OCTOBER is Mental Health Month and members of the Bega Valley Mental Health committee - a sub committee of Bega Valley Suicide Prevention Action Network (SPAN) - have planned a range of activities to take place across the shire.
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A calendar of events for the month has been published, following the theme this year of Be YOUnique.
As well as advertising existing activities to foster community connectivity, the calendar includes activities/workshops to encourage both participation and access to information from existing health providers.
One of the main local activities scheduled to conclude Mental Health Month is a return walk along the recently completed walking/bike track at the junction of the Brogo and Bega rivers picnic area to the old racecourse on October 29 between 11am and 1.30pm.
In its inaugural year, Walk With Us, Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention, will be officially launched by patron Dr Mike Kelly at 12.30pm, followed by guest speaker Faye Jackson, Deputy Mental Health Commissioner.
The event will be emceed by ABC South East Radio’s Ian Campbell.
“With the latest statistics stating nearly half of Australians will experience a mental health problem in their lifetime, it is more important than ever that we continue to educate the community about the early warning signs of mental illness and encourage people to seek help,” SPAN chairwoman Liz Seckold said.
“It is important too that people understand that mental health problems are no different from physical health problems and in most cases they are highly treatable.”
Mental Health Month is part of a national mental health promotion campaign with the main day of awareness being World Mental Health Day on October 10.
On this day Bega Valley SPAN will hold an information stall promoting good mental health at the SCPA markets in Littleton Gardens between 8am and 1pm.
Throughout the month meditation and mindfulness workshops, art, cooking and woodwork classes, as well as a number of mental health and suicide prevention education sessions are scheduled.
This year’s theme promotes acceptance and understanding of the impact that being proud of who we are can have on our wellbeing; to celebrate our strengths and differences and be ourselves.
“Let’s celebrate our strengths and differences and be ourselves,” Ms Seckold said.
She also particularly thanked Tracey Escreet and Laetitia Carrol for “the fabulous lot of work they do”.
