Mental Health Awareness

Your mental health matters!

“Mental health is about wellness rather than illness” – Beyond Blue

Supporting your mental health

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. So it makes sense to understand what we can do to keep mentally healthy.

  • Regular physical activity can have a profoundly positive impact on your mental health. It relieves stress, improves memory, helps you sleep better, and boosts your overall mood. And you don't have to be a fitness fanatic to reap the benefits.
  • Healthy nutrition – There is a strong link between what we eat and how we feel.  We know a poor diet can make you feel sluggish, low and increase symptoms of depression and anxiety. But now we are seeing a healthy diet (with a variety of fruit, veggies, nuts and wholegrains) can actually improve mental health. Headspace has more information on the best foods for mental health.
  • Stress Management - Stress is a process, not a diagnosis. We experience stress when there is an imbalance between the demands being made on us and our resources to cope with those demands.  Find out more at the Better Health Channel.
  • Good sleep patterns can improve your productivity, concentration and immune function as sleep restores us physically and helps us organise things in our brain.  The Sleep Health Foundation as further information and fact sheets and resources can be found here

When you need extra support

You may find at times in your life you need some extra help and there are a huge number of fantastic organisations able to provide information and services. You can also find further guidelines on the Mental Health First Aid webpage.

Supporting your mental health during COVID-19

#InThisTogether

Our lives have changed significantly since the beginning of 2020, for most COVID-19 has changed the way we live and work for now. Many people also feel overwhelmed by the constant news and amount of information about the pandemic. The important thing to know is you are not alone.

Support is available to you and your immediate family through the University’s Employee Assistant Program who provide access to counselling support. You can contact them on 1300 66 77 00 (24/7).

Find helpful Information sheets from Access Wellbeing Series.