Mental health is a state of wellbeing that enables you to deal with what life throws at you. 

It is about feeling resilient, enjoying life and being able to connect with others. 

Good mental health helps you: 

• cope with the normal stresses of life 
• be productive both at work and in your private life 
• relate well to other people 
• contribute to your community. 

Staying well and preventing relapse involves care of both our physical bodies and minds. Regular exercise, eating well, drinking water and having sufficient sleep helps us stay well. An important step in staying well and preventing relapse is identifying what we feel like when we are well and recognising the signs and symptoms when our health is changing and illness might be recurring.

At such times, reaching out early to our family, friends, community support services and healthcare professionals is important so they are aware of our changing health needs and can help work towards limiting the impact of our illness on our daily lives. There are many resources available that can help us stay well such as mobile apps and online support groups. Having access to a broad range of services and support systems is useful in helping support your health and wellbeing and in preventing relapse. 

Recovery is possible and achievable by everyone. Recovery is a journey not a simply a destination. Each recovery journey is a personal experience, that may include a discovery of personal strength and resilience, growth and skill development. Visit our recovery stories page for examples. 

Choice and Medication Printable Leaflets provide information about how common medication works, usual doses, side effects, and how long it should be taken for. These leaflets have been designed to help service users, carers and family members understand their medicines better, and to make more informed decisions. It is best to speak to a healthcare professional about what medications may be right for you. 

As a family member, carer or support person, understanding how to assist your loved one with their mental health can be challenging. Visit our support for families and carers page for more information and access to resources.

Find out about how your rights are protected when undergoing treatment for a mental health issue. Visit the Queensland Health 'Your rights and support' page for more information.

View the Mental Health Act 2016 page for more information on:

• Objects and principles
• Chief Psychiatrist

• Queensland Government Mental Health & Wellbeing (information on improving wellbeing and seeking mental health support)
• Queensland Government – Find a Mental Health Service (support to find mental health services and treatment options across Queensland)
• Queensland Government – Queensland Health – Mental Health Community Services (information about Queensland Health’s funded mental health and drug services)
• The Way Back Support Service (support for those who have attempted suicide or had a suicidal crisis)
• Black Dog Institute (research institute that provides support to prevent and treat mental illness)
• SANE Australia (supports people with complex or recurring mental health issues and trauma, along with their families and communities)
• headspace (provides early intervention mental health services for young people aged 12–25, supporting them and their families)
• Blue Knot Foundation (supports adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse, and helps their families and communities through recovery, education and advocacy)
• 1800 Respect (Australia’s national helpline for people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, providing confidential counselling, information and support 24/7)
• Al-Anon Family Groups (offers confidential peer support for families and friends of alcoholics, helping them heal together)  
• Relationships Australia – Gambling Help Program (supports people and families impacted by gambling harm with free, confidential counselling and peer support)
• ReachOut (provides free, online mental health support and resources for young people and their families)
• Beyond Blue (provides nationwide support for anxiety, depression and suicide prevention, helping Australians build mental wellbeing)
• Children of Parents with a Mental Illness – COPMI (COPMI supports children and families affected by parental mental illness with resources, education and resilience-building)
• Roses in the Ocean (embeds lived experience voices into suicide prevention, offering peer support, resources and advocacy to save lives)