City of Parramatta will soon no longer support this version of IE. Consider upgrading your browser now. 
Mental Health Month is celebrated each year in the month of October in NSW. This month encourages all of us to think about our mental health and wellbeing, regardless of whether we may have a lived experience of mental illness or not. It also gives us the opportunity to understand the importance of good mental health in our everyday lives and encourages help seeking behaviours when needed.
Mental Health Month Events
Self-Compassion & Self-Care for Parents
Tuesday 26 October
This online session for Mental Health Month will offer parents information, tips and strategies for looking after their self-compassion and self-care.
Book now
Mental health tips for parents of primary school children
This online session will offer parents and carers information, strategies and resources to look after the mental health of their primary school-aged children.
The presenters will be Michelle Maiuolo and Dr Melanie Mence, clinical psychologists from Therapy for Kids & Families from the Western Sydney Local Health District.
Date: Thursday 28 October
Time: 1pm – 2pm
Cost: Free
The Theme for Mental Health Month is Tune In
Tuning In means being present, being aware of what’s happening within you, and in the world around you.
Tune In to your senses – what can you sense right now? What can you feel?
Tune In to your communities – what’s happening that you can be part of, or that you can help others be part of?
Tune In to stigma – how do attitudes and understandings of mental health and wellbeing impact people’s ability to live the lives they want?
Taking a moment to Tune In can help still and focus your mind, it can help you understand what’s going on for you and others. Tuning in can help you find a new perspective, and it can help you reflect and be present.
Tuning In has been shown to help build self-awareness, help make effective choices, reduce the impact of worry, and build positive connections.
Tuning In to communities and the impact of mental health stigma can help ensure that people who need support have safe places to talk about their experiences and reach out.
Use this calendar to Tune In to Mental Health Month and help create a world we can all Tune In to.
We have a large number of resources to help support the mental health of our community. The majority of our libraries are now open (limited hours) for 'click and collect' of reservations. Unable to get to one of our libraries? We have online resources that can help.
-
For those who enjoy the more personal stories why not borrow one of these titles by real people overcoming their mental health challenges.
Learn more -
A wide variety of titles on different mental health subjects aimed at adults.
Learn more -
The transition period between childhood and adulthood can be very stressful on the mental health of young people, these books amy help to support them during this time.
Learn more -
Mental health issues can arise at any time and early intervention can help minimise future problems, these books are written for children to assist.
Learn more -
A variety of eBook & eAudio titles that can be borrowed from the comfort of home, available via our ePlatform by Wheelers app or our BorrowBox by Bolinda app.
Learn more -
A selection of streaming videos that can be accessed with your library card, for those who like to learn information by watching.
Learn more -
A free downloadable collection of colouring pages for all ages and mental health tip posters that can be printed at home.
Learn more
Useful Tips, Events & Resources from across Australia
There are lots of different ways to look after your mental health. Stuck for ideas? These ten tips are a helpful starting point.
- It might seem hard to focus on mental health and wellbeing at this time, but prioritising this is more important than ever. Making a mental health promise is a great way to remind yourself to look after your wellbeing.
- World Mental Health Day (10 October) is a little different this year, with events and get-togethers more restricted than usual. But there are still so many ways to celebrate and bring awareness. Check out these digital and printable resources you can share with friends, family, colleagues and your community during October to encourage everyone to look after their mental health.
- Tune In facts from WayAhead - how to tune in to yourself, to others, to communities, to stigma and understanding mental health concepts.
- How to be a Mental Health Ally - challenging stigma and myth busting.
- The Brain and Mind Centre of the Univeristy of Sydney is marking Mental Health Month this October. They are showcasing news, stories and events that they have been part of in the mental health space and how they work with dedicated researchers and health practitioners to improve wellbeing for all Australians.
- The Mental Health Foundation of Australia are hosting a large number of virtual events for different sectors of the community such as: youth, seniors, carers, professionals, industry, LGBTIQA+ and more. A highlight of their events the free wellness workshops on managing stress, yoga and meditation on Saturday 9 October.
- Keep an eye on our 'What's On' page at City of Parratta Libraries for our latest events.
Need Help?
- Mental Health Line - If you or someone you know needs help, the Mental Health Line offers: professional help and advice; and referrals to local mental health services. It is staffed by mental health professionals who will ask questions to determine if you or, the person you are concerned about, needs ongoing mental health care and how urgently it is needed. They can put you in contact with the most relevant mental health service for children, teens, adults and older people. The Mental Health Line is available to everyone in NSW and operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 1800 011 511.
- Mental Health Helplines - There are several organisations that provide support and education for people with mental illness and their families and carers throughout Australia.
- Counselling & Information Services - range of organisations that can provide counselling and information across Australia.
