Week working to reduce stigma

By Tony Scott,
October 11, 2021

Mental Health Week is part of a national mental health campaign held in October each year and incorporating World Mental Health Day, held globally on October 10.

The purpose of the awareness week is to engage communities in activities that promote mental health and well being and also increase understanding and reduce stigma about mental illness and how it impacts on the community.

Mental Health Week in Tasmania this year will run from October 9 – 16.  

The theme for the week is ‘Awareness, Belonging, Connection’.

Awareness is about understanding the things needed to maintain and boost mental well being and knowing when to reach out for help and where to get it.

Belonging is about looking for each other, ensuring people feel safe and supported  and understanding that however they feel they are not alone and that there are others experiencing similar feelings.

Connection concerns relationships with friends and families as well as the groups, clubs and networks that help keep people happy and healthy wherever they live, work or play.

Mental Health Council of Tasmania chief executive Connie Digolis said Mental Health Week this year was a chance for all Tasmanians to consider and connect with people and communities that they rely on to help them be mentally healthy, through a range of events and activities.

“We’ve seen increasing discussions across government, community, and the media, about the impacts of the pandemic on our mental health. 

“And while it has, and continues to be, a difficult time for everyone, I think that as a result, we’ve all become more aware of how important our mental wellbeing is, and of the people and things that we rely on to maintain and boost it,” she said.

To celebrate Mental Health Week, schools, community organisations, businesses, and councils across the state are holding a variety of events and activities, which incorporate the new theme for 2021. Many of these events have been helped through grant funding provided by the Tasmanian Government and Primary Health Tasmania, and facilitated by MHCT. 

“It’s been inspiring to see the way Tasmanians have supported each other, as well as their friends and family interstate over the past 18 or so months. 

“Mental Health Week is an opportunity to celebrate the care and compassion we’ve shown for ourselves and each other during that time, and come together and connect with each other at the many events and activities happening across the state,” said Ms Digolis.

As part of the week, Tasmanians are also being encouraged to show their support by ‘Turning Tasmania Orange’. 

Orange has been chosen as the official colour for Mental Health Week in Tasmania because it’s warm, and inviting, and has a positive and uplifting influence. 

To show their support Tasmanians are being asked to add a splash of orange to their week by dressing in orange, hosting an orange morning or afternoon tea, or popping some orange light globes or decorations in their window to show that mental health and wellbeing is important to them. 

They can also share their celebrations online using the hashtags #TurnTassieOrange and #mhw2021.

Several councils across the state, including Burnie, Launceston, Devonport, Huon Valley, and Kentish Council have committed to decorating or lighting up landmarks across their towns in Orange, to show support for the week. 

People can find the program of Mental Health Week events happening across the state atwww.mhct.org/program

 A suite of short videos introducing the new Mental Health Week theme, plus other promotional resources, can be found at www.mhct.org/mhw/resources