FOUR million specially-designed prepaid postcards will be delivered to regional and remote households across Australia, thanks to Australia Post’s continued focus on mental health and keeping people connected.
The postcards were designed in collaboration with Australia Post’s mental health partner Beyond Blue.
The postcards are divided into two sections, with a part for the sender to keep including helpful tips on how to maintain mental health, and a second part to write on and send to friends or loved ones in Australia free of charge.
Australia Post head of community Nicky Tracey said the idea would have a positive impact on people’s mental health, particularly for those who were currently unable to visit friends and family.
“We know that when we connect, we feel better and sometimes a small message can be all it takes to make a big difference to someone you care about,” she said.
“These postcards make it really easy to connect with a message of love, hope and support by simply putting a message on the card, addressing it and dropping it in a red post box.”
Beyond Blue chief executive officer Georgie Harman said the partnership with Australia Post helps to share important messages about mental health with communities across the country and reach people who continued to grapple with the impacts of bushfires, floods and droughts, on top of the pandemic.
“This postcard campaign will help us reach into rural and remote areas, where social and geographic isolation, weather impacts and difficulty accessing services can present mental health challenges,” she said.
“I really hope people will join in the spirit of this initiative, read the tips and send a card to a loved one. If we keep talking about mental health, we can smash the stigma and remove the barriers that hold people back from seeking support.”
The postcard delivery is part of a broader campaign from Australia Post to support mental health, which includes in-store fundraising for Beyond Blue and staff wellbeing initiatives.
The free postcards became available on September 6, and can be collected at participating post offices, while stocks last, and from next week will start to arrive in regional letterboxes across the country.
