Group Activities and Programs
Healthy Cooking
Participants learn a new recipe every week and can join in a shared lunch.
Hearing Voices
A safe and understanding group for voice hearers or people who experience intrusive thoughts.
Women’s Recovery Group
A therapeutic group for women focused on recovery through building confidence and skills.
Men’s Yarning Circle
Meet other men who also experience mental health issues and enjoy local outings.
Board Games
Spend time with others whilst playing games like bingo, Uno and scrabble.
Craft
Painting, drawing, sculpting, printing and many other crafts are experimented with weekly.
Keeping Active
Get your body moving in a supportive environment. Activities include dance, stretching and water activities in summer.
Community Garden
Gardening is great for the soul. Garden with others at the MHACA Community Garden plot.
Weekend Outings
Enjoy outings with others in the local community including ten pin bowling, BBQ’s and park visits.
Participants must book activities in advance. Participants with NDIS plans are welcome. To book an intake interview or an activity call 8950 4600 or email info@mhaca.org.au.
Monthly Activities Calendar
Each month the Pathways To Recovery Program produces a calendar of structured group activities which take place at the MHACA premises and other venues around town. Activities run daily from Tuesday to Friday weekly.
MHACA also has weekly Saturday social activities which include :
- Picnics/BBQ
- Araluen Art Centre
- Alice Springs Cinema
- Ten Pin Bowling
- Swimming
- Outings to places like Standley Chasm and Ross River
The calendar is developed in consultation with the participant group to ensure our programs meet the needs of those in the community.
Find the latest Group Activities Calendar here
Drop-in Centre
In addition to structured activities, a Drop-in Centre is open Monday 8.30am-1.30pm, and Tuesday – Friday from 8.30am to 3.00pm. The Drop-in Centre is a welcoming space where people can come and work on their recovery in a variety of ways. The program provides a comfy lounge area, kitchen facilities, and computers with internet access, an assortment of activities such as board games, library, DVD’s and music, art/craft and physical activities, as well as laundry and bathroom facilities.
Who can participate?
People must have a diagnosed mental illness to access MHACA services.
Participants who do not yet have a diagnosis will be referred to an appropriate clinical service for assessment.
Adults can self-refer to Pathways To Recovery by coming into MHACA, or can be referred by a GP or other service provider.
The Positive Influence of Music On Mental Health
“Music is a universal language for everyone, it helps relax people.” Brian Clyne
MHACA recently funded a music project to increase the wellbeing of our participants, acknowledging the positive and powerful influence that music has on peoples mental wellbeing. ‘Kututu’ in Pitjantjatjara means heart, and the foundation for the Kututu Wattleseeds is based in mediation and mindfulness from which music is then created.
MHACA would like to thank Lucia Swift of Sound Wellness for coordinating this project, Pin Rada for production and the MHACA participants for sharing their stories.