World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year, with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health.

“Half of all mental illness begins by the age of 14, but most cases go undetected and untreated”

“Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds.”

The Day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.

Get involved this October by:

• Informing the community
• Taking care of your mental health
• Raising awareness on social media
• Volunteering

For more information: 
https://1010.org.au/

World Cerebral Palsy Day is a movement of people with cerebral palsy and their families, and the organisations that support them, in more than 65 countries. The vision is to ensure that children and adults with cerebral palsy (CP) have the same rights, access and opportunities as anyone else in our society. It is only together, that we can make that happen.

“There are 17 million people across the world living with cerebral palsy (CP).”

Get involved this October by:

• Volunteering with the foundation
• Donating
• Organising a fundraiser
• Raising awareness on social media
• Sharing your story

For more information, visit: https://worldcpday.org/

Great Cycle Challenge started in 2013, and after just 6 years, the event has grown to become one of the biggest cycling events in Australia.

People of all ages, abilities and from every state across the country set themselves a personal riding goal and challenge themselves to pedal throughout October to fight kids’ cancer. 

Why? Because cancer is the largest killer of children from disease in Australia. Over 600 Australian children are diagnosed with cancer every year and sadly, 3 children die every week.

Riding and raising money is a chance to give these kids the brighter futures they deserve, and we believe that any one individual can make their personal impact to fight cancer and save little lives.

Get involved this October by signing up for the Great Cycle Challenge!!

For more information, visit:
https://greatcyclechallenge.com.au/

The Foot Health Month campaign seeks to remind the public about the significance of good foot health and encourage people to seek more information about the services that podiatrists offer.

Over the years, your feet can clock up some serious kilometres, taking a significant toll on the condition of your feet. They can carry a lot of weight and keep you going throughout your day but sometimes we forget how essential it is to take care of our feet. 

Untreated foot problems cost our healthcare system millions of dollars, and can have a hugely detrimental effect on a person’s lifestyle and livelihood.

Around 40 percent of Australian will experience some form of foot problems in their lifetime.

Get involved this October by:

• Taking care of your feet
• Raising awareness on social media
• Informing family and friends

For more information, visit:
www.apodc.com.au/

Dementia Awareness Month is Dementia Australia’s national awareness-raising campaign held every year throughout September.

Its aim is to encourage all Australians to become more aware of dementia, to get a better understanding of what it is like to live with dementia and how we can support people living with dementia.

There are many small actions people can take to create a big difference for people impacted by dementia, their families and carers.

“Dementia is the second leading cause of death of Australians contributing to 5.4% of all deaths in males and 10.6% of all deaths in females each year”

Get involved this September by:

• Organising your own fundraiser
• Raising awareness on social media
• Donating to the foundation

For more information, visit:
https://www.dementia.org.au/nsw/dementia-awareness-month

Liptember is a campaign  dedicated to raising funds and awareness for women’s mental health whilst informing the community of specific women’s mental health research and support programs.

“One in three Australian women will suffer depression or anxiety during their lifetime.”

“Postnatal depression affects 15% of women within the first year after childbirth.”

Get involved this September by:

• Purchasing a Liptember lipstick from a participating store
• Volunteering with the foundation
• Organising your own fundraiser
• Raising awareness on social media

For more information, visit: https://www.liptember.com.au/

The Heart Foundation saves lives and improves health through funding world-class cardiovascular research, guidelines for health professionals, informing the public and assisting people with cardiovascular disease.

As a charity, the Heart Foundation relies on donations and gifts in wills to continue lifesaving research, education and health promotion work.

The Big Heart Appeal is one such opportunity for the community to realise the overwhelming spread of cardiovascular diseases and make a contribution to the Heart Foundation to ensure that they continue their work into such important research

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of death in Australia, with one Australian dying every 12 minutes. 

Get involved this September by:

• Raising awareness on social media
• Donate to the foundation
• Organise a fundraiser
• Informing the community of the benefits of eating healthier

For more information, visit:
http://www.bigheartappeal.org/index.html

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia is asking Australia to get involved and help create awareness and raise the much needed funds to help in the fight against prostate cancer.

“Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in Australia with 20,000 diagnosis and close to 3,500 deaths each year.”

All men over 50 – or over 40 are encouraged –  if you have a family history – to talk with your GP about your prostate health.

Become a part this September by:

• Volunteering with the foundation
• Donating
• Raising awareness on social media
• Informing the community

For more information, visit:
https://www.prostate.org.au/get-checked/

Dystonia awareness month is designed to inform the community of the spreading condition and urge the community to join in helping those which are affected. Dystonia is a Neurological Movement Condition which affects adults and children. It can affect any part of the body and causes muscles to contract or spasm. This may cause pain, tremors, twisting and other uncontrollable movements.

Currently there is no cure. 

“Research from the United States indicates that dystonia is as common as multiple sclerosis in certain areas of the world including parts of the Australia.”

To get involved this September:

• Inform the community
• Raise awareness on social media
• Organise a fundraiser
• Donate to the foundation

For more information, visit:
https://www.dystonia.org.au/

This year Stroke Foundation is encouraging Australians who recognise the F.A.S.T signs of stroke to call an ambulance, thereby potentially saving a life. They are F.A.S.T. Heroes.

The FAST test is an easy way to recognise and remember the signs of stroke. Using the FAST test involves asking these simple questions:
Face – Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?
Arms – Can they lift both arms?
Speech – Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?
Time – Time is critical. If you see any of these signs, call 000 straight away.

It’s estimated that more than 80 percent of strokes can be prevented.

There are some risk factors for stroke which can’t be prevented like age, family history and prior stroke. If you’re male, your risk is also higher.

There are two ways to approach this: first by talking to your doctor and secondly by taking ownership of your own health

Fight stroke this September by:

• Volunteering
• Donating to the foundation
• Raising awareness on social media
• Organising a fundraiser
• But MOST IMPORTANTLY, taking charge of your own health

For more information, visit:
https://strokefoundation.org.au/How-you-can-help/Stroke-week