News
February D2DL Calendar Out Now!
Check out the February Calendar jam packed with fun things to do. As usual, please book into activities at least one week in advance where possible. D2DL Calendar February 2017
Forming new habits
Do you make New Years resolutions? Statistics show that although 75% of New Years resolutions are kept for the first week of January and less than half make it through the first 6 months. Let’s talk about this topic during at our regular Tuesday talk. Helpful or harmful? You make the call! Are you interested
Carer Burnout!
The busy holiday period is over, which usually means it’s time that when burnout hits us. During this live chat we look at the warning signs of burn out and explores ways manage it.
Ending the Stigma of Mental Health Illnesses.
It is just a mental illness – I can help you understand….
Suicide Story wins the NT Fitzgerald Human Rights Award for Social Change
Our Suicide Story program was honoured to receive The Northern Territory Fitzgerald Human Rights award for Social Change last week in Darwin. We would like to extend a big thanks to the officials and judges for acknowledging the program with this prestigious award, among so many incredible nominations. We are very proud of ‘Suicide Story – Our
Launch of Watchful Eyes painting by Akeyulerre Healing Centre
We were very happy to have the ladies from the Akeyulerre Healing Centre visit yesterday, to celebrate the launch of a beautiful painting called “Watchful Eyes.” “Watchful Eyes” was commissioned by MHACA to celebrate Mental Health Week in 2016, and sponsored by a grant from the Northern Territory Government Community Benefit Fund. This painting was created by Margaret Turner, Patricia
Day to Day Living December 2016 – January 2017 Calendar Released!
MHACA offers a fantastic range of activities as part of our Day to Day Living program. Click on the calendar link below to see what’s on offer in December 2016 – January 2017. D2DL December 2016 – January 2017 Calendar Please contact us on 8950 4600 for further information, or if you would like to attend an activity.
Rosie Batty visits MHACA
We were very pleased to host Rosie Batty, domestic violence campaigner and the 2015 Australian of the Year, on Tuesday 8 November. Participants and staff were thrilled to hear Rosie speak and draw parallels with our own work to support victims of domestic violence. “Personal safety is vital to good mental health” according to our CEO Sabine Wedemeyer. A person
Stress Less in the Park – a fun morning out in Mental Health Week 2016
‘Stress Less in the Park’ was a fabulous morning celebrating Mental Health Week on the Alice Springs Hospital Lawns on Friday 14 October. The atmosphere was fantastic – everyone was smiling and soaking up the sunshine and the CAAMA live broadcast. The feedback from the public was really positive, and there was the best attendance from
Beautiful exhibits from The Art of Our Healing
The Art of Our Healing was an exhibition by participants of the Mental Health Association of Central Australia to celebrate Mental Health Week from 9-15 October 2016. Mental Health Week is Australia’s way of raising community awareness about mental health and celebrates World Mental Health Day which falls on 10 October every year. It’s a chance
Facebook
MHACA will be having a strong focus on physical health this year as part of our Healthy Bodies Support Healthy Minds health promotion campaign.
People living with mental illness experience much poorer physical health than others for a range of reasons including side effects of medications, silos between physical and mental health services, stigma and discrimination, and ‘diagnostic overshadowing’.
However we all can do things to support our mental health every day - Keeping Active, Eating Well, Sleeping More and Reducing Alcohol, Smoking and Other Drugs.
#mentalhealth #endthestigma
Exciting news. Rosemary Wanganeen from the Australian Institute Of Loss and Grief will be a feature speaker at MHACA's International Women's Day Event 12-1pm Tuesday 10th March. A free event but spaces are limited so make sure you book your place at events.humanitix.com.au/overcoming-adversity
MHACA is working to reduce the stigma of mental ill health this International Women's Day.
#mentalhealth #endthestigma
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 from people who have lived experience of this issue.
The book will be launched on Friday February 21st from 10:00am-11:00am in the Andy McNeill Room, Alice Springs Town Council. All are welcome and people working in the community services sector are highly encouraged to join the LPN and special guests to launch this important community resource. Light refreshments will be provided and all attendees will receive a free copy of The Little Red Threat Book. The launch will be followed by the Central Australia Life Promotion Network Meeting at 11am; all those with an interest in suicide prevention are welcome to stay for the meeting.
“The Little Red Threat Book responds to community concerns about the increase in people threatening suicide and provides useful support suggestions for those involved, “said Peter Devine, Manager Community Safety, MacDonnell Regional Council and LPN Chair/Board Member.
The first edition of the Little Red Threat Book was produced in 2007 after a community workshop was held to explore this emerging issue. The Life Promotion Program, as part of the Mental Health Association of Central Australia (MHACA), coordinated the workshop. The book has been reprinted multiple times and has been a valuable resource for community members and service providers over the last decade.
In 2019, the Central Australian Life Promotion Network received funding from the Northern Territory Government, Department of Health & Minister Natasha Fyles, to organise, host and facilitate a Suicide Prevention Forum in Central Australia that would inform a revised version of the Little Red Threat Book. The LPN was established in 2017 as part of the Wesley Lifeforce networks, and is facilitated by MHACA, MacDonnell Regional Council, Lifeline Central Australia, Australian Red Cross and the National Indigenous Australians Agency.
In August 2019, people from Aboriginal communities, people with lived experience of suicide and representatives from local service organisations came together at the Suicide Prevention Forum to share experiences and explore responses to suicide being used as a threat. The forum heard directly from people who have been impacted by this issue, as well as from successful suicide prevention programs.
