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Get Active This August

Posted 17 Jul 2019

Did you know that people with higher levels of activity have a greater sense of wellbeing and mental health? 

As winter truly sets in across WA, Act-Belong-Commit is encouraging individuals, organisations and communities across WA to get involved in ‘Active August’; a new state-wide campaign promoting ways people and communities can get active for their mental health and wellbeing.

Coordinated by Mentally Healthy WA and the Act-Belong-Commit mental health promotion campaign, Active August is dedicated to inspiring and motivating people to keep active for their mental health and wellbeing in as many ways as they can, be it physically, socially, mentally or spiritually.

Act-Belong-Commit Campaign Manager, Maria Szybiak, said; “It’s estimated that the annual cost of mental illness in Australia is approximately $70 billion, which includes the costs from loss of productivity and participation in the workforce (National Mental Health Commission, 2017). Prevention and early intervention are the most effective way to improve our community health.”

Act-Belong-Commit’s Active August is one way we can start changing the narrative when it comes to mental health, by shifting the focus from treatment of illness to the prevention, promotion and preservation of good mental health. This means developing, keeping or changing habits as we go through life to keep mentally healthy.

Ms Szybiak also states; “Being active – physically, socially, mentally and spiritually – are the basic building blocks for good mental health. Being active keeps us alert, energetic and in touch with others.”

Act-Belong-Commit Health Promotion Officer, Gemma Davis, said that Active August was about promoting simple yet significant ways people can keep active for their mental health and wellbeing. “You can get active in many ways, and it doesn’t have to cost you money. Taking the stairs instead of the lift, going for a walk with a friend or your pet, trying a new recipe from a different culture, or smiling at a stranger and saying hi are all completely free and are active ways you can improve your mental health – and that of others!”

Ms Davis encourages everyone to get involved; “We’re encouraging people to get active both on and offline, by sharing their stories and photos with us via our social media accounts to help spread the mentally healthy message!”

To help you through the month, we’ve created this ‘31 day calendar’ of ideas to inspire and motivate you to get active this August – both on and offline.

Keep an eye out on our social networks too, as we’ll be providing tips, resources and articles for the entire month! And don’t forget to join in the fun and tag us on social using #ActBelongCommit and #ActiveAugust!