Every year, October is an opportunity to celebrate Mental Health Month in NSW. Everyone is encouraged to think about their mental health and wellbeing. It also provides an opportunity to recognise the importance of good mental health, and encourage people to seek help when they need it.

This year, the theme of Mental Health Month is ‘Tune In’. This is aimed at encouraging everyone to be present and aware of what is happening within themselves as well as in the surroundings, in the community and understand the impact of attitudes.

It is estimated that 45% of people aged 16-85 will experience a mental disorder at some time in their life.

By taking a moment to ‘Tune In’, everyone can have a chance to focus their mind and gain insight about what is going on personally and for others. By tuning in, people can find new perspectives and have an opportunity for personal reflection which can help build self-awareness and build positive connections.

To get involved this October by:

• Tuning into your senses – your feelings
• Tuning into your communities
• Tuning into stigma
• Hosting an event
• Raising awareness on social media

For more information, visit: http://mentalhealthmonth.wayahead.org.au/about-mental-health-month/

ONE DAY: ONE FOCUS: ENDING POLIO 

Poliomyelitis is a highly infectious disease that most commonly affects children under the age of 5. Most know it as polio virus. The virus is spread from person to person, typically through contaminated water. It can attack the nervous system, and in some instances, lead to paralysis. Although there is no cure, there is a safe and effective vaccine.

“Cases due to wild poliovirus have decreased by over 99% since 1988, from an estimated 350 000 cases then, to 33 reported cases in 2018.”

Once polio is eradicated, the world can celebrate the delivery of a major global public good that will benefit all people equally, no matter where they live.

Continue this fall in Polio by:

• Volunteering
• Raising awareness on social media
• Organising a fundraiser
• Donating

For more information, visit: https://www.endpolio.org/world-polio-day

This year, Limb Difference Awareness Week is running from 19 – 25 October and serves as an opportunity to raise awareness of people living with a hand or limb difference. The aim of this week is to promote inclusion and inspire others through the stories shared. Limb Difference Awareness Week is hosted by the Aussie Hands Foundation, who work to provide support, information and encouragement to people born with a hand difference.

As of December 2019, there were 602 children registered on the Australian Hand Difference Register.

Get involved this October by:

• Making a donation
• Raising awareness on social media
• Volunteering with the organisation
• Becoming a sponsor

For more information, visit: https://www.aussiehands.org/limb-difference-awareness-week/

World Osteoporosis Day is an initiative designed to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining good bone health. Osteoporosis causes bones to break easily from becoming weak and fragile. Even something like a minor fall, a bump, a sneeze, or a sudden movement could cause a break. Fractures caused by osteoporosis can cause major pain, long-term disability and life-threatening situations.

“Worldwide, one in three women and one in five men aged 50 years and over will suffer an osteoporotic fracture.”

With over 1 million Australian’s affected by osteoporosis, it impacts both men and women and most commonly occurs in those over 50. Early detection is important in order to help manage bone health and prevent fractures.

To get involved this October:

• Raise awareness on social media
• Donate to the foundation
• Volunteer

For more information, visit: 
http://worldosteoporosisday.org/
https://www.osteoporosis.org.au/world-osteoporosis-day

Waitara Family Medical Practice has an on-site podiatrist available for a range of services, including:

• Toenail care
• Nail disorders
• Corns & calluses
• Dry feet
• Cracked heels
• Flat feet
• High arch feet
• Foot orthotics
• Foot & ankle pain
• Sports injuries
• Wound care
• Diabetic foot care
• Children’s feet

To make an appointment with the podiatrist, please call reception on 8038 1070.

Safe Work Australia is the national policy agency responsible for work health and safety, and workers’ compensation arrangements in Australia. Everyone should be safe at work – no injury or death is acceptable. During October, businesses, employers and workers across Australia are encouraged to join National Safe Work Month and commit to creating safe and healthy workplaces for all. This year the theme is ‘Work Health and Safety through COVID-19‘.

