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June Group Activities Calendar
The MHACA Group Activities program is a community based program which aims to improve the quality of life for individuals with mental illness by offering structured and socially based activities. Group activities also provide an opportunity for participants to develop personally and professionally as Peers. Download the June Group Activities Calendar To participate in MHACA
Career Opportunity – Pathways Activities Officer
In keeping with MHACA’s vision, the Pathways Program promotes opportunities and choices for people with mental health difficulties in a supportive and facilitative environment that promotes recovery. It is a welcoming environment offering practical assistance and facilities as well as access to structured social, educational creative and therapeutic programs. The Pathways Program Activities Officer works
Career Opportunity – Suicide Prevention Project Officer
The Suicide Prevention Project Officer will work under the direction of the Health Promotion Unit Manager to coordinate the development and delivery of evidence-based, effective, and culturally safe suicide prevention initiatives. The Officer will play a key role in the identification of need and the implementation of projects in relation to suicide prevention across Central
May Group Activities Calendar
The MHACA Group Activities program is a community based program which aims to improve the quality of life for individuals with mental illness by offering structured and socially based activities. Group activities also provide an opportunity for participants to develop personally and professionally as Peers. Download the May Group Activities Calendar To participate in MHACA
Are They OK? A Free Suicide Prevention Presentation
The Mental Health Association Of Central Australia (MHACA) is offering workplaces and community groups a free 60 minute presentation designed to equip attendees with basic information on how to support others who may be thinking about suicide or are in crisis. Learn how to notice, how to have a conversation and what options there are
April Group Activities Calendar
The MHACA Group Activities program is a community based program which aims to improve the quality of life for individuals with mental illness by offering structured and socially based activities. Group activities also provide an opportunity for participants to develop personally and professionally as Peers. Download the April Group Activities Calendar To participate in MHACA
March Group Activities Calendar
The MHACA Group Activities program is a community based program which aims to improve the quality of life for individuals with mental illness by offering structured and socially based activities. Group activities also provide an opportunity for participants to develop personally and professionally as Peers. Download the March Group Activities Calendar To participate in MHACA
The Positive Influences of Music on Mental Health
“Music is a universal language for everyone, it helps relax people.” Brian Clyne MHACA recently funded a music project to increase the wellbeing of our participants, acknowledging the positive and powerful influence that music has on peoples mental wellbeing. ‘Kututu’ in Pitjantjatjara means heart, and the foundation for the Kututu Wattleseeds is based in mediation
February Group Activities Calendar
The MHACA Group Activities program is a community based program which aims to improve the quality of life for individuals with mental illness by offering structured and socially based activities. Group activities also provide an opportunity for participants to develop personally and professionally as Peers. Download the February Group Activities Calendar To participate in MHACA
January Group Activities Calendar
The MHACA Group Activities program is a community based program which aims to improve the quality of life for individuals with mental illness by offering structured and socially based activities. Group activities also provide an opportunity for participants to develop personally and professionally as Peers. Download the January Group Activities Calendar To participate in MHACA
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Ex-NRL pLayer, professional boxer and mental health advocate Joe Williams has been in Alice Springs, visiting local schools as part of Men's Health Week, facilitated by MHACA.
Today Joe is visiting Yirara College and will be at the Men's Mental Wellbeing BBQ, 12pm Flynn Church Lawns.
The Enemy Within - Suicide Prevention Trauma Recovery & Wellbeing Education
This week is Men's Health Week and it's a good time to reflect on men's mental health.
Mental Health First Aid Australia provides some good tips on how to support a man, or someone who identifies as a man, who might be struggling:
1. Normalise self-care practices: Practice and encourage positive well-being and self-care activities. Take the time to acknowledge anyone who is taking steps to feel better about themselves and improve their mental health and overall wellbeing.
2. Look out for signs someone isn’t coping: If you know someone who doesn’t seem themselves, has shown worrying changes in their behaviours, attitudes or habits or is demonstrating signs that they might be struggling, then take steps to connect with them. Noticing and acting on signs can be the first step to a person getting help, and you may be the difference between them suffering alone or getting the support they need.
3. Connect and have conversations: Show the men in your life (family members, friends, colleagues) that it’s completely okay to talk about mental health and that there should be no stigma around it. Talking positively and proactively about mental health and normalising help seeking when times are tough is important. You can start by being open to conversations and checking in on people. “Are you ok?”, “How’s everything going?”, “I’ve noticed you don’t seem yourself, is something wrong?” are just a few simple ways to start. Show genuine concern, listen without judging, remain calm, be supportive and if needed connect the person with professional help.
Asking follow-up questions to keep the conversation going is important – this can be done at the start, and by checking in further down the track. Conversations don’t need to be formal – having a chat at the footy, over coffee or while you work for example, can be helpful.
4. Practice Mental Health First Aid: Mental Health First Aid training provides individuals with the knowledge, skills and confidence to recognise and respond to developing, existing or worsening mental health problems in someone else. Becoming a Mental Health First Aider is a great way to help the men in your life. If you’re interested in gaining these skills for yourself, workplace, school or community group then you can find out more about our courses here.
Read the full article at:
community.mhfa.com.au/improving-mens-well-being-and-resilience/?fbclid=IwAR3DLQQV5O9UC8A2nsgtAJQ0...
