Don’t forget it is Mental Health Week!
Claire Naidu & Co has listed some of the activities and events that are on this week in the Australian Capital Territory.
For more information about these events and more can be located on the Mental Health Week website, http://www.mentalhealthweekact.org/
Monday October 5
Walk to the Top of Oz
Belconnen Community Service – www.bcsact.com.au
This event commences on 5 October with weekly training sessions leading up to the main event on 29 October. Training sessions will commence at Mt Ainslie and culminate with a walk to the top of Mt Kosciuszko. This event promotes physical fitness, social inclusiveness and goal setting.
Belconnen Community Service received a reimbursement grant from the Mental Health Week Committee to assist with this event.
Monday October 5
Women’s Blog Launch
Women’s Centre for Health Matters –www.wchm.org.au
WCHM has been running workshops on blogging for women as a means of empowering them to tell their own stories. The blogs will be officially launched on Monday 5 October via www.wchm.org.au with new blogs posted each day during Mental Health Week.
The blogs are freely available from 5 Oct.
For more info call 6290 2166 or go to www.wchm.org.au
Tuesday October 6
Launch of Mental Health Week & Awards Ceremony
10am – Southern Cross Club, 96 Corinna St, Phillip
Join the Mental Health sector as we come together to celebrate the wonderful achievements of organisations and individuals who help empower people and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. Minister Simon Corbell MLA will officially launch the week.
For more info call 6249 7756 or go to www.mentalhealthweekact.org
Free to attend/ Everyone welcome/ Morning tea provided
Tuesday October 6
Mental Health & Wellbeing Expo
11am – 2pm Southern Cross Club, 96 Corinna St, Phillip
With over 70 stalls plus fun entertainment, save the date as this expo is not to be missed. Everyone is welcome to attend and learn more about what mental health and wellbeing services are available in your local area.
For more info call 6249 7756 or go to www.mentalhealthweekact.org
Free to attend/ Everyone welcome
Tuesday October 6
Mindscapes Festival – Short Film & Poetry night
6.30 – 8.30pm Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen
Genevieve Jacobs from Canberra’s 666 ABC Mornings program will officially launch the ever popular Mindscapes Festival followed by a short film screening and poetry recitals.
For more info call 6249 7756 or go to www.mentalhealthweekact.org
Free to attend/ Everyone welcome/ Refreshments provided
Tuesday October 6
Our Stories Our Lives – Performance
5pm Theo Notaras Multicultural Centre, 180 London Circuit, Civic
The University of the Third Age will present the U3A Mental Health Forum followed by a 15 minute discussion
For more info go to www.u3acanberra.org.au
Free to attend/ Everyone welcome
Tuesday October 6
Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope
Canberra Men’s Centre – Civic
Facilitated by a cartoonist, participants will be able to explore change in a creative and non-judgmental environment that encourages hope and recognition of strengths. To attend, contact the Men’s Centre.
For more info go to www.menscentre.org.au
Canberra Men’s Centre received a reimbursement grant from the Mental Health Week Committee to assist with this event.
Tuesday October 6
Art Exhibition Opening – Make Stupidity History
7pm The Front Gallery, 1 Wattle Place, Lyneham
The residents of Ainslie Village Art Haven have been working up a sweat in the studio with director Tilly Davey, to explore the materials which are offered in the arts and to define ideas which come to mind.
Free to attend/ Everyone welcome
Ainslie Village received a reimbursement grant from the Mental Health Week Committee to assist with this event.
Wednesday October 7
Mish Mash Variety Night
7 – 9pm Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen
In what is expected to an awe-inspiring evening of entertainment, this performance presents the positive experiences of people living with mental illness and showcases their amazing abilities.
For more info call 6249 7756 or go to www.mentalhealthweekact.org
Free to attend/ Everyone welcome but not suitable for children
Wednesday October 7
Catholic Care Family Movie Night
4.30 pm Australian Catholic Uni – Blackfriars Blg, Room B8
Join in the fun of this free family movie night with popcorn and refreshments available. The movie selection will be confirmed closer to the date.
For more info go to www.catholiccare.cg.org.au/ 6163 7600
Free to attend/ Everyone welcome
Catholic Care received a reimbursement grant from the Mental Health Week Committee to assist with this event
Wednesday October 7
Bounce Back After Bullying
All day event Carers ACT Main Office, Holt
This program aims to give young carers aged 12-17 the tools and support to build resilience and confidence while strengthening wellbeing.
For more info go to www.carersact.org.au
Free to attend/ Limited places
Carers ACT received a reimbursement grant from the Mental Health Week Committee to assist with this event
Thursday October 8
Mixed Media Exhibition – Launch
12.30pm Belconnen Community Service, 26 Chandler St, Belconnen
A mixed media exhibition that celebrates positive mental health and wellbeing. The exhibition will run from Sept 29 to Oct 16.
For more info go to www.bcsact.com.au
Free to attend/ Everyone welcome
Thursday October 8
Hope & Recovery Forum
2 – 4pm Room 6/ Lvl 1/ 20 Genge st, Civic
Based on the very popular ABC Q&A program, this forum coordinated by Woden Community Service will provide an interactive opportunity for people to discuss mental health issues.
