October is Mental Health Month and Royal Flying Doctor Service South Eastern Section's mental health manager Vanessa Latham said it was vital to raise awareness of wellbeing.

Ms Latham said mental health needs to be cared for across all stages of our life and should be talked about without fear of stigma.

"Mental Health is a spectrum, we all slide up and down a bit, but we all have capacity to nurture, discover and care for our mental health and wellbeing," she said.

"It's important to be talking about mental health during childhood, adolescence, adulthood and as older adults."

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Since the start of the pandemic, there has been a rise in feelings of isolation and stress due to lockdowns, border closures, businesses impacted and the death of loved ones.

The good news is Ms Latham and her Mental Health, Alcohol and other Drugs team, have noticed it's lead to an increase in mental health discussions.

Ms Latham's message to those who have been severely impacted by COVID is to draw upon their strengths, accept and/or seek support.

"When we are under stress and pressure, our perspective is narrowed, so if we confide with someone, we can reflect and regain our usual level of awareness and perspective," she said.

Ms Latham works at Broken Hill's RFDSSE Wellbeing Place with the MHAoD team. During lockdown when face-to-face services weren't available they started offering services like art therapy, yoga and meditation online, and holding phone consultations.

The theme for the month-long Mental Health campaign is "Tune In", which aims for everyone to become mindful of what is happening within them and their surroundings.

Ms Latham said there were several ways to tune in, whether that is by breathing and meditation exercises, or by tuning in with someone you don't normally connect with over a cuppa.

The MHAoD team offers a range of services for families. To find out more, contact Dubbo's Wellbeing Place on 0438 422 794.

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