Time to prioritize mental health
10 October 2024
This October is Mental Health Month and an opportunity to raise awareness, break down stigmas and to signify the importance of good mental health. Also, it’s a time to recognise just how common it is.
Overall, close to half (42.9%) of all Australians have experienced a mental health disorder at some time in their life (age 16 to 85 years). That’s 8.5 million of us!
More than one in five (21.5%) people have had a mental health disorder within the last 12 months.
And rates are higher in the young, with almost two in five (38.8%) people aged 16 to 24 years having had a 12-month mental health disorder.
Today, 10 October, is also World Mental Health Day and the theme this year is “Time to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace”.
So let’s talk about this workplace - the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre – and how we can better promote good mental health for our people affected by cancer, their loved ones and our staff.
A diagnosis of cancer can impact every aspect of one's life.
It can provide people with new meaning and help identify what matters most, teach people about their own resilience and strength, but it can also contribute to significant psychological distress.
A recent review highlighted that the most frequently unmet needs of those affected by cancer are anxiety, fear of cancer recurrence/progression, coping with uncertainty, worry about how cancer impacts partners, family members and friends, and addressing changes in relationships.
The psychological distress of loved ones, and family members, often parallels the distress experienced by the person affected by cancer.
A safe and healthy work environment can promote good mental health. Conversely, unhealthy work conditions such as stigma, discrimination, and poor working conditions can impact mental health, overall quality of life, and productivity at work.
We are all affected and have a role to play to promote good mental health. As Peter Mac is a community of people affected by cancer, carers and staff, we can all help to overcome mental health stigma by:
- Talking about it
Open conversation about mental health normalises it.
- Learning about mental health
Understanding mental health, signs, and symptoms helps dispel myths.
- Don’t believe the negativity about mental illness
Mental illness is not a sign of weakness. There are effective treatments.
- Connecting with others
Family, friends, community, spiritual leaders, and support groups can help people understand emotions and realise they are not alone.
- Access mental health treatments
Get the mental health treatment that you may need.
If you need mental health support or are interested in doing more to prioritise good mental health in our workplace, please see the helpful advice and resources below.
For people affected by cancer and their loved ones
- Speak with your medical and nursing team.
- Visit Cancer Mind Care, a self-help online platform ‘one-stop-shop’ for tailored mental health support for people with cancer, their support persons, clinicians and First Nations peoples. https://cancermindcare.org.au/.
- Contact the Psychosocial Oncology Program to speak with our triage worker, who can discuss mental health supports and link you with appropriate services 855 95220.
- Access other wellbeing supports at Peter Mac by visiting https://www.petermac.org/patients-and-carers/support-and-wellbeing/support-services.
For Peter Mac staff
- Seek individual help when needed or book a free appointment with a Peter Mac staff psychologist, Employee Assistance Program or speak to a peer CARE Champion.
- Learn how to create a healthy team environment by attending the Manager Essentials sessions on ‘Supporting Your Teams Wellbeing’ and ‘Health and Safety Essentials for Managers’.
- Sign up for Mental Health First Aid training and consider becoming a CARE Champion.
- Consider becoming a Critical Incident Psychological Response Leader, to provide appropriate supports to your team post incident.
- Read Peter Mac’s Employee Wellbeing Strategy and consider how you contribute to creating a mentally healthy workplace.
Additional supports
- Call Lifeline on 13 11 14. This service is 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636
- Call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 of go online to www.kidshelpline.com.au
- Call 13Yarn on 13 92 76
- Call Switchboard Victoria on 1800 184 527
By Maria Ftanou, Director of Psychosocial Oncology, and the employee wellbeing team at Health Safety and Wellbeing, People and Culture, at Peter Mac.