Today, Friday 10 October 2014 is World Mental Health Day (WMHD), an annual date promoting mental health awareness, education and advocacy around the globe.

World Mental Health Day underpins Mental Health Week, where 7 days of Australia-wide events, campaigns and initiatives precede and follow global Mental Health Day.

This year in Australia, World Mental Health Day encompasses three core objectives; to encourage people to seek support, to challenge and reduce the stigma around mental illness and to cultivate a connectedness within communities.

To mark World Mental Health Day, peak body Mental Health Australia are running their ‘Mental Health begins with me’ campaign, with the aim to achieve the core objectives of WMHD through this simple mantra. The focus is on awareness of self and taking ownership of your own mental health and wellbeing. You don’t have to have a mental illness to get involved; the simple but effective message applies to us all.

It’s about taking the time to look after yourself. It’s about recognising when you need to seek support. It’s about knowing yourself and what contributes to your mental health.

Get involved by visiting https://1010.org.au/promise/add and making a promise to yourself. Size doesn’t matter as long as your promise is meaningful. Writers block? No problem. You can choose from some of the pre-prepared promises or take inspiration from posts on the promise wall. You can upload a photo of yourself or something related to your promise or choose from the range of funky avatars on the site. Struggle to keep your promises? Provide your email address and Mental Health Australia can send you a copy of your promise to share with your support network to help remind you of your commitment.

In addition to rolling out the ‘Mental Health begins with me’ campaign, Mental Health Australia have been advocating to the Australian government to lead a 10 year systematic reform program of mental health in our nation. Click here to view Mental Health Australia’s seven point plan for mental health.

Make a mental health promise today to mark World Mental Health Day and comit to mental health beginning with you.

Visit https://1010.org.au/about for all the details or check out Mental Health Australia Facebook or Twitter