News
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
Productivity Commission Draft Report Into Mental Health
Public comment closed this week to the Australian Productivity Commission Draft Report Into Mental Health. MHACA was broadly supportive of the draft report, however highlighted some key concerns in our submission: The draft report does not consider in depth the very key role of the community managed mental health support sector in assisting people with mental health
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 group
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 Calendar To participate in MHACA group activities you
December 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 December Group Activities Calendar To participate in MHACA group
Productivity Commission Inquiry into Mental Health Draft Report Release
The Productivity Commission Inquiry into Mental Health Draft Report was released 31st October. The Productivity Commission estimated that mental illness costs Australia $180 billion annually. It noted that the rate of mental health presentations at emergency departments has risen by about 70 per cent over the past 15 years. The draft report has “documented long-standing
Group Activities Calendar November
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 Group Activities Calendar November 2019 To participate in
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Stress Less In The Park was awarded the Community Event of The Year at the Centralian Citizen Awards yesterday.
MHACA Health Promotion Unit Manager Helen Lambert and CEO Merrilee Cox received the award on behalf of the Stress Less In The Park Committee which included representatives from NDIS Alice Springs, Salvation Army, Mental Illness Fellowship NT, Central Australia Health Service and Anglicare.
Stress Less in the Park is a feature event of Mental Health Week and provides a community focus on mental health and wellbeing. The event aims to break down stigma in the community around mental health conditions, raise awareness about local service options and provide educational information for consumers and carers.
The event was in its’ seventh year in 2020. 18 service providers were present and shared information with community members and Robyn Lambley MLA provided an opening address. The event also included a Welcome to Country, musical performances, kids activities, and refreshments.
The event was organised by the Mental Health Association of Central Australia, with the support of a local committee, and implemented a COVID Safety Plan.
A special thankyou to the Northern Territory PHN for their support of this event, and the Alice Springs Town Council
Comment on Facebook 242081659565651_1109764822797326
Well done Merrilee!
Well done team
Whilst MHACA will be closed tomorrow - Tuesday - as it is a public holiday, this is a reminder that the online SANE Australia lived experience and carer's consumer forums are available and moderated at all times at mhaca.saneforums.org
Mental Health Association Central Australia updated their info in the about section.
Craft is good for the soul! Craft can alleviate the symptoms of anxiety, depression, loneliness and even dementia some community members report in recent large research studies. MHACA runs a craft group for people with mental health challenges every Thursday. Find more about the group activities at MHACA at mhaca.org.au/supportandrecovery/groupactivities/
Keeping active is important for our mental health. Only one third of Australians are getting enough exercise. Australian guidelines recommend adults do at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week. Exercise releases chemicals like endorphins and serotonin that can help with anxiety, depression and can improve your mood. You don’t have to run a marathon or join a sports team, even just a short work can make a difference.
If you need some support on getting started go to www.healthdirect.gov.au/tips-for-getting-active
For more healthy lifestyle tips go to mhaca.org.au/mentalhealthpromotion/communitywellbeing/healthyminds/
Have you checked out the resources at Head to Health yet?
headtohealth.gov.au/
Head to Health can help you find digital mental health services from some of Australia’s most trusted mental health organisations.
Provided by the Australian Department of Health, Head to Health brings together apps, online programs, online forums, and phone services, as well as a range of digital information resources.
Whether you are trying to improve your own sense of wellbeing, looking for help with something that is bothering you, or helping someone you care about—Head to Health is a good place to start.
#lookafteryourmentalhealth #endthestigma
headtohealth.gov.au
Head to Health can help you find Australian digital mental health and wellbeing resources, for yourself or for someone you care about.
TeamHEALTH offers free mental health support to all Territorians between 8am-8pm 7 days a week via the TeamTALK phoneline. Call: 1800 TEAM 00 (1800 832 600)
You don’t need to have a mental illness, either now or in the past, to access TeamTALK. People can quickly access an experienced NT based counsellor or mental health recovery worker for a judgement free, confidential chat.
Why might you access TeamTALK?
• You don’t have many people or anyone you can talk to; you feel disconnected and isolated
• You simply want a neutral and confidential ‘sounding board’ to discuss some of your concerns, such as loss of job, business or other.
• You feel that you are increasingly stressed, and at risk of mental illness or relapsing
• You want some assistance with practical strategies to cope
#endthestigma #reachout
The ‘Let’s Talk’ podcast series, which can be found on the Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health website, is produced by journalist Kia Handley and is all about mental health issues in rural and regional Australia.
Hear from people who have battled with their mental health, who have been through tragedy and have come out of the other side and also from some of the people who have helped them on their journey.
www.crrmh.com.au/get-help-now/self-help-resources/podcasts/
Podcasts | Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health
www.crrmh.com.au
Each year, one in five of us will experience a mental health problem. Mental health problems are common but they are also treatable. Yet, if you live in the city, you are more likely to access help th..."The NDIS support coordination team has helped me in a good way. When I was depressed, when I was not happy, when I was emotional, when everything was hard at first. MHACA helps me with lots of things, including getting the stuff I really need.
The best thing about MHACA is that we can talk about anything, when we want to really get it out there instead of keeping it in all of the time. Sometimes you don’t know what is happening, but then with support you can see what’s happening now.
My hopes for the future is to return home and just enjoy my life."
Tiffany
For more information on MHACA NDIS Services email ndis@mhaca.org.au or call 89504600
