The importance of connection through conversation

Defence’s Mental Health and Safety Campaign 2026 encourages Navy personnel to proactively think about wellbeing and staying connected.

The campaign runs from September 10 to October 31 and builds on the Push‑up Challenge in June and the Defence and R U OK? 2026 Conversation Convoy in August, reinforcing Defence’s commitment to supporting mental health and the wellbeing of personnel.

As part of ongoing efforts across Navy, the campaign incorporates three days of significance:

• World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10
• RU OK? Day on September 10
• World Mental Health Day on October 10.

According to the National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, 43 per cent of Australians will experience a mental illness at some point in their life.

This reflects how common mental health challenges are across the community and reinforces the importance of recognising changes early and seeking support when needed.

Director General Navy People CDRE Ryan Gaskin said mental health matters to every Navy member.

“Our people can carry a lot of responsibility and knowing they can talk openly and be supported when they need it is vital,” CDRE Gaskin said.

Service and home pressures, including separated service and frequent change, can affect wellbeing.

Members noticing changes in themselves or others, and having a supportive conversation, can make a real difference. Normalising mental health conversations and treating them with the same openness as physical health, reduces stigma and encourages early help-seeking.

Navy Psychology delivers mental health training across the career continuum to help members recognise changes, manage stress and maintain wellbeing, with on‑request training available to further support individuals and teams.

While not all stressors can be avoided, individuals and teams can strengthen resilience through everyday actions. Maintaining social connection with colleagues and family reduces isolation and builds support.

Additionally, prioritising sleep, nutrition and regular exercise supports psychological wellbeing and practical stress‑management strategies. Practising these self-care strategies routinely can help manage pressure before it escalates.

Director Navy Wellbeing CAPT Dina Kinsman acknowledged the role that wellbeing plays in supporting mental health.

“Wellbeing is a holistic state of health, welfare and resilience of our people that really underpins their operational capability, and our capability as a Navy,” CAPT Kinsman said.

“Social connection is incredibly important. Relationships, communities, families – including the Navy ‘family’ built and fostered within units and on ships – all contribute to our feelings of being valued, safe and belonging that serve to enrich our wellbeing.

“They provide that day-to-day support and encourage positivity.”

Small moments of connection, such as a check‑in over a cup of coffee or a quick conversation, can be as important as formal programs.

CDRE Gaskin said reaching out early can make a huge difference, and can help prevent changes in mood, thoughts or behaviour becoming persistent or overwhelming.

“Reaching out early to a shipmate, supervisor, someone you trust, or a health professional can stop issues from becoming more serious,” CDRE Gaskin said.

“We encourage all Navy personnel to look out for one another and to access available supports.

“Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.”

Personnel requiring assistance should engage with their chain of command, who can arrange immediate workplace support and referrals.

Divisional officers and supervisors of all ranks undertake annual training to strengthen their ability to respond to and support members who may be struggling or in crisis.

Defence’s Mental Health and Safety Campaign 2026 highlights that small moments of connection, early conversations and wellbeing practices can make a meaningful difference across the fleet.