Mental health is an important topic to discuss all around the world. It’s been encouraging to see an increase in resources and support over recent years. If you are in Australia, NZ or NL (the Netherlands), you may like to take a look at this information for yourself or those around you.
Australia
Mental Health Australia is the peak, national non-government organisation representing and promoting the interests of the Australian mental health sector and committed to achieving better mental health for all Australians: https://mhaustralia.org/about-us
R U OK Day is a suicide prevention campaign based around the concept that a conversation could save a life: https://www.ruok.org.au
Their website explains that they have created resources to inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with the people around them and start a conversation with anyone who may be struggling with life.
They say you don’t need to be an expert to reach out to friends, you can simply start a conversation with these four steps:
- 1. Ask R U OK?
- 2. Listen
- 3. Encourage action
- 4. Check in
New Zealand
How fabulous are these stickers that a friend shared with me in Auckland recently:
They are part of an awesome campaign: Ways to Wellbeing. Take a look at this link below for a beautiful guide in both English and Maori by the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand.
https://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/home/ways-to-wellbeing/
The Netherlands
GGZ Nederland is de brancheorganisatie voor instellingen in de geestelijke gezondheidszorg en verslavingszorg: https://www.ggznederland.nl
GGZ in the Netherlands of course has Dutch language information available via the link above, but if you’re an English speaker requiring mental health care, you can find some information here:
- GGZ English information: https://www.ggznederland.nl/pagina/english
- Mental Health Europe: https://www.mhe-sme.org
- Xpat.nl article: https://www.xpat.nl/expat-netherlands/health-care/mental-health-care-nl/
- ACCESS article: https://www.xpat.nl/expat-netherlands/health-care/mental-health-care-nl/
- Government.nl information: https://www.government.nl/topics/mental-health-services/question-and-answer/help-for-mental-health-problems
Dutch Australian 