In its 19th year, Psychology Week is exploring the role psychology plays in the workplace.

There’s no doubt that the last year has changed how we live and work. For office-based workplaces in particular, more people are working from home, and many of us are reliant on technology more than ever to talk to and work with colleagues. The grounds are shifting, and this is having a massive impact on how we think, feel and behave at work.

In responding to these changes, there are many ways that psychological support and interventions can play a part.

During Psychology Week 2021, the Australian Psychological Society will be:

• Showing you what tools you can use to create a positive, mentally healthy workplace where the wellbeing of employees is at the heart
• How these tools can be applied to different industries and workplaces
• Provide insights into how workers feel about work and how this impacts their mental health.

To get involved this November:

• Raise awareness on social media
• Spread awareness with friends and family
• Host a fundraising event

For more information, visit: https://psychweek.org.au/

To make an appointment, call Reception on 02 8038 1070 or book online.

For more information, visit NSW Health website or speak with your GP.

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.

Issues such as postnatal- or menopausal-related depression are examples of mental health issues that are generally gender specific to women.

One of the priorities of Liptember is to recognise that Australian women take on a myriad of responsibilities and provide improvements to the mental health support available for these women. By improving the mental health of Australian women, the entire community can experience improved overall health and wellbeing.

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/

Earth Hour began as a symbolic lights-out event in Sydney in 2007, and is now one of the world’s largest grassroots movements for the environment. Held every year on the last Saturday of March, Earth Hour engages millions of people in more than 180 countries and territories, switching off their lights to show support for our planet.

This year, Earth Hour falls on Saturday 27 March, running from 8:30pm. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to take part, with this year providing the first “virtual lights-off”. Switch off your lights for an hour on Saturday, March 27, 2021 at 8:30 pm your local time.

For more information, visit: https://www.earthhour.org/

Throughout March, Epilepsy Australia is urging people around the country to end the stigma and discrimination of epilepsy and ‘GO PURPLE’, the international colour for epilepsy. Epilepsy is a common brain disorder which takes the form of recurring seizures. It’s not just one condition; rather it is a diverse family of disorders comprising many seizure types.

“10% of the population are at risk of experiencing a seizure during their lifetime, while 3-4% will go on to be diagnosed with epilepsy.”

Get involved this March by:

• Informing family and community members about epilepsy
• Hosting a purple day fundraiser
• Buying merchandise which donates money to epilepsy Australia
• Volunteering
• Raising awareness on social media using #gopurple

For more details, visit: http://www.epilepsyaustralia.net/get-involved/

Each year World TB Day is commemorated on March 24 to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of tuberculosis (TB) and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by infection with the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis.TB most commonly affects a person’s lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body and can cause serious illness.

Get involved this March by:

• Educating friends and family about World TB Day
• Raising awareness on social media
• Learning more about tuberculosis

For more information, visit: https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-tb-day

These simple steps can help to protect yourself and the community.

Practise good hygiene by

• making sure to clean your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand rub
• cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with a tissue or a flexed elbow
• avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms.

Make sure you stay home if you are sick.

For more information, visit:
https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others

Harmony Week is a time to celebrate Australian multiculturalism, and the successful integration of migrants into communities. This week is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values.

“Nearly half (49 per cent) of Australians were born overseas or have at least one parent who was.” (ABS 2016 Census)

Everyone can get involved this March by:

• Communicating the importance of cultural diversity
• Encouraging the values of respect, equality and freedom
• Promoting harmony in the workplace, at home and in schools

For more information, visit: https://www.harmony.gov.au/

Coeliac Awareness Week is a campaign which aims to reach many thousands of Australians unaware they are living with coeliac disease and help them identify the symptoms and take steps towards diagnosis and treatment. This year it takes place 13-20th March.

“Coeliac disease affects on average approximately 1 in 70 Australians. However, around 80% of this number remain undiagnosed.”

In people with coeliac disease, the immune system reacts abnormally to gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and oats), causing small bowel damage. Coeliac disease can develop at any age and affects both men and women.

Get involved this March by:

• Displaying posters in your local area
• Reading online resources
• Informing family members and friends of the harms
• Creating awareness on social media
• Organising your own fundraiser

For more information, visit: http://www.coeliac.org.au/caw/