Mental Health Week is celebrated each year around World Mental Health Day on October 10. Given how critical the early years are for lifelong brain development and functioning, learning and wellbeing, the theme for Mental Health Week 2021 in Western Australia is: Mental health starts with our children.
To address the heightened sense of anxiety families may be experiencing, Relationships Australia WA has developed a series of tip sheets covering anxiety, school refusal, trauma and being a playful parent.
We’ll be releasing a new tip sheet each day during Mental Health Week. As a free resource, we encourage you to share this with your community.
Over the past year, many families and children have been vulnerable and required additional psychological and emotional support, especially during lockdowns.
Although COVID-19 has presented challenges it has also provided opportunities for us to continue to adapt our services to ensure support is available.
Our website contains a range of mental health tip sheets and self-care resources for you to browse for support.
Senior Manager – Family Mental Health Services Janalie Nelson said many individuals and families may be experiencing extra pressure due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and feeling anxious about the uncertainty of the future.
"People may have conflicting feelings about the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, the possibility of another wave, or ongoing financial concerns, which can have an impact on people’s mental health and relationships.
We need to continue to check-in with children and young people, encouraging them to talk about their worries and concerns and also talk to them about what is going well and what they are grateful for.
It can be a small thing, like the sun shining or something that made them laugh today.”
Call us on 1300 364 277 if you need further support for you and your family.
Support for Children and Young People
Our child-focussed services aim to promote well-being from early childhood through to adolescence. Children can attend counselling from 3 years old, and our staff are trained to provide counselling that is sensitive and appropriate for the specific age, development and situation of the child or young person.
About Mental Health Week WA
Mental Health Week has been coordinated in WA by the Western Australian Association for Mental Health (WAAMH) for more than 50 years, and is supported by the Government of Western Australia, Mental Health Commission and Lotterywest, plus many community organisations.
WAAMH is proudly part of Australia's mental health promotion group which plan awareness campaigns around World Mental Health Day (10 October).