'Talking and Listening are Powerful'

The first phase of the Think Mental Health campaign, ‘Talking and Listening are Powerful’ is beginning of a long-term public education campaign that will contribute to the work already being done in Western Australia to reduce the risk of suicide. The Campaign’s focus is on assisting the Western Australian community to connect with the best information, support and services for their particular situation, without duplicating the work already being done.

The Campaign will contribute to:

Promoting mental health and wellbeing;
De-stigmatising mental health issues;
Assisting the Western Australian community to navigate the range of mental health activities and services available; and
Building resilience and improving the mental health and wellbeing of the Western Australian community.

The Campaign has been developed in consultation with an expert reference group, the regional Suicide Prevention Coordinators and the Ministerial Council on Suicide Prevention, and formally tested amongst the target audience. A range of campaign strategies have been developed, which will be delivered state-wide by the Mental Health Commission and locally by the Suicide Prevention Coordinators. The Campaign will develop over time to address a range of issues for priority target groups.

Target group

Phase one targets men aged 25 to 54-years living in Western Australia and their family and friends. Men have been chosen as the focus of phase one, as three out of four deaths by suicide in Western Australia, are male. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the fact that mental health issues can affect anyone and encourages men, family and friends to check-in on a mate or someone close to them if they are not going so well.

Key messages

Check in on a mate, or someone you care about if they're not going so well;
Talking and listening are powerful; and
Mental health issues can affect anyone. It may be difficult at first but talking can help.

Campaign objectives

Men

Increase men’s recognition of the signs and symptoms of a mental health issue;
Encourage men to talk to someone they trust when they aren’t going so well; and
Increase men's knowledge about where to get help if they need it.

People close to men

Increase understanding that mental health issues can affect anyone;
Increase knowledge of the signs and symptoms of a mental health issue;
Encourage to talk to the men in their lives if they notice that they are showing signs that they are experiencing a mental health issue and offer their support; and
Increase knowledge about where to get help if it is needed.