Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs Service staff recognise RU OK?Day 2026.
Summary
Central West residents are being urged to take the opportunity of this year’s Mental Health Week from 3–11 October to take stock of their mental health and look after others.
Central West residents are being urged to take the opportunity of this year’s Mental Health Week from 3–11 October to take stock of their mental health and look after others.
The Central West Hospital and Health Service’s Mental Health, Alcohol and other Drugs Service is planning multiple events to mark the week in Longreach, with World Mental Health Day also to be observed on 10 October.
Mental Health Week is coordinated annually by the Queensland Alliance for Mental Health (QAMH) in partnership with the Queensland Mental Health Commission.
Central West Health Acting Nursing Director Mental Health Kate Cross said this year’s Mental Health Week theme was: “Build Community, Build Wellbeing’’.
The “Build Community, Build Wellbeing’’ theme focuses on three key areas:
- strong communities help people thrive
- everyone can help create communities where people thrive
- mental health support goes beyond clinics and healthcare services.
Ms Cross said living and working in rural and remote communities could be stressful at times.
“So, the core focus of this year’s theme is bringing communities together through local events,
conversations, and activities to raise awareness of mental health challenges and reduce stigma.’’
Ms Cross said almost half of Australians were likely to be diagnosed with a mental illness in their lifetime.|
“That means at least half the population knows someone living with or having experienced a mental health issue,’’ she said.
“However, mental health is something every person has – and it’s important to know that everyone’s mental health varies during their life and can move back and forth along their own personal range.’’
Ms Cross said Queensland Mental Health Week provided an opportunity to promote positive mental health and wellbeing to Central West communities and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.
She said pressures such as social isolation, financial hardship, lack of employment opportunities, and natural disasters could have a major impact on a person’s mental health and wellbeing and their ability to
connect with others.
“This can lead to anxiety, depression or other health related issues,’’ she said.
“But the phrase mental health can turn people off, so we really need to ensure the community are engaged and able to have conversations about it.
“Some groups experience much higher rates of mental health issues, including males, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and those living in rural and remote communities.
“Our emotional health is just as important as our physical health, so, it’s vital we strive to care for ourselves both mentally and physically.
“Our mental health service works with people on an ongoing basis to provide psychiatric treatment and support if they have a serious mental illness.
They coordinate with psychiatrists to assist and or manage medications and other treatments.
“They will also refer people to other services for additional assistance with psycho-social issues as needed.’’
- Central West Health will mark Mental Health Week with stalls and activities at the Hub, 107 Eagle
St, from 9 am to 12 noon on 9 October.
- A free pottery class will be open to the public from 1 to 4 pm on Sunday 11 October.
- Further Mental Health Week activities will be promoted on Central West Health social media.
Ms Cross said having positive mental wellbeing had many benefits, one of which was building long-term resilience and connections which could act as a buffer against the risk of mental illness.
A good start is to use the six building blocks of mental wellbeing, as detailed on the Queensland Government’s “Dear Mind” website:
- Get healthy: Be active, eat well and get enough sleep.
- Keep learning: Challenge your mind and seek out new things.
- Show kindness: Give back, show gratitude, and bring joy to others’ lives.
- Connect more: Develop relationships, stay connected and care for each other.
- Take notice: Be mindful. Stay in the moment. Experience the world around you.
- Embrace nature: Step outside, connect with the natural world and take care of the planet.
“Engaging with each of these building blocks can help build positive mental wellbeing and resilience, ‘’ Ms Cross said.
“Remember, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, lonely or anxious, reach out and talk to someone.
“You could reach out to a supportive relative or friend and connect by sending a text or message on
social media, inviting someone over for a coffee or making a phone call.”
Some useful links and contacts:
- For mental health support 24/7 phone 1300 MH CALL (1300 64 2255).
- Dear Mind: https://mentalwellbeing.initiatives.qld.gov.au/
- Head to Health: Call 1800 595 212 or visit: https://www.headtohealth.gov.au/
- Lifeline on 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au
- 13 YARN (13 92 76) or 13yarn.org.au
- Kids Help Line 1800 551 800 or kidshelpline.com.au
- QLife: 1800 184 527 or https://qlife.org.au/
- Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36 or beyondblue.org.au
- Headspace: 1800 650 890 or headspace.org.au
- Mensline Australia on 1300 789 978
- Sane Helpline 1800 18SANE (7263) or at www.sane.org
- Suicide Callback Service on 1300 659 467
- Some valuable resources: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/mental-health/carers/index.html
- If you are concerned about your own or someone else’s alcohol or other drug use, call Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS), a free, 24/7 anonymous and confidential telephone counselling and information service on 1800 177 833 or visit: https://adis.health.qld.gov.au/