News
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
Day to Day Living November 2016 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 November 2016. D2DL November 2016 Calendar Please contact us on 8950 4600 for further information, or if you would like to attend an activity.
New Mental Health Tenancy Support Program
MHACA is excited to announce a new program with a focus on supporting participants to obtain and maintain secure housing. The program emphasises a client centred approach with an aim to deliver a holistic and tailored plan for the individual. Along with the new program we also welcome the two new Tenancy Support Workers who
Media Release: The Art of Our Healing
There’s something more than just art and craft happening in the art groups on Thursdays at the Mental Health Association of Central Australia. For the past four months, participants of MHACA have sat together in the Drop in Centre on Lindsay Avenue creating art for an exhibition. Tender hands have lovingly crafted felt, papier mâché,
Day to Day Living October 2016 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 October 2016. D2DL October 2016 Calendar Please contact us on 8950 4600 for further information, or if you would like to attend an activity.
Olympic festivities at MHACA
Our Day to Day Living Program and Drop In Centre were buzzing through August with a special atmosphere celebrating personal achievement and cultural diversity, coinciding with the Olympic Games. We kicked off the festival with a pancake breakfast on the 5th August, where the MHACA Olympic torch was lit. Thanks to Mike our Training Co-ordinator
Day to Day Living September 2016 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 September 2016. D2DL September 2016 Calendar Please contact us on 8950 4600 for further information, or if you would like to attend an activity.
Day to Day Living August 2016 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 August 2016. D2DL August 2016 Calendar Please contact us on 8950 4600 for further information, or if you would like to attend an activity.
MHACA – a Finalist in the 2016 Telstra Business Awards
MHACA are thrilled to have been nominated and recognised as a finalist in the Inaugural Charity Category of the Telstra Business Awards. Entering its 24th year, the Telstra Business awards celebrate the contributions and achievements of the small and medium business sector. In 2016, a new category for Charities has been added to recognise the
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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
