Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres is encouraging locals to ‘Share the Journey’ by getting involved in Mental Health Month this October, with the NSW government calling for people to come alongside family, friends or colleagues who are living with mental illness or having mental health issues.
Mental Health Month is a reminder that friends, loved ones, work colleagues, or even ourselves, might need help.
“Mental health issues will affect one in five Australians every year, and those who don’t experience mental health challenges personally will most likely know someone who does,” Mr Ayres said.
Mental Health Month helps raise awareness and understanding of mental health with events across NSW.
- The Penrith Mental Health Wellness Event will take place at the Mondo (outside Joan Sutherland Centre) at Penrith Plaza between 12pm-4pm on Thursday October 4. There will be a range of services which support mental health well-being on the day, as well as a range of free activities such as rides, food and entertainers.
In Springwood the following events are on through Springwood Neighbourhood Centre:
- On Monday, October 8, Jenny Rankine is presenting a two-hour workshop on “Understanding Your Child’s Brain Development 0-5 years”. She has over 25 years’ experience working with families and children as a Child & Family Nurse.
- Another event on Wednesday, October 17 is a forum on “Understanding NSW Mental Health Services”. Conducted by workers from Head Space, Flourish, Black Dog, The Suicide Prevention Network and members of the Nepean Mental Health Access team and people with a lived experience of mental health, this forum will facilitate professional workers discussing their roles, their services and how they connect people to help they may need. Concession cardholders are welcome to reserve one or two of the 20 complimentary early bird tickets set aside.
- A further event, on Tuesday, October 30 is a two-hour workshop “Awareness through Movement” which will be held at the Presbyterian Church on Macquarie Street, Springwood. Anna Fisher, who has qualifications in Tai Chi and the Feldenkrais method will facilitate this workshop and demonstrate techniques to help recharge your whole body while enhancing your energy, your posture and coordination.
- Email: projects@sncc.org.au or call 4751 3033 to book (bookings for these workshops are essential).
Minister for Mental Health Tanya Davies said the message this year is that you don’t have to be a mental health expert, just a supportive friend and a good listener to help “tackle the stigma that still exists around mental illness”.
“If you notice changes in behaviour from those around you or in yourself, seek help, reach out and talk to your GP about supports that are available.”
- For more information or to get involved in Mental Health Month 2018, visit mentalhealthmonth.wayahead.org.au or call Lifeline for urgent crisis support on 13 11 14 or the NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511.
