October 1, 2019 – For Immediate Release
The Mental Health Community Coalition of the ACT (MHCC ACT) coordinates Mental Health Month each October in the ACT. This year MHCC ACT are coordinating four major Mental Health Month events and a new program, all which seek to maximise the wellbeing of individuals and the wider community.
One in five Australians experience a mental health issue each year. Approximately half of all individuals will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime.
MHCC ACT Executive Officer Simon Viereck states “When we look at those numbers that includes about 80,000 people living in the ACT every year. Our goal throughout Mental Health Month is to help people find the support they need and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. People should feel free and able to reach out, ask for help and support those in the community who suffer in silence.”
This October MHCC ACT will be coordinating 3 major Mental Health Month events as well as hosting a Mental Health Month Panel Event on Peer Work.
This panel event will give the community insight into Peer Work in the ACT as we hear from leading professionals, peer workers and researchers in the sector. Panellists include Irene Gallagher, Jo McDougal, Dr Michelle Banfield, Ben Martin and Kath Laffey.
Other major events coordinated by MHCC ACT include:
Sold out Mental Health Month Comedy Launch event in Dickson on October 1, 2019
2019 Mental Health & Wellbeing Expo – October 1 (World Mental Health Day) from 11am – 2pm in City Walk, Civic.
2019 Mental Health Month Awards – October 29 at Manuka Oval
MHCC ACT also encourages businesses and organisations to support a new program introduced into the ACT for Mental Health Month this year, the ‘Wellbeing Priori-Tea’.
This year we are asking ACT workplaces to take a break and make mental health a priority by hosting their own ‘Wellbeing Priori-tea’! It could be a morning tea, afternoon tea or high tea! Workplaces can register their event online to receive the fantastic ‘Wellbeing Priori-Tea’ pack, containing a Mental Health Quiz as well as resources from leading mental health organisations such as RUOK?, Lifeline, OzHelp, BeyondBlue and many more!
For more information about any of the events or programs listed above or to find out more about the 40 other events happening in the ACT during October, please visit www.mentalhealthmonthact.org.
View this media release online here.
Media Contact: Simon Viereck, 0420 321 328, simon.viereck@mhccact.org.au
MHCC ACT is the peak body for community mental health services in the ACT.