Make mental health and well-being for all your priority this month
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a global crisis for mental health. Estimates by the World Health Organisation put the rise in both anxiety and depressive disorders at more than 25% during the first year of the pandemic. At the same time, mental health services have been severely disrupted and the treatment gap for mental health conditions has widened.
In Australia, eight people take their lives every day. What is even more disturbing is that there is an attempted suicide every eight minutes. In addition to these alarming statistics, there are thousands of people of all ages who suffer from a wide range of mental health illnesses. This is why mental health research is so important,
Since 2000, Australian Rotary Health (ARH) has provided funding into mental illness through research project grants. Funded almost exclusively by Rotary Clubs and Rotarians around Australia, ARH are one of the largest independent mental health research funders. Over the years they have contributed more than $40m to Mental Health Research. Funds are raised through National Lift the Lid on Mental Health initiatives such as Hat Day and Lift the Lid walks.
Hat Days where communities get together and wear special hats are designed to raise funds and awareness about mental health. The ‘LIFT THE LID WALK for Mental Health’ is just that, a walk, not a race. It offers members of our communities an opportunity to ‘Lift the Lid’ on mental health and in the process, raise much needed funds for mental health research.
As Rotarians we need to raise awareness of the serious mental health issues we face in all areas of our communities including returned servicemen, schools, homes, workplaces, those with disabilities and our First Nations people.
We need to encourage people to ‘join the conversation’ about mental health and break down the stigma that continues to plague our society.
We need to find a way so people are more comfortable to discuss and seek help for their mental health issues.
Let's start by walking and talking together and LIFT THE LID on Mental Illness!