Australia Post and Beyond Blue have again joined forces to distribute 4 million prepaid ‘Connection Postcards’ to households across the country during the month of September, encouraging people to check in with friends and loved ones.
Research indicates nearly half of all Australians will face health challenges during their lifetime, and one in 10 Australians experience loneliness in any given year[1].
The ‘Connection Postcards’ will primarily be delivered to regional and rural households this September, giving Australians the opportunity to send a personalised and handwritten postcard for free. Each postcard features a space for a message and a detachable section with tips on the importance of nurturing connectedness and mental wellbeing.
Australia Post Executive General Manager Community, Sustainability and Stakeholder Engagement Tanny Mangos said Australia Post is delighted to be continuing its partnership with Beyond Blue and connecting millions of Australians to important mental health information, services and each other.
“Feeling connected plays an important role in our mental health and wellbeing. In an increasingly digital world, taking the time to write a note to a friend or loved one reminds them you are thinking of them and is often cherished.
“Australia Post helps to keep people connected each and every day and we look forward to our ‘Connection Postcards’ being received all across the country. Together with Beyond Blue we have been running this initiative for three years now and are delighted to have delivered more than 11 million connection postcards since 2021,” Ms Mangos said.
Beyond Blue Chief Executive Officer Georgie Harman said the partnership with Australia Post plays a significant role in sharing important mental health messages with the community.
“Beyond Blue is proud to join with Australia Post for a fourth year, in a shared commitment to foster connectedness across Australia. Since the start of our partnership with Australia Post, 11 million postcards have been delivered to households across the country. The arrival of the free postcards in letterboxes and Post Offices represents a powerful gesture of support, enabling Australians to reach out, check in, and remind one another of the strength that lies in supporting a friend or family member.
“Almost everyone experiences loneliness at some stage in their lives, especially those living in rural and remote communities, which is why initiatives like this one are so important to support good mental health practices. The postcards include a list of tips for looking after your mental health and we encourage everyone to keep the tips in a prominent space in your home, like on the fridge, so they can serve as a helpful reminder of nurturing connectedness every day,” Ms Harman said.
The postcards will be delivered to regional households from September and are also available at selected post offices around the country.
Notes to the editor
The number of connection postcards being delivered to households by state;
- Victoria: 962,907
- New South Wales: 1,187,253
- South Australia: 173,524
- Tasmania: 113,582
- Queensland: 964,286
- Australian Capital Territory: 37,768
- Western Australia: 279,061
- Northern Territory: 20,788
- Other channels: 265,000
[1] Connections matter (beyondblue.org.au)
Media contact:
Anna Garcia, Senior PR Manager
M: 0409 402 966
