Awareness, belonging, connection: Queensland Mental Health Week 2023

Awareness, belonging, and connection: Queensland Mental Health Week 2023

Queensland Mental Health Week 2023 began on Saturday and its theme for the year is again awareness, belonging, and connection—three vital ingredients for positive mental wellbeing.

Life can be unpredictable, and challenges can arise at any time. But when you understand the importance of awareness, belonging, and connection, you are better equipped to cope with whatever comes your way.

The state of mental wellbeing in Queensland:

Mental illness does not discriminate - it can affect anyone. However, there are risk factors that can make you more susceptible to mental health challenges including:

• biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry
• life experiences
• family history of mental health problems
• lifestyle - including where you live

 

One in five Australians, aged 16 to 85, experienced a mental disorder in the past 12 months, and two in five have experienced one in their lifetime.

Tragically, suicide is the leading cause of death for Queenslanders aged 15 to 44. Queensland has the second highest rate of suicide in Australia, accounting for 24.2% of all deaths by suicide registered nationally.

Understanding the state of mental health in Queensland can help us to appreciate the importance of awareness, belonging, and connection.

Awareness: 

Mental health awareness is the first step to positive wellbeing.

It's about understanding your emotions, identifying when something isn't right, and seeking the right help when needed.

Queensland has made progress in promoting mental health awareness, with many initiatives and campaigns aimed at reducing stigma and encouraging open conversations.

selectability is one of these services supporting regional Queenslanders, providing mental wellbeing support tailored to each community's unique needs.

This includes offering mental health education to help reduce stigma, raise awareness, and bust myths.

 

Belonging

Belonging is a fundamental human need that plays a vital role in our mental health. Feeling connected to others, whether through family, friends, or community, provides a safety net during tough times.

Queensland is known for its strong sense of community, and selectability supports this. A community approach to mental wellbeing services fosters connections with peers and community, reduces loneliness, and contributes to suicide prevention.

A sense of belonging means looking out for each other, ensuring you feel safe and supported, and understanding that you are not alone, no matter how you feel.

 

Connection

Connection is the foundation of belonging. It speaks to the value placed on the quality and quantity of positive relationships with others.

Connection to community increases a sense of belonging and purpose. Supporting more services that connect people to their community will decrease feelings of loneliness and improve mental wellbeing.

One great example of how community involvement can help to reduce loneliness and improve mental wellbeing is selectability's BikeShed program. Programs like these provide a safe and inclusive space for people to connect with others, work on projects, and ride bikes together. This helps to build relationships and create a sense of belonging, which can be very important if you are feeling lonely or isolated.

When you build strong connections with others, you create a support system that can help build resilience to cope with life's challenges. Queensland has a wealth of mental health services, and selectability delivers vital mental wellbeing programs in partnership with state and federal governments to connect people to their communities and existing medical services.

Mental wellbeing in Queensland is an issue that concerns everyone. Statistics show that many Queenslanders are facing challenges with their mental wellbeing, however by promoting awareness, fostering a sense of belonging, and nurturing connections, we can create a brighter future for all.  

Don't be afraid to seek professional help if you need it.

Help is available

If you or someone you care about is in immediate need of support, please contact:

•       Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
•       Lifeline 13 11 14
•       Kids Helpline 1800 551 800
•       Standby - Support After Suicide 0438 648 268