info@headmastershelpdesk.com
info@headmastershelpdesk.com
In South Africa, October is observed as Mental Health Awareness Month, dedicated to raising public awareness, educating people about mental health issues, and reducing the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness. This month-long initiative aims to promote understanding, encourage supportive dialogue, and advocate for better access to mental health resources and treatment across the nation.
Encouraging Action: To motivate individuals and communities to take proactive steps in prioritizing their own mental well-being and supporting others.
Some people think leadership is just about giving orders, but real leadership – the kind that inspires, motivates, and creates lasting impact – is so much more than that.
Simon Sinek’s leadership philosophy emphasises empathy, servant leadership, and personal growth. The phrase “sharpen the axe” is indeed associated with his ideas, highlighting the importance of self-improvement and preparation for leaders.
Leaders have to continually seek self-improvement to be the best leader that they can be for the community in which they serve and, ideally, have one or two ‘honest’ mentors who have their best interests at heart and who will be 100% truthful with advice and feedback!
“Wellness is the act of practicing healthy habits on a daily basis to attain better physical and mental health outcomes, so that instead of just surviving, you’re thriving.”
Research indicates that there are eight dimensions of wellness that are required for you to truly flourish, but there does not have to be a balance across all dimensions. Instead, the goal is to find personal harmony among the dimensions that is most authentic for you. You cannot get there passively; it requires active awareness, acceptance, and commitment.
Physical Wellness: Focuses on maintaining a healthy body through regular physical activity, proper nutrition, and adequate sleep.
Emotional Wellness: Involves understanding your feelings, coping with life’s challenges, and maintaining mental stability.
Social Wellness: Encourages the ability to connect with others, build meaningful relationships, and develop a sense of belonging.
Spiritual Wellness: Centres on finding a sense of purpose, meaning, and a connection to your values, beliefs, or a higher power.
Intellectual Wellness: Encourages lifelong learning, engagement with new ideas, critical thinking, and sharing knowledge.
Occupational Wellness: Involves achieving personal and professional satisfaction through meaningful work, whether it’s a job, volunteering, or other pursuits.
Environmental Wellness: Relates to taking care of both your personal surroundings and the broader environment.
Financial Wellness: Focuses on your relationship with money, including managing your finances, living within your means, and planning for the future.
[J. Flowers Health Institute, 2025]
Wellbeing is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as“the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy.”
Wellbeing is not just the absence of disease or illness. It is a complex combination of a person’s physical, mental, emotional, and social health factors. Wellbeing is strongly linked to happiness and life satisfaction. In short, wellbeing could be described as how you feel about yourself and your life.
The National Health Service [UK] suggests 5 pillars of wellbeing are:
These pillars act as a great framework for anyone looking to increase their emotional stability and resilience, reduce stress, or feel like they are getting the most out of life. The most important pillar of wellbeing is to connect with other people. There is strong evidence that indicates that feeling close to, and valued by, other people is a fundamental human need and one that contributes to functioning well in the world.
As you can see, wellness and wellbeing are very closely connected.
The World Mental Health Day theme for 2025 is “Community: Supporting Mental Wellbeing Together”. This theme focuses on the power of strong, supportive communities in protecting mental health and creating a sense of belonging. It highlights how communities play a vital role in helping people feel connected, valued, and less alone, especially during difficult times.
This important day continues to focus on highlighting the connection between mental health and the workplace. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), creating a safe and healthy working environment is essential for building sustainable mental health.
In conclusion, it is okay to seek help if you need it. In fact you must. There is NO shame in having mental health issues. For you to be at your best for others in your life, you need to look after No. 1!
A reading and prayer on mental health to conclude:
Lamentations 55-57
“I called on your name, O LORD, from the depths of the pit; You heard my plea: ‘Do not close your ear to my cry for help.’ You came near when I called you, and you said, ‘Do not fear!'”.
Ø God’s faithfulness: Even in the midst of immense suffering, the passage shows God’s unwavering faithfulness to those who cry out to Him.
Ø Comfort in fear: It serves as a reminder that when fear arises from feeling alone or uncertain, God’s presence is a source of strength and confidence.
Ø Hope: The passage offers hope by affirming God’s promise to hear and respond to His people, reminding them that they are not forgotten or abandoned.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go“.
This verse provides encouragement to trust God and move forward with strength in any challenging situation, assuring that God’s presence is a source of courage for believers in all circumstances.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come to you with an open heart and mind, seeking peace, calmness, and clarity. We pray for improved awareness and understanding of mental health, wellness, and wellbeing – and for the strength to navigate life’s challenges.
May we be gentle with ourselves, embracing our thoughts and emotions with kindness and compassion. May we find solace in the present moment, letting go of worries about the past or future.
We pray, Heavenly Father, that you will grant us resilience, hope, and courage to face each day with confidence and positivity, and that we are surrounded with love, support, and understanding from those around us.
We ask this in Your name,
Amen.
According to the World Health Organisation, there are more than a billion people living with mental health conditions around the world. Conditions like depression and anxiety do not discriminate – and people from all income brackets, ages, and walks of life navigate the challenges of these conditions every day.
As educators, parents, and leaders, mental health awareness is essential to tapping into true potential at home, in the classroom, and in schools. It affects our relationships, our everyday successes, and our futures.
If you are wondering where to start or how to effectively level up awareness and address topical issues around mental health, get in touch with Headmasters Help Desk.
Let’s work together this Mental Health Awareness Month and beyond. Contact us today.
References:
[J. Flowers Health Institute, 2025]
[WHO, 2025]