Austria puts mental health at centre of Yellow September

Austria will focus on mental health nationwide for one month from Thursday under the “Yellow September” campaign, ORF reports. The initiative aims to raise awareness, reduce prejudice and encourage people affected to seek support.

The Psychosocial Service Burgenland, part of Social Services Burgenland, is highlighting its support services during the campaign. It offers free assistance across Burgenland to people with mental illnesses, psychosocial support needs or those experiencing life crises.

Access is designed to be straightforward: no referral is required, and counselling can also be provided anonymously on request.

The services range from psychiatric treatment and psychological and psychosocial counselling to support during acute crises. Relatives of affected people can also receive help at treatment and counselling centres in all district centres.

More than 5,000 people received support from the service last year. The campaign’s central message is that seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but the opposite.