Bendigo Health and Bendigo Community Health Services are among the organisations supporting Crazy Socks 4 Docs, an awareness movement started by Melbourne cardiologist Dr Geoff Toogood.

Dr Toogood founded the initiative to address the stigma faced by health professionals living with mental health issues.

He experienced that stigma, as someone living with both anxiety and depression.

COVID-19 and the bushfires earlier this year have heightened awareness of the pressures faced by health professionals.

Bendigo Health deputy chief medical officer Dr Casey Nottage said the organisation was making mental health and wellbeing a focus for staff throughout June.

It was also considering how some of the increased supports introduced in response to COVID-19 might be retained, long-term.

"I think we are moving in the right direction," Dr Nottage said, reflecting on the industry.

"We're right at the beginning of the journey of having an all-of-system approach for this. That's where I'd like to see it going in the future."

Bendigo Community Health Services primary health director Graem Kelly said it was timely and important to offer respect and a kind word of support to health professionals, as they worked through a global pandemic.

"Health professionals are individuals and have families with their own health needs. So COVID-19 presents as an extremely testing time," he said.

He said health care could feel very lonely and undervalued, especially if patients and others became lost in their own issues related to COVID-19 and didn't - or couldn't - empathise, engage or consult with "frontline heroes".

"Remember to show your appreciation for how they continue to offer high quality care at personal risk to keep their patients healthy and safe," Mr Kelly said.

Crazy Socks for Docs participants just have to don a pair of colourful socks, take a picture and post it to social media with the tag #crazysocks4docs or #socks4docs.

Participation isn't limited to doctors or health professionals, and is open to anyone eager to raise awareness.

"I think it is seen as quite an accessible way to get involved," Dr Nottage said.

Crazy Socks 4 Docs is marked on the first Friday in June.

If you or someone you know needs support, contact BeyondBlue on 1300 22 4636

Help is also available from Lifeline on 13 11 14.

In an emergency, phone 000.