While South Australian-born Olivia Molly Rogers has received national and international attention as a model ever since clinching the Miss Universe Australia title back in 2017, she’s also a qualified speech pathologist, author and a keen ambassador for positive body image and mental health awareness.
Thanks to PayPal Pay-In-4, Olivia shares four tips and insights on how we can all become better mental health advocates:
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1. Check in regularly. Let your friends and family know you are there for them. Don't just stop after asking, 'How are you?'. Instead, try asking them in a way that leads to a more authentic and honest answer. For instance, you could try, "Are you as happy as you look?". This could lead to a more honest and authentic answer.
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2. Be open about your mental health. When we share our own vulnerabilities, it becomes easier for others to do the same. Sharing helps others develop a sense of trust and become more comfortable with sharing their own experiences. Talking openly and candidly about your own mental health, can also help to reduce associated stigma.
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3. Be wary with word choice. Correct people around you if they use language that continues to stigmatise mental health, while remaining mindful of your own language. In our bid to ensure people feel safe speaking up, we need to be careful to not perpetuate stereotypes or negative connotations through our language use.While South Australian-born Olivia Molly Rogers has received national and international attention as a model ever since clinching the Miss Universe Australia title back in 2017, she’s also a qualified speech pathologist, author and a keen ambassador for positive body image and mental health awareness.
4. Advocate for mental health at work. Talk to your workplace to find out what practices they have in place to support you and your colleagues with mental health. If you think there is room for improvement, you could offer some suggestions, such as mental health workshops or inviting a mental health advocate into the office to speak to staff.