World Mental Health Day
- Alex Adorno
- Oct 9, 2020
- 3 min read
This year wasn't the year anyone wanted. Having been through this global trauma of fighting a virus, world leaders threatening war and various things like civil unrest, distructive weather and risk of homelessness I feel we could all use a break.
For World Mental Health Day this year, I took my own advice and temporarily retreated from my daily stresses by holding a socially distanced picnic in the park with my friends, Nicole and Rebekah. We made a mess creating marbled masterpieces with shaving cream and food dye. Nobody's hands came out unscathed by blue dye and we were covered in mosquito bites by the end but it was fun nonetheless. It was one of the first times this year that I felt level again and that things could be normal, though it is hard now. It's a small thing to play with art while connecting with friends but that connection can save a life.
Sometimes the distraction when you are struggling to get you through. Other times, you may want to reach out for professional help. I've attached some resources for those in Australia who may need help mentally, physically and financially at this time. As I find more resources, I will add more links to this blog post. I love you all, you are worthy and I am glad you are on this planet with me (though we may never meet). We can get through this together. One step, one moment at a time. Stay safe <3
RESOURCES:
beyondblue aims to increase awareness of depression and anxiety and reduce stigma. Call 1300 22 4636, 24 hours / 7 days a week. https://www.beyondblue.org.au/home
Blue Knot Foundation Helpline (formerly ASCA Professional Support Line) provides help, information, support or referral for adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse, their partners, family and friends, health professionals and anyone in the workplace working with people who have experienced childhood trauma and abuse. Call 1300 657 380, 9am-5pm AEST / 7 days a week.
Butterfly Foundation's National Helpline, ED HOPE, is a free, confidential service that provides information, counselling and treatment referral for people with eating disorders, and body image and related issues. Call 1800 33 4673, 8am-midnight AEST / 7 days a week.
eheadspace provides mental health and wellbeing support, information and services to young people aged 12 to 25 years and their families. Call 1800 650 890, 9am-1am AEST / 7 days a week. https://headspace.org.au/eheadspace/
Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free 24/7 confidential and private counseling service specifically for children and young people aged 5 to 25. Call 1800 55 1800.
Lifeline provides 24-hour crisis counselling, support groups and suicide prevention services. Call 13 11 14.
MensLine Australia is a professional telephone and online support and information service for Australian men. Call 1300 78 99 78, 24 hours / 7 days a week.
MindSpot is a free telephone and online service for people with stress, worry, anxiety, low mood or depression. It provides online assessment and treatment for anxiety and depression. MindSpot is not an emergency or instant response service. Call 1800 61 44 34 AEST, 8am-8pm (Mon-Fri), 8am-6pm (Sat).
QLife provides nationwide telephone and web-based services to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people of all ages. Call 1800 184 527, 3pm-12am (midnight) AEST / 7 days a week.
PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) provides a national telephone information, counselling and referral service staffed by trained volunteers, professional counsellors and supervising staff. Many helpline counsellors have had their own experience of perinatal depression or anxiety. Call 1300 726 306, 9am-7:30pm AEST (Mon-Fri).
SANE Australia provides support, training and education enabling those with a mental illness to lead a better life. Call 1800 18 7263, 10am-10pm AEST (Mon-Fri).
Suicide Call Back Service provides 24/7 support if you or someone you know is feeling suicidal. Call 1300 659 467.
Open Arms — Veterans and Families Counselling provides 24/7 free and confidential, nationwide counselling and support for war and service-related mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance and anger. Call 1800 011 046.
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