World Mental Health Day

This Sunday, 10 October, marks World Mental Health Day and is a good time to make a mental health promise to focus on one small thing that helps to support your wellbeing. This might be through connecting with friends and family, or spending time on a new hobby. Our recently launched weekly wellness break on Wednesday mornings is another great place to start.

We also know that staying active is also an excellent way to improve our wellbeing and you may like to simply go for a walk, or join a free online fitness or wellness session run by ACU Sport.

This year's World Mental Health Day theme, ‘Look up, look out and look forward’, will be further explored during the month of October in the Human Resources Updates group in Workplace, with help from some of our ACU experts. Keep an eye out for the first post in the #WMHD2021 series, featuring Chris Cheers from our Melbourne Campus, providing insights on lockdown fatigue.

Learning and support opportunities

Real Talk – A conversational approach to supporting students and staff. Universities Australia and Headspace have collaborated to bring you Real Talk, a free learning program about starting a conversation about mental health and wellbeing at work and also in your personal life. Sessions will be held throughout October and November.

Lunch 'n' learn wellbeing series – Join a four-part lunchtime series focused on your health and wellbeing, presented by our employee assistance program partner AccessEAP. The next session on 20 October is Introduction to Mindfulness. Register early to join the series.

Mental health learning programs – ACU offers two learning programs: Mental Health Essentials and Mental Health Masterclass. These programs are facilitated by qualified health professionals from the Workplace Mental Health Institute. Express your interest using the links above to be notified for future session dates.

Support resources

We would also like to thank you, our colleagues, for all your efforts to look out for each other, check in and remain connected.

Please remember that, if you, a colleague or family member need support, reach out through any of the available resources:

• Employee Assistance Program – for free confidential counselling, access EAP on 1800 818 728
• ACU’s Realtime Health – an online resource where you can explore ways to enhance your health and wellbeing
• ACU Campus Ministry
• Lifeline – 13 11 14 (24 hours, 7 days a week)
• Lifeline text service – 0477 13 11 14, from 6pm to midnight (AEDT), 7 days a week
• Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 (24 hours, 7 days a week)
• Head to Health
• Black Dog Institute
• R U OK?
• Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
• Soldier On