“Around 107,000 people made a workers’ compensation claim for serious injury or illness in 2017-18.”

2020 has seen workplaces having to quickly adapt their practices and procedures to address the WHS concerns and risks arising from COVID-19. Australian businesses, employers and workers have all experienced the wide-reaching impacts of COVID-19, National Safe Work Month provides an opportunity to acknowledge the challenges experienced and work towards ensuring all workplaces are safe and healthy.

Get involved this October by:

• Organising a fundraiser
• Taking care of yourself and colleagues in the workplace
• Raising awareness on social media

For more information, visit:
https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/national-safe-work-month

World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year, with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and focusing on ensuring communities recognise how they can contribute to a mentally healthy society. This year the theme is ‘Mental Health for All: Greater Investment – Greater Access’, calling on the global community to make mental health a reality for everyone, everywhere.

“One in five (20%) Australians aged 16-85 experience a mental illness in any year.”

Australian campaign, Do You See What I See? challenges attitudes about mental illness and encourages everyone to view mental health in a more positive light. By doing so, Australians can work together to reduce stigma and lay the foundation for more people to seek the help and support they deserve. The reality is, the vast majority of people affected by mental illness are able to lead independent and contributing lives in the community, with the right treatment and support.

Get involved this October by:

• Informing the community
• Taking care of your mental health
• Raising awareness on social media
• Volunteering

For more information, visit:https://1010.org.au/
https://wfmh.global/world-mental-health-day-2020/

Cerebral Palsy is widely misunderstood despite being the most common childhood physical disability, with 17 million people across the world living with this condition. World Cerebral Palsy Day offers an opportunity to raise awareness and help communities look beyond the disability. The global goal is to ensure that children and adults with cerebral palsy have the same rights, access and opportunities as anyone else in our society.

1 in 700 Australian babies is diagnosed with cerebral palsy and of this, 1 in 3 will be unable to walk.

Cerebral Palsy is a complex, lifelong disability that primarily affects movement – but individuals may also have visual, learning, hearing, speech, epilepsy and intellectual impairments. Cerebral Palsy can be mild (such as a weakness in one hand) to severe (where people have little control over movements or speech and may need 24 hour assistance).

Get involved this October by:

• Volunteering with the foundation
• Donating
• Organising a fundraiser
• Raising awareness on social media
• Sharing your story

For more information, visit: https://worldcpday.org/

The Great Cycle Challenge started in 2013, and after just 7 years, the event has grown to become one of the biggest cycling events in Australia. People of all ages, abilities and from every state across the country set themselves a personal riding goal and challenge themselves to pedal throughout October to fight kids’ cancer. 

“Over 600 Australian children are diagnosed with cancer every year and sadly, 3 children die every week.”

This initiative from the Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI) allows individuals to contribute in the fight against cancer by riding and raising money. The funds enable CMRI to further research into children’s genetic diseases, birth defects and childhood cancer to find better treatments and cures, so Australian kids can live healthy and fun-filled lives.

Get involved this October by:

• Signing up for the Great Cycle Challenge
• Sponsoring a friend or a team
• Raising awareness on social media

For more information, visit:
https://greatcyclechallenge.com.au/

Every year on 29th September, the World Heart Federation promotes World Heart Day, calling everyone to promote heart health. This year’s campaign is asking the world to ‘use heart to beat cardiovascular disease’. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a group of disorders that affect the heart and blood vessels.

“CVDs are the number 1 cause of death globally: more people die annually from CVDs than from any other cause.” (WHO)

‘Using heart’ this year is about using your head, your influence, and your compassion to live a healthy life, promote healthy habits in the community and look for ways to support the most vulnerable members of society.

Get involved this September by:

• Spreading awareness of heart health to friends and family
• Undertaking activities which promote heart health
• Raising awareness on social media

For more information, visit:
https://www.world-heart-federation.org/world-heart-day/world-heart-day-2020/