“The book tackles a problem that has felt difficult, confusing and dangerous for many people. In the workshops, participants expressed an understanding that people making suicidal threats are often affected by trauma and the frustrations of unmet needs. Responses explored in the book revolve around expressing care, supporting collective safety and finding ways to meet unmet needs without reinforcing unsafe behaviour,” said Peter Devine.
“Suicide as a threat is a complex issue and this book does not have all the answers, but the LPN has developed this resource in the hope that it will help people be more confident to provide the appropriate support in these difficult situations,” said Peter Devine.
The book can be downloaded at mhaca.org.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/Little-Red-Threat-Book.pdf
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide or experiencing a personal crisis, please contact Lifeline 13 11 14.
#mentalhealth #endthestigma
SANE Australia's Topic Tuesday Lived Experience Forum is about The Pet Effect: Animals are good for our wellbeing! Tune in this Tuesday 18th February 5.30-7.30pm NT Time at mhaca.saneforums.org/t5/Special-Events/Topic-Tuesday-The-pet-effect-animals-are-good-for-our-well...
#endthestigma #mentalhealth
Eating healthy food has been a focus this week at MHACA as part of Smart Eating Week. We've had fresh fruit and veges available every day for participants, a special healthy cooking class followed by a shared participant and staff lunch, and we have shared information by emails and social media.
When it comes to supporting good mental health, our diet plays a critical role. Beyond the physical health impacts, diets high in saturated fats and refined sugars impact how we feel. We need to avoid processed food and incorporate a diet which includes drinking plenty of water and enjoying a wide variety of foods from the five food groups (vegetables, fruit, grains, meat/alternatives and dairy/alternatives) every day.
Find more information at daa.asn.au/smart-eating-for-you/smart-eating-fast-facts/
#healthyeating #mentalhealth
Three important food facts from ReachOut.com Australia -
1. Drink water. Water constitutes up to 60% of the human body, so when you feel thirsty, your hands-down best choice is water. Treat soft drinks, energy drinks and even juices as an occasional treat.
2. Don’t fear fats. Fats are part of a healthy diet. But not all fats are the same. Unsaturated fats, like those found in avocados, nuts and olive oil, should play an important part in your diet. Avoid saturated and trans-fats – found in butter, fried food, pastries and cakes – as much as possible.
3. Cut down on sugar. In 2015, the World Health Organization made a strong recommendation that adults reduce their sugar intake to less than 10% of their total daily calories. As a rough guide, this means fewer than ten teaspoons of sugar per day. Just one can of soft drink contains this amount of sugar, so you can see that you’ve got to keep a close eye on the sweet stuff.
If you need some support to make some healthier food choices check out more tips at:
au.reachout.com/articles/how-to-make-healthy-food-choices
#healthyeating #mentalhealth
How to make healthy food choices
au.reachout.com
Learn the benefits of eating well and get a step-by-step guide to making healthy food choices.It's Smart Eating Week at MHACA because we know a healthy diet supports a healthy mind.
Studies are showing that the Mediterranean Diet is having good results with improving depression symptoms and mood. But what is it?
The Mediterranean Diet is a mostly plant-based diet which also encourages regular exercise, eating 3 main meals a day and enjoying meals with friends and family. Food encouraged in the diet includes:
A daily intake of…
- Vegetables
- Fruit
- Legumes/beans
- Nuts and seeds
- Whole grains
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Free range eggs
A moderate amount of…
- Fish/seafood (at least two servings each week)
- Lean white meat (at least two servings each week)
- Low fat milk, cheese, yoghurt and alternatives
And not so much…
- - Red meat (less than 2 servings per week)
- - Processed meat (limit intake)
- - Discretionary foods such as processed sweets, lollies, pastries, juice, soft drinks (limit to special occasions)
You can find some more information in this article: www.healthline.com/nutrition/mediterranean-diet-meal-plan#foods-to-avoid
#eatinghealthy #mentalhealth
A healthy diet supports good mental health. The Australian Dietary Guidelines offer an approach to eating to promote health and wellbeing and reduce the risk of diet-related conditions and chronic diseases.
The Guidelines include:
1.To achieve and maintain a healthy weight, be physically active and choose amounts of nutritious food and drinks to meet your energy needs.
2. Drink plenty of water and enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods from the five food groups (vegetables, fruit, grains/cereals, meats/alternative and dairy/alternatives) every day.
3. Limit intake of foods containing saturated fat, added salt, added sugars and alcohol.
4. Encourage, support and promote breastfeeding.
5. Care for your food; prepare and store it safely.
The Guidelines are intended as a framework for healthy eating among the general population. They may not be exactly right for every individual as we’re all unique with differing health challenges, goals, and lifestyles. If you have specific needs talk to your doctor or get tailored nutrition advice from an Accredited Practising Dietitian.
#healthyeating #mentalhealth
It's Smart Eating Week; a week facilitated by the Dieticians of Central Australia to encourage Territorians to make healthier food choices.
Eating well is important to support good mental health, but where do you get information to assist making good food choices? These days it seems that everyone is a nutrition expert from TV celebrities to Instagram sensations to qualified health professionals.
It's important you get information from reputable sources like the Dieticians Association of Australia daa.asn.au/ and The Heart Foundation www.heartfoundation.org.au/ You can find the Australian Dietary Guidelines at www.eatforhealth.gov.au/
#food #eathealthy #mentalhealth
www.eatforhealth.gov.au
The Australian Dietary Guidelines (the Guidelines) provide up-to-date advice about the amount and kinds of foods that we need to eat for health and wellbeing. The recommendations are based on scientif...