Mental Health Week NSW

Last Updated (Tuesday, 02 March 2010 09:47)

What is Mental Health Week NSW?

Mental Health Week NSW (MHW) is part of a national mental health promotion campaign held in early October each year. The week is funded by NSW Health.

Its main aim is to promote social and emotional wellbeing to the population in this state - encouraging people to maximise their health potential, enhancing the coping capacity of communities, families, individuals, and increasing mental health literacy.

Mental Health Week NSW - Building Resilience Campaign 2008 – 2010

Building resilience is about developing individual strengths and abilities to bounce back from challenges and setbacks. Everyone is born with the potential to develop resilience. Resilience is something we can all learn. Resilience doesn’t make problems go away, but can provide the ability to see past the challenges, enjoy life more and handle future stressors better.

Three areas that can build resilience have been chosen for the three years of the Mental Health Week campaign – 2008 - gratitude and optimism, 2009 – community participation and 2010 – connectedness.

Mental Health Week 2010: Sunday October 10 – Saturday October 16

2010 Mental Health Week Theme “Good friends help us bounce back”

This year, our focus is on ”Good friends help us bounce back”, promoting the importance of building and maintaining good friendships in the building of our resilience.  One of the best ways to deal with a tough time is to draw on the support of other people who can listen and validate our feelings. Tackling problems with others is a resourceful way to lessen our load. Often is takes several friends who can provide different kinds of support to help us bounce back.  Friendships that create love and trust, provide role models, and offer encouragement, reassurance and hope are all important in resilience building.

Key dates for your diary for Mental Health Week 2010

Stress Less Day: Wednesday, 13 October 2010

World Mental Health Day: Sunday, 10 October 2010

Launch of Mental Health Week: To be announced by March 31 2010

Monday 7 June - Starter Kit available to apply for small grants, order resources, get ideas on running your own event.

The starter kit will be available to download on our website, and distributed to all contacts via email. We are trying to reduce our carbon footprint, so if you’d like a copy please send us an email address. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it us to be added to our mailing list.

Friday 23 July - Closing date for small grant applications

Friday 20 August - Closing date for resources and merchandise orders

Friday 24 September – Events registration close

Mental Health Week 2009: "Sign up, Link in, Get involved"

In 2009 our focus was on "Sign up, Link in, Get involved" - promoting the importance of getting involved and interacting with other members of our community, as well as local clubs, organisations and services. Creating and strengthening these links, such as joining a men's shed or a sporting club, can be a useful resource to draw on during both the good and the tough times. Getting involved is another way we can build our resilience and create a richer, more connected and meaningful life.

Mental Health Week 2008: "Appreciate the little things in life"

In 2008, the theme for Mental Health Week was "Appreciate the little things in life" - promoting the value of developing positive thinking and an optimistic outlook through appreciation of the little things in life. Focusing on the positives and dwelling less on the negatives is one way we can build our emotional resilience, reduce stress and enhance mental wellbeing.