Today, odd socks will be pounding the pavement in support of stomping out mental health stigma and discrimination.
The fact is one in two of us will experience a mental illness at some point in our lives, and one in five of us will experience a mental illness in any year.
Mental health advocate and CEO, from the organisation Grow, Clare Guilfoyle said we had to stop treating people with mental illness differently.
“Our campaign is about reminding people that anyone can have a mental illness. It could be a parent, or a brother or sister, a friend or a work colleague.
“It’s also about letting people know that it’s ok to talk about mental health issues.
“People with a mental illness want the same things as everyone else – a home, a job and a life worth living.
“Very few of us are even comfortable speaking about mental health, and yet it’s so common.
“Stigma has a devastating impact on the lives of people with a mental illness and their families and friends. It does stop people from getting help and recovering.
“That’s why we’re dedicating a whole day nationwide to showing support for mental health and a future without stigma!”
So today, don a pair of odd socks and show that you want to be part of the change and help to stomp out stigma.
Grow is a non-profit organisation determined to make us all more aware of mental health issues, and to reduce the stigma attached to mental illness
For further information visit www.oddsocksday.org.au
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