News
MHACA participants feature in the Centralian Advocate
MHACA held a range of events during the week of 5-10 October to celebrate Mental Health Week. We were very fortunate to take up several opportunities to promote Mental Health Week in the local media, with three of MHACA’s participants speaking to the Centralian Advocate about their personal experiences. MHACA CEO Paul Tomaszewski was also
Mental Health Week 2015: Media Release
MEDIA RELEASE MENTAL HEALTH WEEK 2015 October 4th to 10th is Mental Health Week. In fact, October is designated as Mental Health Month. This years’ theme for Mental Health Week is “Mental Health Begins With Me” with three objectives – to reduce stigma, encourage help seeking behaviour and foster connectivity in communities. “This is a
MHACA Annual Report 2013/4
Earlier this month MHACA held its Annual General Meeting and released the 2013/4 Annual Report. It was a busy year for MHACA and you can read all about what we have been up to here.MHACA Annual Report 2013-4
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RSVP now for a free film screening of My Year Of Living Mindfully 6pm Monday 30 November at the Alice Springs Cinema - mailchi.mp/b7978e8fa0b1/free-film-screening-my-year-of-living-mindfully
The MHACA AGM is on Tuesday 24 of November 2020 at 4:30pm. Sign up to be a member of MHACA at mhaca.org.au/mhaca-membership/ and contact the MHACA office on 89504600 for Board Nomination Forms. Please RSVP by emailing info@mhaca.org.au or call 89504600.
"My DID diagnosis means that so many things from my life now make sense. I have an explanation for things that were extraordinary. They can be explained, in many cases, because a particular action or behaviour turned out to be a Voice being triggered by something. It's very liberating.
But the reality is it's very tough. It's a struggle – not just for me, but for my family, close friends and my Voices. "
Understanding the experiences of mental health conditions is important in ending the stigma around mental ill health. This is a first hand account of living with Dissociative Identity Disorder from the SANE Australia website.
#endthestigma
My life with dissociative identity disorder
www.sane.org
For some people, being diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a huge shock.It's frightening to find out you have 'personalities' in your head and they've been there for years, or th...MHACA is pleased to announce a second FREE screening of the My Year Of Living Mindfully documentary at the Alice Springs Cinema 6pm Monday 30 November.
In the midst of a global mental health crisis, millions of people have turned to mindfulness. But does it actually make us happier and healthier? In a world-first experiment, journalist Shannon Harvey recruited a team of scientists to put mindful meditation to the test.
The first screening was during Mental Health Week and many people felt quite inspired by the film.
The screening is FREE but people must RSVP to confirm their place and to fulfil COVID safety requirements. At the screening there will be a spacing of one seat between different groups of people. We encourage you to organise a group booking if you would like to sit with friends. For further information contact MHACA 89504600 or info@mhaca.org.au
Please RSVP at:
events.humanitix.com/livingmindfully2
My Year Of Living Mindfully - 2nd Screening, Alice Springs, 30th of November | Humanitix
events.humanitix.com
Please join us for the second Alice Springs screening of My Year Of Living Mindfully. In the midst of a global mental health crisis, millions of people have turned to mindfulness. But does it actually...TRAVEL ALERT
Have you recently travelled to SA? All of SA is now a declared COVID-19 hotspot.
If you have been in SA within 14 days of your arrival in the NT, you must:
• Contact the COVID-19 hotline 1800 008 002 and identify yourself as a person who has been in an area that has been declared a hotspot since you arrived in the NT
• If directed, you must submit to a test or assessment for COVID-19 infection
• Practice physical distancing (e.g. keep 1.5 metres away from others, if unwell stay home, sleep in a separate bedroom away from others, minimise contact with people) until 14 days has elapsed since your arrival in the NT.
MHACA asks all participants and guests who have travelled to SA in the last 14 days to please refrain from coming to the MHACA building and follow the above health advice.
