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News (11)
Mental Health First Aid Training
Written by Ric RaftisMental Health First Aid is an invaluable skill to have amongst members of our community. The Loddon Healthy Minds Network have arranged for a course to be held in Mental Health First Aid on the 16th and 23rd of May from 9am to 5pm.
This intensive course will provide great skills in the mental health area. It doesn't matter if you are working in the health sector or not. If you are involved with people, then the skills you will learn in this course will be invaluable. Normally these courses can be a little cost prohibitive for community members. The Loddon Healthy Minds Committee has arranged for this course to be free so it is a great opportunity to attend. It is not often that Wedderburn plays host to such courses either. Normally you may well have to travel to Bendigo so it's another great reason to support this course in your community.
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Shire backs suicide walk
This Sunday’s Suicide Prevention Awareness Network (SPAN) public walk in Bendigo is a significant opportunity to raise awareness about this critical issue.
Primarily designed to allow people from across central Victoria touched by suicide to remember loved ones, friends, work or schoolmates, the day will also include guest speakers, a free sausage sizzle and entertainment by Mez Whittle and the Castlemaine Pipe Band.
Using the theme “Tough Times Pass”, the walk will start with registration at the Dai Gum San Chinese precinct in Bridge St at 9.30am.
Contacting Mental Health Triage
Written by Ric Raftis
A mental health Triage service is a 24/7 emergency contact point for people experiencing a mental health crisis. The name Triage is somewhat misleading as it is not a word used in everyday language. According to Wikipedia, the definition of Triage is as follows:-
Triage is the process of determining the priority of patients' treatments based on the severity of their condition.
Depression - The Black Dog
Written by Ric RaftisDepression is often referred to as "The Black Dog". According to Wikipedia, the term "The Black Dog" was first used by the English writer Samuel Johnson. It was then popularised by Sir Winston Churchill who also used the term to describe his own depression. As a result the term "The Black Dog" is in common use today to describe depression.
But what exactly is depression? It can be so different for so many people and sometimes words are not enough to describe the feelings, or lack therof, that are involved. A video might be easier to understand.
Mental Health Fridge Magnet
Written by Ric RaftisThe Loddon Healthy Minds Network is starting a mail-out to every household in the Shire this week to make people aware of its aims and contact details.
The envelope contains a slip of paper and a fridge magnet with a short explanation of its purposes and key phone numbers. The magnet provides the phone numbers for the 24 hour, 7 day a week emergency mental health service in Bendigo and also the number for Lifeline. The Healthy Minds Committee website is also featured where residents of the Loddon Shire can gain further information and contact points regarding mental health.
The fridge magnet provides an immediately accessible means for key information and we trust it will be of assistance to residents seeking information about mental health issues.
How do you paint a picture of something you can’t see?
That was the challenge offered to secondary schools in Loddon Shire recently when the Loddon Healthy Minds Network announced it was staging its first-ever art competition.
The aim of the exercise was to put on a show of artworks reflecting the message of mental health and wellbeing.
Funding for the project was provided through the Floods Community Recovery Fund, jointly sponsored by the Australian and Victorian governments.
Three schools in Loddon Shire will host a Sunshine Breakfast next month to mark this year’s Mental Health Week in Victoria.
The breakfasts are an initiative of the Loddon Healthy Minds Network, aimed at focusing the thoughts of young people on issues of mental wellness and the resources that are available if needed.
Mental Health Week runs from 7-13 October, with World Mental Health Day celebrated every year on the same date, 10 October.
Groups around the state seek to get the message across through such interactive events as community festivals, art exhibitions, social events, music, theatre and seminars.
From its beginnings in 1985, the week has grown to encompass hundreds of events and a multitude of individuals, community groups and service providers throughout the state.
East Loddon P-12 College will hold its Sunshine Breakfasts on Tuesday and Thursday, 9 and 11 October, while Wedderburn College has opted for the Thursday.
The Loddon Shire Healthy Minds Committee had great pleasure in launching its Strategic Plan and website in Bridgewater on 10th May 2012. The launch was attended by the Mayor of Loddon Shire, Cr Geoff Curnow who presided over proceedings at the launch and Cr Allen Brownbill who is the chair of the Loddon Healthy Minds Committee.
The launch was officially made by Damian Drum, MLC for Northern Victoria Region and Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development. Damian Drum spoke at length on the importance of mental health being regarded in the community in the same light as physical health. This is one of the most important ideals of the committee in getting mental health destigmatised.
Loddon Healthy Minds Network has been very busy over the past few months developing a Strategic Plan that will guide its activities for the next five years. The plan has been adopted by the committee and also approved by the Loddon Shire Council. This is a necessary step as the committee is auspiced by the Loddon Shire.
Part of the Strategic Plan was to develop a website to provide residents with contact information regarding mental health issues. The web site is also intended to bring basic information and links to shire residents along with news about mental health issues that may appear in the mainstream media and other sources.
Talking About Depression
Written by Ric RaftisMental illness is a subject often regarded as taboo in our society. It has been well established as an illness and yet many people have difficulty in talking about it in the same way they talk about broken legs, cancer or heart disease. With depression being one of the most common mental illnesses, it is important that people can talk about their illness, particularly with family and friends so that others can understand what someone with depression may be going through.
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Need Help Now?
If you need help now, talk to a friend, a family member or call your Doctor immediately. Alternately, you can contact the numbers below:
If life or property is threatened, call 000 immediately
Bendigo Mental Health Team - 1300 363 788. This is a 24/7 service.
Lifeline - 13 11 14
You can also check more specific contacts on our Mental Health Contact Pages