- WA Mental Health Week opens with community fair in Geraldton
- 2024 theme of WA Mental Health Week is 'Empowering communities, thriving workforces: A journey towards investing in our mental health'
- Cook Labor Government leading comprehensive approach to elevating mental health and wellbeing in the workplace
WA Mental Health Week 2024 officially opens today, kicking off with a community fair day in Geraldton.
The community fair day is a free day out for people of all ages featuring games, activities, and live entertainment.
Multiple events will be held across the State throughout the week, with people, communities, and workplaces encouraged to take part or organise their own events to help promote the importance of mental health and wellbeing.
The theme of the week, 'Empowering communities, thriving workforces: A journey towards investing in our mental health', aims to celebrate the stories of people with lived experience, and help communities and workplaces feel empowered to take ownership of mental health and wellbeing.
People spend a significant amount of time at their workplaces, so the Cook Labor Government has been implementing a comprehensive approach to support mental health and wellbeing where people work. This includes:
- TheThink Mental Healthprogram which supports Western Australians to gain and maintain their mental health and wellbeing through connecting with the best information, supports, and services;
- TheMental Wellbeing Guidewhich provides practical steps for Local and State Governments, communities, non-government organisations, and private organisations to increase mental health and wellbeing in their workplaces;
- FundingThrive at Work in Mining Masterclassesfor the mining industry to support companies at various stages of their journey towards building a workplace that promotes mental health and wellbeing; and
- Toolkits specifically created for public sector agencies with first responders that provide practical guidelines for implementing workplace mental health prevention strategies.
Supported by the Mental Health Commission, WA Mental Health Week runs from 5-12 October 2024.
As stated by Mental Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"Mental health affects us all. Around one-in-two people in Australia will have a mental health issue during their lifetime.
"We all need to play our part in supporting those around us and promoting ways to look after our mental health and wellbeing.
"I encourage people to prioritise their mental health and wellbeing, check in on their colleagues, and seek help when it is needed to help our communities and workplaces thrive."
