October is Mental Health Month in NSW! For the majority of us, work is a significant part of our lives. It is where we invest much of our energy, where make our livelihood, and often where we make our friends. Having a fulfilling job is good but being part of an organisation with mental health and wellbeing strategies is better.

How are you? No, really.

By talking about your own well being regularly and encouraging friends and family to do likewise, you can help with normalising discussions about mental health and separating the shame around seeking professional help. Remember: Mental health is as important as physical health and it’s okay not to be okay.

So let's start practicing SELF-LOVE.

1. Be easy on yourself - recognise that it's alright to feel bad and make mistakes.

2. Treat yourself like somebody whose sentiments matter.

3. Ask yourself what you would say to a dear friend who felt broken and frantic, then, at that point, say it to yourself.

4. Just share your story with individuals who have shown you that they genuinely care about you.

5. Be particular with regards to who you request help to - people who don't care about you won't give you help worth having.

6. Accomplish something consistently every day, even for only 5 minutes that makes you laugh and feel cheerful and light.

7. Indulge yourself regularly in something cheap or free that brings you happiness, just like a hot shower or picking a flower.

8. Look at the mirror, smile at yourself, then say, "You know, you truly are more than you might think you are."

9. Promise yourself that you will remember to keep yourself safe moving forward.

10. Stop comparing yourself to others. Invest in yourself. Love yourself more.

At Firesoft People, we are building a community where anyone can be themselves, where each team member feels safe enough to share their stories. Let's unpack the stigma behind mental health. We’re celebrating the beauty and strength of those who have fought their way through depression. 

A big shout out to all people who haven’t felt okay lately, but still get up every day and refuse to quit. You are AWESOME! ❤