“Asking for help is not a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of strength.” — Michelle Obama

In the modern world, people still see mental health issues in a negative light and consider it a sign of weakness. However, facing a mental health problem is not a sign of weakness. Mental health is just as crucial as physical well-being. Despite the increasing mental health awareness, the mental health stigma persists, and people feel shame or hesitate to seek help. There is no shame in seeking help for your mental health well-being. Just as we get medical treatment when our body is not feeling well, we should also seek help when our mind is struggling.

Let’s explore the importance of mental health, why it is not a sign of weakness, and how online mental health services in Australia make it easy to seek help.

Understanding Mental Health Importance

Mental health affects a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behavior. It directly influences all aspects of life, including relationships with others, career life, and physical health. It is a key component of how our brain handles various situations, carries out everyday tasks, responds to stress, interacts with people, and more. That is why it is considered the flash point of leading a harmonious life.

Common Mental Health Challenges

Individuals can encounter mental health challenges at any stage of life, and these issues can be caused by various factors, including genetics, financial, biological, psychological, and environmental factors such as stressful lifestyle.

According to the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care, approximately 50% of the adult population of Australia will struggle with mental health conditions at some point in their lives. The five most common mental health issues include anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, and psychotic illnesses like schizophrenia. Each condition impacts every individual differently.

The latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) indicates that:

• 2 in 5 Australians (40%) aged 16-85 have experienced a mental disorder in their lifetime.
• Every 1 in 4 Australians is experiencing anxiety.
• Depression affects 1 in 7 people in Australia.
• About 16.67% of Australians will have suicidal thoughts in the course of their lives.
• Approximately 3.3% of people had substance use disorder.

Breaking the Stigma Around Mental Health

Our society has repeatedly associated mental health issues with character flaws. The Black Dog Institute notes that 60% of people with a mental illness do not seek help, but this may not solely be due to stigma; other factors like accessibility and awareness also play roles.

Stigma stems from a lack of mental health awareness and misinformation. It is high time people need to understand that mental health conditions are medical conditions that can be effectively treated.

Breaking the stigma around mental health is necessary as it prevents individuals from seeking treatment, impacting their relationships, employment, and self-worth. It can also increase the feelings of loneliness and social isolation. People struggling with mental health are not only viewed negatively, but they are more likely to become a victim of bullying.

“We would never tell someone with a broken leg that they should stop wallowing and get it together. We don’t consider taking medication for an infection something to be ashamed of. We shouldn’t treat mental health conditions any differently.” — Michelle Obama.

Ways to Promote Mental Health Awareness

It is necessary to speak up openly against mental health stigma and promote open conversation to normalize the importance of mental health and well-being. Multiple practical strategies exist to promote mental health understanding for the purpose of stigma reduction:

• Support people who are struggling with mental health issues.
• Encourage your loved ones to get mental health support.
• Prevent the use of words that could be offensive.
• Seek knowledge about mental health disorders and spread awareness to the people within your circle.
• Support all mental health development programs and initiatives and research projects.
• If you notice anything in the media normalizing the stigma of mental health issues, report it to the Sane StigmaWatch.

How to Seek Help for Mental Health in Australia?

It takes guts to talk about mental health problems, so asking for help is a sign of strength. If you are dealing with any mental health condition, getting help as soon as possible will result in a speedy and effective recovery. Now the question arises how to seek help. A wide range of online and offline resources exist for help.

Telehealth Mental Health Support:

At Doctor Help, our healthcare practitioners provide comprehensive mental health support. Our GPs follow Mental Health Treatment Plans tailored to each individual’s needs. We provide online consultation with licensed psychologists, mental health prescriptions through proper assessments , and online medical certificates for stress leave.

Other resources for online mental health support in Australia include:

Beyond Blue provides free support programs alongside associated resources for different mental health conditions.

Head to Health: provides online mental health services and support.

Crisis Support Services:

Lifeline: provide mental health crisis support and suicide prevention services.

Headspace: provide free support for young Australians.

Mental Health and Self-care

You can look after your mental well-being in order to prevent mental health issues by

• limiting alcohol consumption.
• quitting smoking.
• eating a balanced diet.
• Getting adequate sleep.
• engaging in physical activities.
• Giving yourself a break to recharge.

Conclusion

Mental health matters, and getting mental health assistance proves stronger than ever as a person demonstrates both mental health resilience and courage. One must seek professional help because it marks your first move toward healing and recovery. We can turn society into a mental health-friendly environment when everyone feels secure to place importance on their wellness through the recognition of mental health’s importance.

Seek help from a healthcare provider for mental issues even if you feel embarrassment or shame because such action shows your mental resilience and not weakness.

References:

• Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. (2024, May 22).
  About mental health.
• Two in five Australians have experienced a mental disorder. (n.d.). Australian Bureau of Statistics.
• Let’s Stop the Stigma – Black Dog Institute | Better Mental Health | Better Mental Health. (2022, March 13). Black Dog Institute | Better Mental Health.
• Learn about mental health – Beyond Blue. (n.d.). Beyond Blue.
• c=AU; o=The State of Queensland; ou=Health; (2025b, February 28). Understanding mental health | Health and wellbeing | Queensland Government | Queensland Government.
• Healthdirect Australia. (n.d.-b). Mental illness stigma – dealing with stigma and how to reduce it | healthdirect.