Awareness of mental health and the importance of seeking support is slowly on the rise, but there’s much more we can do to move the conversation forward. Today, 1 in 5 Australians experience a mental illness each year and 50% of those won’t see professional help.
October is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Able Foods is proudly participating in One Foot Forward. Together, we are walking, running or rolling in solidarity with Australians living with mental illness. It’s an opportunity to show them that they’re not alone, as well as to fundraise for vital mental health research.
This virtual walking challenge is organised by the Black Dog Institute, a globally renowned not-for-profit mental health research institute that is connected to UNSW Sydney.
At Able Foods, we have two teams, The Strollin’ Stones and The UnstopABLES, vying for the spot of most kilometres walked (or ran, swam, or cycled!). From lunch break walks to big weekend runs and rides, we’re working our way up to our goal of 1,664km moved. We’re only halfway into the month, and we’re already at 936KM collectively!
The team also uses the month to share facts on mental health and ways to support your wellbeing (Such as this 10 minute meditation).
What mental health means to us at Able Foods
Mental Health awareness is more than just a month-long celebration at Able Foods. We believe that taking care of mental health is not up to individuals alone, but must be supported by wider systems, including the workplace.
Year-round, we support our team members to receive mental health first aid training, and have dedicated mental health officers who offer peer support. We work together to remove the stigma surrounding discussing mental health and seeking support in various forms.
We also have allowances for mental health leave that can be taken with no questions asked and offer our team access to an employee assistance program to support with proactive mental health coaching or counselling.
The Able Foods team out on a lunch time stoll in their One Foot Forward gear.
Lend a hand
If you’re interested in supporting our fundraising goal this October, you can lend a hand by donating to our One Foot Forward page.
Together, we can create better mental health for all Australians.
Reach out
If you or a loved one is experiencing poor mental health and is in immediate danger, contact the following crisis services:
- Emergency 000
- Lifeline 13 11 14
- Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
- MensLine 1300 78 99 78
- Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
