QMHW eNews Issue #5

Counting down the days— With only ten days until Queensland Mental Health Week begins it's time to finalise preparations. Get the latest on QMHW here as we approach the start date.

Get your events in now!

With QMHW fast approaching, now is the time to make sure you've registered your event. It only takes a minute to tell us what you're doing and we will help spread the word! We know some events are best kept small or private. You can still have the benefits of registering your event, without making your location public. Visit our website for more information.

Schools on board

With so many of us facing mental health challenges in our lifetimes, it is so important to set up our young people with the skills and knowledge they need— both for their time at school and for their future.

Queensland schools do a great job promoting positive mental health and wellbeing for students and staff. They are also great supporters of Queensland Mental Health Week with the number of registered school events almost double that of last year and growing. Thanks to all the wonderful teachers, parents, and students who have made this possible. Here’s just a taste of what schools across the state have to offer.

Maroochydore State High School Wellbeing Challenge  - Encouraging youth to learn about mental health and show support for those affected by mental illness.

Ryan Catholic College Townsville -  A week of school based workshops encouraging students to find their passion to promote positive self esteem.

Cairns State High School - Finding Nevo: A Journey of Diversity in collaboration with local youth support agencies.

Sandgate State School - A week of activities including a free public forum with guest speakers.

Cooktown State School - Health Angels week where health professionals from the local area visit the school and give pamper packs that promote mental and body health.

Charters Towers State High School  - The school will host an exciting and interactive evening of fun and activities showcasing mental health and strategies for coping.

Townsville Grammar School - All students will be exploring and celebrating their character strengths to develop a greater appreciation of the ‘Ways to Wellbeing’.

Ipswich State High - Numerous activities over the course of the week, such as sponge throw, odd socks day, a raffle, free fruit stall, and much more.

Event Spotlight: Walk for Awareness

One of our major events this year, come and join the Walk for Awareness.

Come and join other passionate people in the 8th annual Walk for Awareness dedicated to raising awareness about mental health and suicide prevention.

Held in Brisbane on Sunday morning on the 7th of October, the 8km walk is an inclusive and accessible walk through some beautiful scenery around the Brisbane river. The walk is open to people of all ages, and children under 13 are free. The walk is wheelchair friendly and you can even bring your furry friends.

The amazingly uplifting morning includes community-based mental health service provider information; great entertainment including live music and a jumping castle and face painting for the kids, and a yummy selection of breakfast meals and coffee.

Register as an individual or create a team by inviting family, friends and/or work colleagues to join you. Registration is $30.

What's happening in regional Queensland

There are fantastic events happening all across the state during QMHW. Here are some you may like to check out if you live in regional Queensland.

Value Wellness Cairns - Mindful self-compassion workshop in the Cairns area for informal and formal carers/helpers, including staff members in the helping industry.

Behind the Song Mackay - This is a concert like no other, all the songs are originals written by choir members who are journeying through mental illness. Music is their hope, their joy, their way to connect to their families, each other, and their community.

Mary Valley Health Week – teaching Veterans how to live a healthy life nutritionally, physically, and mentally.

Community Wellness Morning Ayr - a free community event which aims to support and promote mental health services in the local community.

Good Vibrations Emerald  - A fun, family friendly, educational day focused on the promotion of mental health in the Central Highlands Region.

Sweet ideas to bring a little calm into your life Mount Isa - Free Community event including a talk by Matthew Johnstone and light refreshments.

CQ Health Riverside BBQ Rockhampton - Celebrate World Mental Health Day during Queensland Mental Health Week.

Art and lunch for mental health Gladstone – Fun event  with art, family, and information about mental health.

For the full list of events in your area visit our website.

Our current public event map

Let's value mental health together

Good mental health is important for all of us. Particularly as approximately one in every five Queenslanders will experience a mental illness in any one year.

This Queensland Mental Health Week let’s focus on the things we can do to support ourselves, our loved ones and our communities.

• Check out our six steps to value mental health flyer or visit wheelofwellbeing.org for  simple actions you can take to improve mental health and wellbeing.
• Learn more about mental illness and recovery at beyondblue.org.au or headtohealth.gov.au
• Hear people’s stories of recovery by visiting sane.org or voicesforchange.org.au
• Share your own stories, photos, videos, and articles during Queensland Mental Health Week and help spread the word.

Join our QMHW community on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.