Dr Anna Brooks on Lifeline’s impact this Mental Health Month

__text in bold__Mental Health Month is celebrated every October to raise awareness about looking after mental health and promoting general wellbeing for all Australians. The theme of Mental Health Month in 2026 is ‘A Little Connection Goes a Long Way’, highlighting the importance of even the smallest interactions and how they can help improve someone’s day.

We spoke with Dr Anna Brooks, 2025 Westfield Sydney Local Hero Finalist, to discuss the importance of Mental Health Month. Dr Brooks is the Chief Research Officer at Lifeline Australia, a national charity that provides 24-hour crisis support.

What has inspired you to be in this field of work?

*Throughout my career, I’ve been inspired by understanding how things work, and have had the opportunity to apply that curiosity to the human brain by working in the field of Psychology.

In my role at Lifeline , I get to use my skills in an area that is really focused on an area that sadly has an enormous impact on so many Australian lives. To effect suicide prevention, Lifeline works with and supports individuals, families, organisations, communities, policy makers and more. Not only do we look at reducing risk, but also creating environments rich in protective factors like human connection, purpose and belonging .

It's an enormous privilege to work within an organisation and movement that aims to ensure no one has to face their toughest moments alone in Australia.*

Why is Lifeline so important for the community and what impact has it had?

*Lifeline is 63 years old. It's an organization that spans the entire nation, and has spread to many countries internationally. The thing we're known best for is our crisis support delivered via telephone, chat and text, largely via a volunteer workforce.

And those services essentially mean that when people are having their toughest moments, there's always someone there to support them.*

Why is Mental Health Month so important for the Australian community?

*Mental Health Month is incredibly important because it creates an environment where conversations about mental health and how important it is become normal. It's an invitation for us to have a national conversation about how it is that we support mental health.

We often talk about the things that can have a negative impact, the stress source, but it's also an opportunity to talk about the positive things, the things that support us to stay well, things like good nutrition, sleep, and movement. And importantly, human connection is key. So, a sense of connection, purpose and belonging are some of those other fundamental factors that help us stay well in terms of our mental health.*

You were recognised as a Westfield Sydney Local Hero Finalist in 2025. What does this mean for you personally?

*It was really humbling and exciting, mainly because it gave me the opportunity to shine a light on the amazing work of Lifeline and other volunteer-based organizations around the country.

So, it was a positive experience to have that conversation about mental health and suicide prevention and to shine a light on what Lifeline does.*

How does your partnership with Westfield help grow Lifeline’s impact?

*It's a really important partnership.

So many Australians spend time at their local Westfield, often on a regular basis.

That creates an opportunity in which the conversation about mental health, well-being, suicide prevention can reach new audiences in locations all across the country.*

What would you say to someone thinking about nominating a Westfield Local Hero?

I would say to someone thinking about nominating, just do it. It's a terrific opportunity to reach the community at scale and to really broaden your impact as a member of your local community.

2027 nominations for Westfield Local Heroes open 20 October. Find out more here.