This Saturday 10th October, the World Health Organization will, for the first time ever, host a global online advocacy event on mental health. At this event—the Big Event for Mental Health—world leaders, mental health experts and celebrity guests will join WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, to tell the world what we can all do to improve our mental health and how we can help make sure that quality mental health care is available to everyone who needs it.
During the event, which will be streamed live on major social media channels, you will:
- learn how WHO, together with our partners, is helping improve the mental health of people in countries throughout the world;
- hear from national and international leaders about why they are making mental health a priority;
- hear first-hand why internationally-renowned artists and sportsmen and women have become mental health advocates and listen to their advice for those who are struggling; and
- listen to critically-acclaimed musicians perform some of their most popular music.
In the lead-up to World Mental Health Day and the Big Event, we invite you to join the campaign, sharing messages, creating posts showing how you invest in your own mental health, and asking your questions of special guests through live Q and A sessions on social media.
Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Twitter or Tik-Tok to find out more.
Mental Health Australia is also running a campaign, calling on you to make a #mentalhealthpromise. Your Mental Health Promise is a pledge to look after your own mental health, that of a friend, or a loved one. You can make your pledge here.
If you’re stuck for ideas, here are 20 suggestions from our wonderful Student Access & Inclusion Team that you could try out!
- Pay it Backward: buy coffee for the person behind you in line.
- Compliment the first three people you talk to today.
- Send a positive text message to five different people right now.
- Post inspirational sticky notes around your neighbourhood, office, school, etc.
- Donate old towels or blankets to an animal shelter.
- Let someone go in front of you in line who only has a few items.
- Leave a gas gift card at a gas pump.
- Throw a party to celebrate someone just for being who they are, which is awesome.
- Write a recommendation for co-worker or connection.
- Leave coins at the laundromat.
- Encounter someone in customer service who is especially kind? Take an extra five minutes to tell their manager.
- Write a kind message on your mirror with a dry erase marker for yourself, your significant other or a family member.
- Place a positive body image notes in jean pockets at a department store.
- Smile at five strangers.
- Set an alarm on your phone for three different times during the day. In those moments, do something kind for someone else.
- Send a gratitude email to a co-worker who deserves more recognition.
- Practice self-kindness and spend 30 minutes doing something you love today.
- Give away stuff for free on your local ‘buy swap sell’.
- Write a gratitude list in the morning and again in the evening.
- Know parents who could use a night out? Offer to babysit for free.
