QMHW eNews Issue #6

Tomorrow marks the start of Queensland Mental Health Week— how will you value mental health?

QMHW kicks off tomorrow!

What are you doing to celebrate QMHW? No matter where you are there are events happening right across the state in a display of solidarity, ranging from expos, walks, art exhibitions, fairs, morning teas, workshops and much more. Or just be a part of QMHW by connecting with those around you and valuing your mental health and wellbeing.

If you haven’t registered your QMHW event yet, you still can here.

A selection of big Brisbane events

2018 Recovered Futures Art Exhibition Open to the public from Friday the 5th of October to Friday the 12th, this event will feature 256 unique pieces of art by 139 artists with a lived experience of mental illness and recovery. Held at King George Square, entry is free and the exhibition hours can be viewed on our website.

Walk for Awareness On Sunday the 7th of October at 8am, Australia's biggest charity walk dedicated to raising awareness about mental health and suicide prevention will begin. The scenic 8km River Loop walk can be undertaken by people of all ages and is wheelchair friendly. Children under 13 are free.  You can bring your furry friends. More details and registration available on their website.

Canefields Clubhouse Walk for Wellness With lots of prizes to win and a sausage sizzle, this 5km charity walk through the picturesque Berrinba Wetlands is a great way to show support for mental health issues and create conversations around mental wellness. It will be held on the last day of QMHW - Sunday the 14th of October. More information and registration can be found on their website.

Brisbane Mental Health Expo A free event at Reddacliff Place in the CBD. There will be live music, a virtual reality experience, pop-up library, pop-up safe space, food, arts, and over 30 interactive information stalls.The event aims to reduce stigma and raise awareness for mental health and wellbeing. It's open to anyone and everyone!

Run For MI Life This run in held in the name of Mathew Ivory who sadly took his own life in 2012. Since then his family have been committed to removing stigma around mental heath. Since the first run in 2014, the event has spread to three locations and this year the Brisbane run will be held at the Sleeman Sports Complex in Chandler on Sunday the 14th of October. 3km, 5km, and 10km options are available. More details and registration can found on their website.

A taste of some regional events

Unleash the beast An exciting new event happening in Toowoomba on the 10th of October. Unleash the Beast writing and wellbeing symposium boasts a huge program of events, guest speakers, and workshops. The event also features a free market to browse mental health services on the village green. For more information and bookings visit their website.

Happy by Nature A multifaceted event happening in Malanda in the Atherton Tableland region. The event will focus of wellbeing in relation to nature. It includes rainforest dreaming guided walks, a specialist photography session, natural environment photography competition, and morning tea at Malanda Falls.

Look After Your Mates Forum From 8:30am to 1:30pm on Wednesday October 10, the 2nd annual Look After Your Mates Forum will take place at the Longreach Civic and Cultural Centre. Featuring three fantastic speakers, the forum will focus on depression. Following the speakers, there will be panel of local service providers. RSVP is required so check out their page on our website.

One tree matters. Your tree matters. When we care for our planet we also care for our mental wellbeing. This tree planting event is a great way to show support for both mental health awareness and the environment. Starting at 9am on Saturday the 6th of October, it will be held just south of Tully in the Cassowary Coast region of tropical north Queensland. Come along and make a difference. BBQ and refreshments will be provided.

Murweh Mental Health Week A whole week of activities happening in Charleville for QMHW. From Monday the 8th of October to Saturday the 13th there will be activities promoting mental health and wellbeing happening everyday around Charleville. Check out the flyer on our website for a full program.

Rural Sky QMHW Art Exhibition The Rural Sky Art Exhibition will have its opening night at the Goondiwindi Regional Civic Centre at 5:45pm on Tuesday the 9th of October with a focus on mental health experiences. Opening night will require an RSVP so check out the event page for details. The exhibition itself will run through the whole of October.

How else can you contribute?

Aren't able to go to an event? Queensland Mental Health Week is still a time to reflect and shed light on the mental wellbeing of ourselves and those close to us.

Whether that means opening up to a friend, family member, or colleague; taking a step towards improving your mental wellbeing; or just being there for others. Every little action counts as we strive for better mental health and wellbeing.

Join the QMHW community by connecting on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram with #QMHW and #valuementalhealth and visit our website for information and events near you.

Purple for positivity

Brisbane lights up

Brisbane's bridges will ‘light up’ on World Mental Health Day (10 October). Both the Story Bridge and the Victoria Bridge will be lit purple in a dazzling display of support for mental health and wellbeing.

We encourage you to take a photo with the Story Bridge or Victoria Bridge in the background and share your photos with our QMHW community on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with #QMHW and #valuementalhealth.

Townsville lights up

Townsville will be joining in the celebration of mental health awareness with their own purple light up. The George Roberts Bridge and the iconic Townsville sign will both shine a magnificent purple on October 10 for World Mental Health Day in a show of solidarity for mental health issues and awareness.

Once again we encourage photos with the Townsville sign or George Roberts Bridge in purple! Share them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram with #QMHW and #valuementalhealth.

Mackay's Thistle fountain goes purple

In addition to Brisbane and Townsville, Mackay will take part in going purple for positivity. The iconic thistle fountain will rain purple to raise awareness of the value of positive mental health and wellbeing from Friday the 5th of October to Friday the 12th. Take a photo with the beautiful fountain while it's purple and join the conversation by sharing photos and stories with #QMHW and #valuementalhealth.

Event Spotlight: Odd Socks Day

Stigma associated with mental illness is one of the biggest barriers to people seeking help and recovery. Odd Socks Day is a light-hearted approach to remind people that anyone can have an odd day.

We hope that today you remembered to wear your odd socks loud and proud (we are!). Odd Socks Day is a nationwide event aiming to stomp out stigma. In addition to participating in the event, you can sign the pledge to stomp out stigma here. Find out more on the Odd Socks Day website to get involved and help end the stigma around mental illness.

QMHW Achievement Awards Finalists Announced

30 finalists have been shortlisted for the 2018 Queensland Mental Health Week Achievement Awards, but only 10 will be crowned winners at the ceremony on Friday 12th October 2018.

The Achievement Awards recognise and celebrate individuals, groups and organisations working tirelessly to reduce stigma and support and empower those living with mental illness. Now in its sixth year, the Awards ceremony takes place during Queensland Mental Health Week, and it is considered a major event on the Queensland Mental Health Week annual calendar. This year, a record number of nominations were received and judged by a panel of judges.

The 10 Award categories recognise individuals, workplaces, not-for-profits, as well as people with lived experiences of mental illnesses who now use their experiences to help others.

This year, two new award categories were added: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Award and LGBTI Award. These new categories recognise those who empower and work to improve the lives of people who identify with those communities and live with mental illness.

The Awards Breakfast and Presentation Ceremony will take place on Friday, 12 October from 7:30am – 10:00am at Brisbane City Hall.

Read all about the awards and the list of finalists here.

Tickets are limited and nearly sold out - they can be bought here.

New poster released

We are pleased to announce that a new poster has been released to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities spread the ‘value mental health’ message.

The posters use artwork created by Aboriginal Australian Visual Artist, Ailsa Walsh and convey a vibrant positive message of connection, values and culture.

The painting is entitled Communicate Through Our Strengths. It will be on display in Brisbane during QMHW at the Recovered Futures Art Exhibition in King George Square from 5-12 October.

The poster that features this artwork can be downloaded from our website and displayed at events or in places of work, classrooms, community halls or clubs.