October is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this year’s theme ‘Let’s Talk About It’ encourages self-reflection and open conversations about our mental health and overall wellbeing. It highlights the importance of talking about mental health to reduce and break down stigma, prioritising mental wellness in our everyday lives and taking a proactive approach to seeking help when needed.

Mental health issues, just like physical health issues, can affect anyone at any time. There’s no shame in talking about it or reaching out for some help if you need it. It’s common for people to talk about and look after their physical health, but they often don’t talk about or look after their mental health the same way. Just like it’s important to maintain our physical wellbeing, it’s also important to maintain our mental wellbeing. We all have ups and downs, and sometimes life’s challenges can become overwhelming.

If you’re feeling sad, hopeless, stressed, anxious, or losing interest in activities you usually enjoy, seeking additional support could be helpful to get you back to feeling like yourself. It’s essential to recognise that you can experience negative mental health impacts even if you don’t have a diagnosed mental disorder.

If you are unsure about what support you may need, talking to your GP could be good first step. GPs can refer patients to services in the area and can also look at other health factors that may be impacting your, or your family’s, overall wellbeing. They can also provide personalised support, referrals to specialists or mental health professionals, and ensure you receive the right care for your specific needs.

Another option is to call the Head to Health phoneline on 1800 595 212, which helps you to find free or low-cost local mental health support in the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, Lithgow and Penrith areas. These clinicians work in our region and will take the time to listen to your concerns and connect you with the most appropriate local service in your area.

It is also important to ensure young people are supported with appropriate services. Providing free and accessible mental health services is essential in helping our young people work through life’s challenges, develop healthy coping mechanisms and foster resilience for the future. We fund four headspace centres in the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, Lithgow and Penrith areas for young people aged 12-25 years.

For those who prefer to look for their own support online, help is just a click away. We have developed the Mental Health Help website which is an online directory that makes it easier to find local mental health and wellbeing services.

We also fund a range of informal services or programs available that can help with overall wellbeing.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. If your life or the life of someone you know is in danger, call emergency services on 000. For those seeking urgent mental health care, they can call the NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511, which is available 24/7 including public holidays.