Mental Health Month 2026: Together We Thrive
October is Mental Health Month in Australia, and tomorrow CC Medical will be in Adelaide supporting the mental health nursing community at the 50th International Mental Health Nursing Conference (ACMHN 2026).
Running from 7–9 October at the Adelaide Convention Centre, the conference brings together more than 600 delegates from the mental health nursing community. CC Medical is proud to be there as an exhibitor and Coffee Cart Sponsor, supporting an event that couldn't be better timed with this year's Mental Health Month message.
The 2026 national theme is Together We Thrive, focusing on the importance of connection, belonging and community for our mental health and wellbeing.
And new Australian research suggests that message is particularly timely.
Are Australians becoming less connected?
Research released by Mental Health Australia for Mental Health Month found that 64% of Australians believe we are becoming more disconnected from one another.
Only 21% said they feel very connected to their friends, family, neighbours or community, while 30% said they feel less connected than they did 10 years ago.
At the same time, 64% said connection and a sense of belonging positively affect their mental health, while 57% said feeling included and part of something bigger helps them cope during stressful times.
Perhaps one of the most interesting findings relates to our workplaces.
While 67% said they would feel comfortable telling friends they were struggling with their mental health, only 29% would feel comfortable telling their employer.
That's an important statistic for Australian workplaces to consider.
Creating an environment where people feel connected, supported and comfortable talking about mental health shouldn't be limited to Mental Health Month.
Sometimes the smallest connections matter
One of the messages behind Together We Thrive is that supporting mental wellbeing doesn't always require a grand gesture.
A conversation with a colleague. Checking in with someone. Having a coffee together. Calling a friend you haven't spoken to recently. Simply taking the time to listen.
These everyday connections can matter.
For some people, however, support from friends, family and colleagues isn't enough. There are times when professional mental health care is needed.
And behind that care are thousands of dedicated mental health professionals working across Australia.
Celebrating Australia's mental health nurses
Mental Health Month is also an opportunity to recognise the people who dedicate their careers to supporting Australians experiencing mental health challenges.
Mental health nurses work across hospitals, emergency departments, community mental health services, aged care, rural and regional services, primary care and many other settings.
Their contribution is increasingly being recognised at a national workforce level.
In August, the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses welcomed Australia's National Nursing Workforce Strategy, which explicitly recognises mental health nurses as a distinct part of the nursing workforce and identifies the need for improved workforce planning, education, data and modelling.
That makes tomorrow's gathering in Adelaide particularly significant.
50 years of mental health nursing
This year's ACMHN conference celebrates an incredible milestone under the theme:
“Celebrating 50 years of mental health nursing: The future is now.”
From 7–9 October, mental health nurses, healthcare professionals and industry leaders will come together to share knowledge, discuss the future of mental health care and, importantly, connect with one another.
Those ideas of connection and community closely reflect the message behind Mental Health Month itself.
CC Medical is proud to be part of it.
We'll be exhibiting throughout the conference and sponsoring the Coffee Cart, so if you're attending, come over, grab a coffee and say hello to the CC Medical team.
There's something quite fitting about it.
Because sometimes connection really can start with something as simple as sitting down over a coffee and having a conversation.
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Together We Thrive
Mental Health Month reminds us that mental health touches every community, workplace and healthcare service in Australia.
It also reminds us of the importance of the people around us.
This October, take the opportunity to reconnect with someone, check in with a colleague, listen when somebody wants to talk or simply make time for a conversation.
And we'd particularly like to recognise the mental health nurses, psychiatrists and other mental health professionals who are there when Australians need professional support.
To everyone heading to ACMHN 2026 in Adelaide tomorrow, we look forward to seeing you there.
Come and find the CC Medical team — the coffee is on us.
Together We Thrive.