Improving men's well-being and resilience - MHFA Community
community.mhfa.com.au
IMPROVING MEN’S WELL-BEINGAND RESILIENCE Men’s Health Week 2021 This June we celebrate Men’s Health Week by acknowledging the factors that affect men’s mental health and well-being. Positive m...It's Men's Health Week this week! If you are in Alice Springs come down to the Flynn Church Lawns 12pm Thursday 17 July for the Men's Mental Wellbeing BBQ with special guest Joe Williams.
Joe Williams is a Wiradjuri/Wolgalu, First Nations man born in Cowra, NSW. He has had a 15 year span as a professional sports person, playing in the National Rugby League for South Sydney Rabbitohs, Penrith Panthers and Canterbury Bulldogs before switching to professional boxing in 2009. Although forging a successful professional sporting career, Joe battled the majority of his life with suicidal ideation and Bi-Polar Disorder.
Joe spends his time working to inspire youth through motivational speaking and has worked with disengaged youth in primary and secondary schools, drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres and gaols.
MHACA has facilitated Joe to provide presentations to 3 local high schools whilst he is visiting Alice Springs this week. Come and meet Joe at the Men's Mental Wellbeing BBQ this Thursday!
#MensHealthWeek #EndTheStigma #mentalhealth
Comment on Facebook It's Men's Health ...
Robert Madsen
CALL FOR INPUT: NT Lived Experience Network survey
The NT Lived Experience Network (NTLEN) has created an online survey to capture people's experience and views about the treatment and care provided by government mental health services in the NT. To complete the survey go to:
www.surveymonkey.com/r/LDZS8KL
www.surveymonkey.com
Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.It's great to see people using events like the Finke Desert Race to raise awareness about the importance of speaking up about mental health and for seeking help when you are struggling.
In Jackie's words "like everyone else, I have bad days. Sometimes bad weeks. I have had days where I couldn’t get out of bed. Days where I couldn’t work. Times when I wanted my life to end. With the help of loved ones and professionals, I have got through. None of this would’ve been possible if I didn’t speak up."
#endthestigma“This long weekend, I will be racing my motorbike in the Finke Desert Race for the first time. Finke is one of the toughest desert races in Australia, racing from Alice Springs to Finke, and back.
By doing this race, I hope to help people talk about mental health and also raise some coin for Beyond Blue. I hope by doing this, it might help people realise they can speak up and know they are not a burden.
I am mentally tough when it comes to racing motorbikes for hours straight, but I am not always so mentally tough when it comes to day-to-day life. I want to help people see that it’s okay to have good and bad days. We all do. And it’s perfectly okay to talk about the bad days too.
Although I have an awesome life and am generally very happy, my mental health has caused some stress for me throughout my life. I have struggled for years after losing my dad suddenly when I was 14, along with other things that just happen in life. I have had days where I couldn’t get out of bed. Days where I couldn’t work. Times when I wanted my life to end. With the help of loved ones and professionals, I have got through. None of this would’ve been possible if I didn’t speak up.
It’s okay to not be okay! Share your worries, and make sure your loved ones feel comfortable to share their worries with you.”
We’d like to thank Jackie for supporting Beyond Blue and for sharing her story. Stories like Jackie’s help to break down the stigma that prevents people from talking about their mental health, and reminds others about the importance of reaching out for support.
Check out Finke for Mental Health and throw your support behind Jackie this weekend!
Check out the latest mental health news and events in MHACA's June E-newsletter - Mental Health Matters! mailchi.mp/a0c19637010d/mental-health-matters-news-events
Thursday is craft at MHACA! A range of therapeutic group activities are available at MHACA which are focused on educational pursuits, personal development, and increasing living skills for people living with mental illness. Find out more about the group activities at mhaca.org.au/supportandrecovery/groupactivities/
It's Men's Health Week next week and MHACA has engaged Joe Williams to visit Alice Springs to provide motivational presentations at local high schools and speak at the Men's Mental Wellbeing BBQ on Thursday 17 June, 12pm Uniting Church Lawns Todd Mall.
Joe Williams is a Wiradjuri/Wolgalu, First Nations man born in Cowra, NSW. He has had a 15 year span as a professional sports person, playing in the National Rugby League for South Sydney Rabbitohs, Penrith Panthers and Canterbury Bulldogs before switching to professional boxing in 2009. Although forging a successful professional sporting career, Joe battled the majority of his life with suicidal ideation and Bi-Polar Disorder.
Joe is an author having released his own autobiography titled Defying The Enemy Within in 2018 and in 2017 was named as finalist in the National Indigenous Human Rights Awards for his work with suicide prevention and fighting for equality for Australia’s First Nations people.
Joe spends his time working to inspire youth through motivational speaking and has worked with disengaged youth in primary and secondary schools, drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres and gaols.
#suicideprevention #MensHealthWeek
Today is World No Tobacco Day. #CommitToQuit
Did you know that compared with the general population, people with mental illness have higher smoking rates, higher levels of nicotine dependence, and a disproportionate health and financial burden from smoking?
Get support to quit smoking at www.quit.org.au/ and www.cancercouncil.com.au/cancer-prevention/smoking/quitting-smoking/
As Schizophrenia Awareness Week comes to a close, if you haven't already, make sure you check out people's lived experience stories of living with schizophrenia, some great resources and support tips on the SANE Australia website!
#EndTheStigma
www.sane.org/spotlight-on/schizophrenia
www.sane.org
Schizophrenia is an illness that disrupts the functioning of the mind. We've put together a selection of factsheets, articles, personal stories and videos to raise awareness of this often misundersto...