A range of events and activities are currently on offer across the region as part of Queensland Mental Health week, which runs from 8 to 16 October.
The week is an annual initiative in which the community are encouraged to get involved and participate in a range of activities and engage in conversations about mental health and wellbeing.
There are plenty of opportunities for people to participate across the region, with activities including:
- Now: Light up Bundaberg
The Bundaberg Multiplex fig trees will be lit purple and green for Queensland Mental Health Week thanks to support from Bundaberg Regional Council. - Wednesday 12 October: You are not alone picnic
10 am
Alexandra Park
The team at Phoenix House will create awareness and understanding of mental health in the community through fun and interactive activities. The picnic aims to motivate, inspire, and encourage the community to think more about their mental health in a positive, meaningful way.
- Saturday 15 October: Parkrun Bundaberg, hosted by Wide Bay Mental Health. 5km walk/run at your own pace.
6.45 am for a 7 am start
Queens Park, off Hope St, Bundaberg.
- Saturday 15 October: Bundaberg come and try dragon boating.
Bring a hat, water and sunscreen. Paddle and coaching provided.
Anyone over 12 years can take part.
2 pm
Wolca Street, Bundaberg North - Saturday 15 October: Manga drawing workshop
10 am, Childers Arts Space and Backpackers Memorial, Churchill Street, Childers
To mark Queensland Mental Health Week, Bundaberg Regional Galleries is hosting a Manga Drawing event as part of Lemon Flip, a Collective Youth Arts Workshop series.
Learn new skills from artist Bec McPherson from Bexylum Art during a specialised two-hour workshop. Bookings essential. BYO facemasks required.
WBHHS Executive Director of Mental Health and Specialised Services Robyn Bradley outlined the wonderful opportunities that Mental Health Week offered.
“Mental Health Week provides a platform for us to promote our ongoing WBHHS Shatter the Stigma campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the negative impact that stigma relating to mental illness has on individuals, their families and their recovery,” Ms Bradley said.
“Although awareness around mental health has improved, studies show that stigma against mental health is still powerful, largely due to common misconceptions.”
This is reflected in the theme for 2022, Awareness, Belonging, Connection, which highlights the important and often complex factors that can impact mental health and wellbeing.
“Mental health is multi-faceted – it takes into account how we feel, think and behave and ties deeply to our overall wellbeing,” Ms Bradley said
“It’s so much more than the absence of mental illness; it’s about our ability to enjoy life, to weather storms, form connections and function successfully in our day-to-day lives.
“It is becoming increasingly recognised as a vital contributor to our overall health, and events like Mental Health Week are the perfect platform for checking in and asking ourselves, ‘How am I feeling? Where might I need help? What can I do to improve my wellbeing?’”
You can find out more about Queensland Mental Health Week here.
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