Dear Readers
Welcome to the Spring edition of Mental Health Matters. October is Mental Health Month and we launched the month with a heart-warming lunch at Parliament House. The focus of the launch was the announcement of the Mental Health Matters Awards. There were 10 amazing award recipients, all doing innovative work in their communities and showing excellent results. Congratulations to all the winners.
The month is an opportunity to encourage you to reflect on your own mental health and wellbeing and the wellbeing of those close to you. This year’s theme is Share the Journey, urging you to focus on the importance of social connections in your journey to better mental health and greater resilience. Research tells us that feeling connected, valued and loved by others gives us a sense of security, support, purpose and happiness. Close connections and good relationships with others allows us to enjoy the good times and helps us to deal with difficult experiences.
I encourage you to check out the Mental Health Month website www.mentalhealthmonth.org.au. There you will find details on the wonderful work of the award winners, information on why you should Share the Journey with others and a calendar of Mental Health Month events covering all areas of NSW.
Remember to take time for yourself and give time to others. It will pay dividends.
Liz Priestley
