Mental Health Month | October 2026

WELLBEING

Looking after mental health in the landscaping industry can start with a simple conversation. This Mental Health Month, Landscaping Victoria shares practical ways to check in with yourself and your workmates, listen with care and find support.

Carolyn Tanner | 1 October 2026 | 4 min read

Checking in with yourself and your workmates

What you see isn’t always the whole story

The jobs are moving. The messages are getting answered. Someone’s still cracking jokes at smoko.

From the outside, everything might look business as usual. But that doesn’t always tell us how someone is feeling.

Landscaping is a people industry. We work alongside each other through early starts, changing plans, physical demands, and the pressure of keeping jobs moving. Alongside all that, there’s life outside work.

Whether you’re an apprentice, a designer, working on site, supporting the team behind the scenes or running a landscaping business, your mental health matters.

October is Mental Health Month, with World Mental Health Day on 10 October. Mental Health Australia’s 2026 theme, Together We Thrive, puts connection at the heart of the national campaign. For our industry, that’s a reminder to make room for the people behind the projects.

Start with yourself: how are you really going?

Before checking in with everyone else, give yourself a moment too.

Away from the next task or notification, ask:

• How have I been feeling lately?
• What’s taking up the most space in my head?
• Is there something I could use a hand with?

You don’t need a polished answer. “I’ve had a lot on lately” is enough to start a conversation with someone you trust.

You can also contact a support service directly. Beyond Blue welcomes people who are having a difficult day, feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to begin—you don’t need a diagnosis to reach out.

How do you check in with a workmate?

Choose a quiet, private moment, ask how they’re going and give them time to answer. Listen without judgement, ask what support would help and check in again.

You don’t need perfect words. If you’ve noticed a change, a simple opening could be:

“You don’t seem quite yourself lately. How are you going?”

If they’re not ready to talk, respect that. Let them know you’re available, or ask whether there’s someone else they’d feel more comfortable speaking with. R U OK?’s conversation guide offers practical guidance on asking, listening, encouraging action and following up.

Make room for the answer

Try to listen without interrupting or jumping straight into solutions. Take their concerns seriously, even if their experience is different from yours.

“I’m glad you told me. What support would be useful right now?”

You can be supportive without having all the answers. A GP or mental health professional can help them work out the next step.

Keep the connection going

A check-in doesn’t have to be a one-off conversation.

“I’ve been thinking about our chat. How have things been since?”

Following up shows that you heard them and still care.

Supporting the people behind our industry

At Landscaping Victoria, we hear about the pressures members face and care about the people behind every business.

Our Wellbeing Hub, available through the member hub on our website, brings together information and resources to help members find support.

Throughout October, we’ll share more practical content on supportive conversations, healthier workplaces and recognising and managing psychosocial hazards—the aspects of work that can cause psychological harm.

For today, start with one honest check-in. That might be with a workmate. It might be with yourself.

Where can you find mental health support?

For counselling and support

• Beyond Blue: Free, confidential counselling by phone or online, available 24/7. Call 1300 22 4636. Local call costs may apply.

• TIACS: Free, confidential, professional phone and text counselling for the blue-collar community and those who care about them. Call or text 0488 846 988, Monday–Friday, 8 am–10 pm AEST, excluding public holidays.

For urgent help

• Lifeline: Crisis support available 24/7 on 13 11 14. If life is in danger, call 000.

For workplace resources and awareness

• WorkSafe Victoria: Guidance and tools to help create psychologically healthy and safe workplaces and manage psychosocial risks.

• Steel Blue’s Boot the Blues: An industry initiative raising mental health awareness and funds for Beyond Blue.

This is the first in Landscaping Victoria’s Mental Health Month series. Throughout October, we’ll share practical ideas for starting supportive conversations, creating healthier workplaces, and recognising and managing psychosocial hazards. Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Latest News, and in our fortnightly member email newsletter, LV News, as we make space for honest conversations and help our landscape and green industry community find support.