October is Mental Health Month in Australia and with the 10th of October also being World Mental Health Day, now is the perfect opportunity to start conversations, check in with the people around us and think about how we can better look after our own wellbeing.
This year, Mental Health Australia’s theme is Together We Thrive, highlighting the important role connection can play in our mental health.
Looking after your mental health doesn’t always have to mean making big changes. Sometimes, it can start with something as simple as talking to someone, making time for yourself or reaching out when you need a little extra support.
Key Points
- October is Mental Health Month, a time to raise awareness, encourage conversations and remind ourselves to look after our mental wellbeing. The 2026 theme is “Together We Thrive”, highlighting the important role connection plays in our mental health.
- Connection can look different for everyone – from catching up with friends and family to joining a community or simply having a conversation.
- Small everyday habits can support mental wellbeing, including staying connected, getting active, making time for things you enjoy and prioritising rest.
- You don’t need to wait until you’re struggling to ask for help. Reaching out early can be an important step.
- Phoenix Health members may access Mental Health Connect. Available at no extra cost to eligible Hospital Cover members, the program provides personalised support for eligible members experiencing, or at risk of developing, a mental health condition.
- Mental Health Month is a good opportunity to check in with yourself and the people around you and remember that support is available when you need it.
- send them a message or give them a call
- ask how they’re really going and give them time and the space to talk
- make plans to catch up, even if it’s just for a coffee or a walk
- listen without trying to immediately solve the problem
- encourage them to seek professional support if they’re finding things difficult.
- making time to connect with people you enjoy being around
- getting in some regular movement, even if it’s just a walk around the block
- making time activities, things or people you enjoy
- prioritising sleep and giving yourself time to rest
- talking to someone you trust when things feel difficult
- getting professional support if you need it.
Why connection matters
We all have times when life feels a little harder. Work, family, relationships, finances and other everyday pressures can affect how we feel and cope. Having people around us who we can talk to, spend time with or simply check in with can make a real difference.
Connection can look different for everyone. It might be catching up with a friend, calling a family member, joining a group or community, or having an honest conversation about how you’re feeling.
And if things aren’t feeling quite right, connecting with professional support can be another important step.
Could someone you know use a check-in?
Looking after our mental health isn’t just about taking care of ourselves. Sometimes, a simple check-in can mean a lot.
If someone in your life seems a little different, has been going through a tough time or simply hasn’t seemed like themselves, ask them if they’re ok and let them know you’re there.
You could:
You don’t need to have all the answers. Sometimes, knowing that someone cares and is willing to listen can be a good place to start. And remember, if a conversation raises concerns about someone’s immediate safety, professional help should be sought.
Small ways to look after your mental health
There’s no single way to look after your mental health. What works for you may not be something that has worked for someone else you know and might also change depending on what’s happening in your life.
Some simple things that may help include:
You don’t need to wait until you’re struggling to reach out. Sometimes, getting support early can help you feel more in control and make it easier to work through what’s going on.
Support when you need it
As a Phoenix Health member, you may have access to support through our Mental Health Connect Program.
Mental Health Connect provides personalised support for members experiencing, or at risk of developing, a mental health condition. The program is available at no extra cost to eligible Hospital Cover members who have served the two-month waiting period.
Support is provided by phone or video and starts with an assessment with a mental health nurse. Depending on your needs and goals, you may then have access to support from a team that can include a psychologist, psychiatrist, dietitian, exercise physiologist and mental health nurse.
Your dedicated mental health nurse can also help coordinate your support and connect you with local services and providers where appropriate.
Looking for some extra support?
Find out more about Mental Health Connect, eligibility requirements here.
Make time for your mental health this October
Mental Health Month is a good reminder that looking after your mental health is just as important as looking after your physical health.
This October, why not check in with yourself and the people around you? Send that message, make that phone call, catch up with a friend or take some time for yourself.
And if things have been feeling difficult, remember that you don’t have to work through it on your own. Reaching out for support can be a positive first step.
To learn more about Mental Health Month and the 2026 Together We Thrive campaign, visit Mental Health Australia’s World Mental Health Day 2026 page.
Tori Ingham 
Liz Owens