Mental Health Month
Small actions add up to big change.
We all know what we can do for our physical health like eating well, exercising regularly or getting enough sleep. But what about our mental health?
This October, we’re focusing on small, practical actions that, when done regularly, can support better mental health. Just as we don’t expect to get physically fit overnight, strengthening our wellbeing happens one step at a time.
So join us this Mental Health Month in practising The Big 5.
What is The Big 5?
At MindSpot, we asked a simple question: what do people do in their daily lives that helps them stay mentally well?
More than a decade of research, involving over 25,000 people, found five types of simple, everyday actions that consistently support better mental health. We call them The Big 5.
These aren’t dramatic changes or major overhauls, often, they’re the everyday things many of us already do. Our research shows that the more often we practise these actions, the better we tend to feel.
The key is finding the small steps that work for you, and practising them often enough to make a difference.
It’s simple: the more you do, the better you feel. The less you do, the harder it gets.
You can read more about The Big 5 here.
Healthy Thinking Having realistic thoughts, keeping perspective and treating ourselves with kindness. Learn more
Goals and Plans Setting goals, big or small, keeps us motivated and gives us something to look forward to. Learn more
Healthy Routines Building habits like getting good sleep, eating regular meals, and staying active, that set us up for the day. Learn more
Social Connections Staying in touch with people who matter, giving us support and a sense of belonging. Learn moreJoin our free The Big 5 Webinar
The Big 5 - Things you can do for good mental health
Join us on Thursday 9 October, 7–8 pm AEDT for a free 60-minute webinar, The Big 5: Things You Can Do for Better Mental Health, presented by Professor Nick Titov AM (Executive Director, MindSpot; Professor, Macquarie University).
This webinar will delve deeper into simple, actionable steps you can incorporate into your daily life. You won't want to miss out!
It's free! Expert-led Evidence-based, practical takeawaysOctober Mental Health Resources
The Big 5 Bingo
Turn your wellbeing journey into a fun, engaging challenge! Our bingo card makes it easy to practice all five focus areas. Complete one activity from each category and you've got BINGO - plus the foundation for lasting mental health habits. Share this with friends, families or work colleagues and make it a competition!
October Mental Health Calendar
Everyday brings a new opportunity to make a small change. Our October focused calendar provides daily tips and actions based on The Big 5, helping to encourage small daily actions that could transform your month!
The Big 5 Activity Book
Looking after your mental health doesn’t have to be complicated, in fact, it can be fun, creative, and simple. The Big 5 Activity Book makes it easy and enjoyable to put the Big 5 into practice. Inside you’ll find colouring pages, crosswords, word searches, Big 5 trackers, and ideas to help you get moving outdoors.
Make Mental Health a Habit
You don’t have to stop once Mental Health Month ends.
Keep the momentum going! The more you practise the Big 5, the better you'll feel. If you’d like a gentle push to stay on track, sign up for The Big 5 Wellbeing Messages. You’ll get daily text reminders, practical tips and simple tracking to help you keep building those good habits.
