LinkedIn by Barry Sandison, AIHW CEO.
Today is #WorldSuicidePreventionDay and #RUOKDay. 2020 has been a challenging year for everyone and circumstances have made it even more important for us to stay connected and support those around us. It’s an important reminder for us to take the time to check in on our friends, family and colleagues.
It can be difficult to know what you as an individual or collectively as an organisation can do about mental health. Here at the AIHW we deal in data, so it’s no surprise that I am an advocate for the role that mental health data and evidence can play in improving the services provided to those experiencing mental health issues.
Our most recent report in the mental health space, Mental health services in Australia, provides an overview of data about the national response of the health and welfare system to the mental health care needs of Australians. By understanding these issues, we can continue to find ways to support Australians dealing with mental disorders. We also recently released a snapshot on mental health as part of Australia’s health 2020.
Next month also marks Anxiety and Depression Awareness Month and Mental Health Month NSW, so let’s keep the conversation going. I’m proud to be an advocate of support services for people with lived experiences of mental health issues.
For more information on #RUOKDay2020, please visit their website.
If you or someone you know needs help please call:
- Lifeline on 13 11 14
- Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
- Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36
- Headspace on 1800 650 890
- Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
- MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
- QLife on 1800 184 527