Please RVSP/submit questions to kath.laffey@wcs.org.au
Free to attend/ Everyone welcome
Thursday October 8
A Day of Everyday Wellbeing
10am – 3pm 45 McKinlay St, Narrabundah
Inanna is holding a wellbeing day featuring yoga, art sessions, a drumming group as well as massage and nail therapists
For more info call 6163 6300 or go to www.inanna.org.au
Free to attend/ This is event is suitable for women
Inanna received a reimbursement grant from the Mental Health Week Committee to assist with this event
Thursday October 8
Borderline Personality Disorder Forum
1.30- 3.30pm Legislative Assembly, London Circuit, Civic
This forum is an opportunity to hear about the Women’s Centre for Health Matter’s local research, which explores the lived experiences of ACT women diagnosed or labelled with BPD.
Please RVSP by 1 October through this link/ ph 6290 2166/ www.wchm.org.au
Free to attend/ Everyone welcome
WCHM received a reimbursement grant from the Mental Health Week Committee to assist with this event
Thursday October 8
Mind the Art – ACT Mental Health Consumer Network
10am – 2pm – Room 8, Level 2, The Griffin Centre, Civic
An opportunity for people with lived experience of mental illness to come together for an art workshop and contribute to a painting collage.
For more info ph: 6230 5796 or email actmhcn@actmhcn.org.au
Free to attend/ Everyone welcome
ACT MHCN received a reimbursement grant from the Mental Health Week Committee to assist with this event
Friday October 9
Pop Up in the City
11am – 2pm Garema Place, Civic
Catholic Care is hosting a fun pop up stall with free give-aways, art therapy, a message tree and an opportunity to learn about local services.
For more info go to www.catholiccare.cg.org.au/ 6163 7600
Free to attend/ Everyone welcome
Catholic Care received a reimbursement grant from the Mental Health Week Committee to assist with this event
Friday October 9
Our Communities/ Our Stories
12pm – 3pm 67/ 20 Gooreen St, Reid
St Vincent de Paul are holding a workshop that uses art to tell the stories of recovery and hope within our community.
For more info go to www.vinnies.org.au/ Places limited
St Vincent de Paul received a reimbursement grant from the Mental Health Week Committee to assist with this event
Friday October 9
ABC Drive – Happy Hour Live Cross
4.30 – 6pm Arc Cinema, National Film & Sound Archive
Join the ABC’s Drive team for what promises to be a fun hour filled with laughter as part of ABC’s Mental As program.
For more details go to www.abc.net.au or click here.
Free to attend/ Everyone welcome
Saturday October 10
Crafternoon – Volunteering & Contact ACT
11.30am – 2.30pm Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Way, Belconnen
Join in the fun of this interactive afternoon focuses on all types of art including cartooning, jewelry making and origami.
Please RSVP by Fri 25 Sept. Places limited.
To RSVP or for details email Rachel at connections@vc-act.org.au or ph: 6251 4060
Free to attend/ everyone welcome
Volunteering and Contact ACT received a reimbursement grant from the Mental Health Week Committee to assist with this event.
Saturday October 10
Closing Ceremony – Self Portraits/ Self Expression
11am – 2pm National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place, Parkes
As part of the closing ceremony, join in an interactive art workshop and view self-portraits by the ACT Health art therapy group, which express their own personal experiences of mental health matters.
Light luncheon included
Free to attend/ Everyone welcome
Saturday October 10
Better Performance through Better Sleep Seminar
Hartley Lifecare – 6 Hodgson Place, Pearce
This seminar and optional workshop provides you with a unique opportunity to find out from expert presenters how improving your sleep can maximize your everyday performance. Places are limited.
For more details ph. 6282 4411 or email soniasingh@hartley.org.au
Seminar – $30, Full Day with workshop (light lunch included) – $90
Tuesday October 13
Good Day Out – Sunflower Services
All day event
Join in this cultural day trip to Cooma for a walk and special welcoming ceremony by indigenous elders to learn more about indigenous culture.
For more info ph: 6257 0512 or go to www.sfnsw.com.au
Free to attend/ Everyone welcome but places limited
Sunflower Services received a reimbursement grant from the Mental Health Week Committee to assist with this event
Monday October 19
The Rainbow – Official Opening
11am Chifley Health and Wellbeing Hub, cnr Eggleston & Maclaurin Cres.
Mental Health Foundation ACT will be officially opening The Rainbow with a colourful celebration. Come down and join in the fun and learn about this great local service.
For more details email bradley.hyde@mhf.org.au
Free to attend/ Everyone welcome/ RSVPs appreciated for catering
More information about these events and more can be located on the Mental Health Week website, http://www.mentalhealthweekact.org/
Want to know how you can be involved this week? You can ACT, you can COMMIT and you can BELONG.
Act Keep mentally, physically, socially and spiritually active, eg take a walk
Belong Join a club, take a class, volunteer, stay connected, make new friends
Commit Take up a cause, help a neighbour, learn something new