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July 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. Currently all MHACA programs, including the Day Program, remain open
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. Currently all MHACA programs, including the Day Program, remain open
Schizophrenia Awareness Week 17-24 May
Schizophrenia is a common mental health condition which affects the way people think, feel and behave. Up to one in a 100 people experience schizophrenia worldwide, and it often develops between the late teenage years until the early 30’s but can occur at any time. There is a lot of stigma associated with schizophrenia which
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. Currently all MHACA programs, including the Day Program, remain open
MHACA Services During COVID-19
The Mental Health Association of Central Australia (MHACA) is providing an essential service to people who have severe and complex mental health issues and will continue to support our participants through this difficult time. At this stage all our programs, including the Day Program, remain open with increased hygiene and physical distancing measures in place.
Mental Health Support During COVID-19
If you are feeling anxious or distressed, or are concerned about the mental health of someone else, MHACA can assist you to find the support you need in the local community and beyond. Phone 89504600 between 8am-4pm. Outside of these hours please use phone and online services that are available 24 hours a day. Lifeline
Looking after your mental health during the coronavirus pandemic
In recent weeks the global response to the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) has escalated, making many people feel anxious and stressed. The Mental Health Association of Central Australia offers the following tips to help reduce anxiety during this time: Source information from credible sources Get information from official sources to avoid misinformation. For NT updates
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 group
New MHACA resources encourage help seeking
The Mental Health Association of Central Australia (MHACA) has developed new printed resources to encourage people to seek help early for mental health challenges or suicidal thoughts. 1 in 5 Australians are experiencing mental ill health each year and recent figures (2017-2018 Australian Bureau Statistics) show that 1 in 8 Australians are currently experiencing high
Supporting Communities in Responding to Suicide Being Used as a Threat
A resource tackling the issue of people using suicide as a threat has been redeveloped to assist Northern Territory community members and service providers to respond to this difficult issue. ‘’The Little Red Threat Book’’, originally published in 2007, has been revised and further developed by the Central Australian Life Promotion Network (LPN) with input
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MHACA participants had a great time at the Parrtjima Australia festival on the weekend, as part of the MHACA weekend group activities program.
A range of therapeutic activities are available at MHACA which are focused on educational pursuits, personal development, and increasing living skills for people experiencing mental illness. Find out more about the group activities at mhaca.org.au/supportandrecovery/groupactivities/
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Great photo of you all😀
Have a good weekend from us here at MHACA! Make sure you take some time to do something that supports your wellbeing.
Suicide Prevention Australia is searching for the unsung heroes of the suicide prevention sector. If you know someone who is dedicated to excellence in suicide prevention, nominate them for a LiFE Award today. Nominations close on Sunday 18 April.
ow.ly/1MeR50E7UHY
If you are a carer in Alice Springs come along to the next social gathering and lunch hosted by MHACA, Carers NT and Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia NT next Thursday 15 April at Watertank Cafe. RSVP's essential to info@mhaca.org.au
Check out the April edition of Mental Health Matters - MHACA's monthly E-newsletter - mailchi.mp/49030a760ca4/mental-health-matters-news-opportunities
Kate Worden, Minister for Territory Families and Urban Housing and Minister for Disabilities, dropped by MHACA yesterday with Policy Advisor Martin Reilly to hear more about MHACA's Tenancy Support Program (TSP). The TSP is a person-centred, short term support program for people with mental health difficulties who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
In the last financial year TSP supported 48 clients, 72.5% of whom were new to the program. 56.3% of the participants who accessed the program in 2019/20 were Aboriginal. Of the 48 clients supported, 82.8% have a diagnosed mental illness and are currently receiving treatment from mental health services.
Minister Worden and Martin Reilly are pictured here with Christine Boocock, MHACA Programs Manager, Ruby Shoko, Tenancy Support Program Team Leader and Helen Lambert, Acting CEO.
Did you know 1.3% of Australians are living with bipolar disorder? Tomorrow is World Bipolar Day and SANE Australia is putting the focus on bipolar disorder and relationships, providing resources, online discussions, Q&As, and hosting lived experience perspectives on this topic.
Find out more and be part of the discussion to #endthestigma about Bipolar Disorder.
Celebrating World Bipolar Day at SANE and how you can get involved
www.sane.org
This World Bipolar Day we are raising awareness in partnership with people who live with bipolar. Find out how you can be a part of this day and reduce stigma.It's on again this weekend! Ten Pin Bowling as part of the MHACA monthly group activities calendar. We hope you get to do something fun weekend this weekend too - prioritising time to do the things we enjoy is important for good mental health!
#mentalhealth #endthestigma
It has been great to have Consumer Consultant Sandy Watson visiting Alice Springs as part of the Promoting Peer Work in the NT Project facilitated by MHACA.
Sandy is from Sydney and was in the first group of Consumer Consultants employed in Australia. She has had roles including consumer advocate, consumer representative, consumer network co-ordinator; workshop writer and educator, as well as being a public speaker.
She shared her insights with MHACA participants and staff and also facilitated a Self-advocacy workshop for people with lived experience focusing on what self-advocacy is, what the foundations of self-advocacy are, and how self-advocacy ties in with human rights and self-directed recovery.
Promoting Peer Work in the NT is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services to create employment opportunities for peer workers in the Northern Territory.
