While our lives are returning to a new kind of normal, there is still a cultural stigma around depression and anxiety. That’s why it’s so important we keep the conversation going and checking in on friends, family and work colleagues, even during the good times.
It’s an unfortunate fact that our mates are more likely to stay silent about their struggles with mental health issues. On average one in eight men will experience depression and one in five men will experience anxiety at some stage of their lives. Our brothers need us, and keeping connected is the scaffolding that holds it all together.
When we connect with others, we feel better. We just do, and we know it. While it doesn’t take much to keep in contact with mates, sometimes just kicking off the conversation around mental health can be the hardest.
That’s why Australia Post launched their “When we connect, we feel better” stamps last year to give the community an easy way to stay in touch. It’s a great way to help mates open up to one another in private, at home, without judgement. The stamps are designed in pairs to help you let someone know that you’re thinking of them. Use one to send a letter to check in on a family member, friend, co-worker or person in need and pop another stamp in with the letter so it’s a little easier to keep the conversation – and correspondence – flowing.
Just like Australia Post has picked up the baton to help their partner Beyond Blue deliver information to support mental health and wellbeing in our communities – from remote outback towns to coastline city dwellers – we need to keep rallying and do our bit to keep it top of mind amongst our mates.
While we do that, the ongoing partnership will continue to equip Aussies with information and resources to help tackle tough days.
Working together, we can lead a positive change in the way we keep the conversation going surrounding mental health and, moving forward, keep it a priority amongst our mates.
Australia Post knows that when we connect we feel better. Go to auspost.com.au/mentalhealth to learn more about their commitment to mental health.
Beyond Blue provides free information, advice and support to help all people in Australia achieve their best possible mental health. For more information, visit beyondblue.org.au
