The escalation of mental health issues across the Hunter Region will come into focus next week as part of a community forum at Cessnock.
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Hosted by the Tenison Woods Education Centre’s social justice committee, based at Lochinvar, the Being Well forum will attempt to open a dialogue on mental health and offer advice to care for those in need.
Guest speakers will include ABC sports broadcaster Craig Hamilton who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2000 and internationally respected leader in the prevention of mental illness and suicide Jaelea Skehan.
More than ever before, we have individuals, families and communities wanting to be part of a conversation about what being mentally healthy means and get a better understanding of the realities of living with mental illness.
We know that four million Australians will experience mental illness this year alone. Many more of us will be affected as family members, friends, colleagues or school mates. No longer can we consider mental illness to be a fringe issue affecting only a few. In fact, it affects us all.
Some days I think we are making great progress, but we still have a long way to go. The reality is that the stigma associated with mental illness still exists.
If you or anyone you know needs help please call:
- Lifeline on 131 114
- Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
- Parent Line on 132 055
After a decade of effort to increase awareness and knowledge about mental illness, some people still return to work following an episode of mental illness to silence and averted gazes.
Some family and friends of those living with a mental illness still sit at home with no one to talk to about how they are coping, while we cook food and check in on our friends with a sick child.
And we still have men and women of all ages who know that what they are thinking and feeling may be caused by mental illness, but feel unable to reach out and get to the help they need.
People across the region are invited to a free forum next week at Cessnock Leagues Club to keep the conversation going.
The forum will focus on what everyone can do to build resilience, manage adversity and take care of their mental health. It will also include information about the role we can all play in supporting the mental health of those around them – at home, at work, at school or at play.
The forum will feature Craig Hamilton, ABC Broadcaster, author and mental health advocate, who will talk candidly about life’s ups and downs and what it means to stay balanced, connected and well.
Being mentally healthy and living well is important to every single one of us – whether we are living with a mental illness or not. It’s about enjoying life and fulfilling your potential. It’s having the ability to cope with stresses and sadness, and it’s about being connected to those around us.
We all know that to keep a car going, we have to fill it with petrol, check the oil and water regularly and give the tires some air.
To see a bank balance grow, we need to make steady deposits.
But how often do we take the time to reflect on whether we are giving ourselves what we need to flourish and live well?
Living a healthy life is also important to those recovering from mental illness and the friends and family who are involved in their lives.
In this regard, Craig Hamilton is nothing but inspiring. He gives hope to those who are struggling, that life can and will be different in the future.
But it can be so easy for us to take our mental health for granted; to prioritise other things; to put it off until next week.
I am the first one to admit that at times I need to be reminded to practice what I preach. Like many others, there are times when I take on too much at work and find getting that balance between giving to others and giving to myself elusive.
So how about for one evening we don’t prioritise other things.
Whether you are looking for tips on living a mentally healthy life, needing information about how to support someone else doing it tough, or wanting some strategies to take back to your workplace, school, sporting club or community – this forum is for you.
The event will be held on Wednesday 15 July at Cessnock Leagues Club from 6.30pm. It is free to attend, but people need to register online at www.stickytickets.com.au/27160 or call 4930 9601 to reserve a seat.
Further information about mental health and wellbeing is available at:
- Hunter Institute of Mental Health – www.himh.org.au
- Partners in Depression –www.partnersdepression.com.au
- headspace – www.headspace.org.au
- beyondblue – www.beyondblue.org.au
Jaelea Skehan is director of the Hunter Institute of Mental Health and will present the Being Well community forum with Craig Hamilton.