If you are a participant of MHACA who has recently returned from South Australia and require support, please contact MHACA 89504600
More information at coronavirus.nt.gov.au/
coronavirus.nt.gov.au
Northern Territory Police have issued two men with infringement notices and moved them to the Howard Springs Quarantine Facility for breaching their quarantine requirements and completely disrespectin...MHACA is facilitating a free professional development workshop that has been designed to assist respite/support workers and service providers to support people with a disability to increase their understanding of sexuality, sexual health and relationships.
RSVP at events.humanitix.com/sexualityanddisability
Mental health challenges are common yet many people do not seek professional help. The Mental Health Association of Central Australia wants to better understand the barriers that exist for people to seek help. Can you assist by completing this short 2 question survey? All entrants go into the draw to win a Bunnings voucher worth $100, to be drawn on Friday 27 November. The survey can be completed by NT residents.
Take the survey at:
www.surveymonkey.com/r/RS25WG2
Barriers To Seeking Help For Mental Health
www.surveymonkey.com
MHACA is seeking to better understand what barriers exist for people to seek help when they are experiencing mental health challenges. Can you assist by completing this short 2 question survey?Comment on Facebook MHACA is seeking to ...
Don't bother, mental health is severely underfunded and understaffed
And this is why we use plants to expand our minds so that we can increase the minds ability to comprehend and so look deeper into the mysteries if only a small amount is retained remembered it’s still more than we had before and so our understanding and comprehension of this experience is better understood you are smarter your comprehension is increased and you see reality much better for me it’s like I have a magnifying glass for my mind and it’s as clear as a bell so for a time I have perfect clarity of mind I can see all things it seems what ever I set my mind is magnified in clarity this is the end result of using a plant correctly and under control and using the complete understanding of kundalini and so the breath and understanding of the body and mind yoga Of kundalini using the 🌱 system your body is the control for your mind buy compression of your muscles you can basically power your mind your body and mind become as one ☝️ your balance and your muscles work together kundalini is the art of power for your mind that is what it is describing your mind and body are one your left and your right your perception of is Enhanced you see a better you have a complete experience your body is under your control this is the experience but it’s the clarity of your mind the understanding of what you are looking at is magnified and you have a way of magnifying it more or les it’s up to you this is kundalini yoga after a life time and an understanding of the 🌱 the answer to the plant is simply respect if you respect her she will respect you but we should all do that any way
The answer to these questions vary as we progress down the bumpy road of mental illness. First there is fear as we try to understand what is happening. Self talk blaming us for what we can’t understand. Later maybe is the difficulty of meeting people (everyone is a stranger) and opening up about perceived personal shortfalls. Perhaps then some negative experiences with so called professional help, or the first time you’re involuntarily admitted. Trying to see time on a ward as helping your problems. Later, times come when you feel it’s too bad to be helped. Or you’re too jaded and tired to try again. Perhaps tired of the medication joy ride. Yep, the answer to these questions is dependent upon your circumstances today. But basically, what is needed is a way to understand and accept that we’re all different and have value.
MHACA had a great day at the NAIDOC Community Day on Friday! Lots of people dropped by the stall, received information about mental health, and participated in our short survey on barriers to seeking help for mental health challenges. MHACA participants enjoyed the event also. Well done to all organisations and community members who supported NAIDOC week activities in Alice Springs.
#alwayswasalwayswillbe
The “Feeling Sad Or Worried?” animation has been developed by MHACA and encourages community members to reach out if they are experiencing mental health difficulties. It provides contacts for organisations that can provide support. This animation is in the Warlpiri language.
There are often a number of barriers preventing people with mental health difficulties in seeking help. Many people don’t seek help until a crisis point is reached which impacts on the ability for the person to recover quickly and puts pressure on emergency services.
The key message is to reach out if your are feeling down, sad or worried as a number of supports are available.
The animation was produced by ITALK Studios.
This FREE workshop supports adults (18+) with a cognitive disability or people on the autism spectrum to have greater understanding of sexuality and relationships. More information and RSVP link at mhaca.org.au/event/lets-talk-about-sexuality/
