As advocates in the mental health and suicide prevention area, the group of people identified as LGBTI represent an area of particular concern for the Loddon Healthy Minds Network. This is because the statistics tell us that LGBTI people are the most at risk group in our community when it comes to mental health and suicide.  These figures are documented in the report by the National LGBTI Alliance.  You can download a copy of the report below.

When people talk about reducing suicide and reducing mental health issues in our communities, you would think the best place to start would be the highest risk groups. Unfortunately there is little evidence to suggest that this is being done.

We have a new logo for our Community Representatives!

Loddon Healthy Minds Network has representatives from many various organisations. There are quite a number of professionals who contribute their expertise and knowledge to the running of the organisation.

The Network recently felt it was appropriate to list these partners and acknowledge their involvement. Being professional organisations, they all had a nice logo to add to the front page.

That was all but one group of people though; our Community Representatives.

Community Representatives are integral to the working of the Healthy Minds Network. They are the ears and voices of mental health and advocacy to the Network. These people give up their time freely to contribute to the betterment of mental health and wellbeing within our Shire.

A logo has been approved by the Committee for use by the Community Representatives. In the form of a tree, it is representative of having it's roots in the Loddon Shire. The trunk of the tree represents the Committee and the leaves are representative of the community representatives feeding back into the committee and the Shire.

No logo would be complete without the Healthy Minds logo itself sitting at the heart of the image.

Too many deaths by suicide each year in Australia are from the farming community. Every suicide or attempted suicide has a ripple effect as it impacts friends, family, colleagues and entire communities.

Because of the stigma associated with suicide, many of the experiences of those affected by suicide remain untold.

The Ripple Effect has been developed by the National Centre for Farmer Health, Deakin University, the Victorian Farmers Federation, AgChatOZ, the Mental Illness Fellowship North Queensland, Sandpit and Western District Health Service as part of beyondblue's STRIDE Project with donations from the Movember Foundation.

Council is currently seeking expressions of interest from residents of Loddon Shire Council to represent the community on the Loddon Healthy Minds Network committee. The Committee currently has vacancies for two community representatives.

The Loddon Healthy Minds Network promotes and advocates for improved wellbeing and access to appropriate services for people in Loddon Shire affected by mental health issues. Meeting are held bi-monthly on the third Wednesday of the month and take place on a rotating roster throughout various locations of the Loddon Shire. Compensation for travel to meetings is provided.

If you have an interest in improving mental health and wellbeing in the wider Loddon Shire community we would be interested in hearing from you. Further queries may be directed to Wendy Gladman, Director Community Wellbeing on 5494 1226.

Loddon Healthy Minds Network in collaboration with Bendigo Community Health Services is producing a short video resource intended to provide greater understanding and insight into the role of carers who support people with mental illness in the community.

The video resource will be used predominantly online as well as relevant forums and information sessions in encouraging conversations and reflection on the role of a carer including the importance of self-care for people undertaking this role.

As part of the video production we are looking to interview several carers to gain their perspective on the following questions:

The Youth Mental Health First Aid Course is for adults working or living with adolescents (those aged between 12 and 18 years), however, the course can be relevant for those helping people who are a little younger or older. This course is particularly suitable for parents, teachers, sports coaches, and youth workers.

What the course covers:
The course teaches adults how to assist adolescents who are developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis. Course participants learn about adolescent development, the signs and symptoms of the common and disabling mental health problems in young people, where and how to get help when a young person is developing a mental illness, what sort of help has been shown by research to be effective, and how to provide first aid in a crisis situation.

What is stigma?

Stigma happens when a group in society are not regarded with the same respect as others. There are numerous definitions but, put simply, stigma is primarily a problem of behaviours resulting in the unfair and inequitable treatment of people. Stigma involves a variety of myths, prejudices, and negative stereotyping of people with mental health issues.

Nearly half (45%) of Australians will experience a mental illness at some stage of their life. Despite this, people living with mental illness will often experience stigma and discrimination from friends, family, employers and the community as a whole. (Copied from the Murray Partners In Recovery Site)

Stigma is so common in our communities surrounding mental illness. Generally though this is because of a lack of understanding of what mental illness is all about.

One of the first things we should remember is that the person is not the illness. John is not schizophrenic, John has schizophrenia.  Mary is not bipolar, Mary has bipolar.  Mental illness is no different to physical illness.  It can be just as debilitating and cause just as much pain and problems in a person's life.

Watch this video about Jack.

The Loddon Healthy Minds Committee are delighted to announce the winners of the 2016 Art Show. There were 32 entries from the four secondary schools in the Shire. It has been a great way of spreading the message about mental health throughout the Shire. The winners for 2016 are:

• Best In Show – Rochelle Vella
• Runners Up Best In Show – Scott Woodward
• Boort District School First Prize – Zoe Bremner
• Boort District School Second Prize – Fi Rae
• East Loddon P-12 First Prize – Sarah James
• East Loddon P-12 Second Prize – Chelsea Hicks
• Pyramid Hill First Prize – Mary Estrella
• Pyramid Hill Second Prize – Samantha Treacy
• Wedderburn College First Prize – Matt McMahon
• Wedderburn College Second Prize – Ella Turnbull

Click on Read More to see the entries.

The 2016 Loddon Healthy Minds Art Competition is on again and this year it is bigger and better.

For the first time there will be a written section for those who are challenged with the enormity of drawing a stick man. Yes, you can write a story around the topic for the year.  After all, writing is an art form!

The theme this year is "Mental Health - Look Out For Your Mates!"

As usual there will be two sections, an Open section for those over 18 and a Junior section for those between the ages of 14 to 18.

Eligibility:

• The open section of this competition is open to all Loddon Shire residents aged over 18 years
• The junior section is open to all Loddon Shire residents between the ages of 14 to 18 years of age
• All work is to be completed within the last 12 months and solely by the artist
• Size of artwork is to be 1 metre square maximum and A4 minimum (needs to be transportable)
• Any medium can be used (painting, drawing, photography, sculpture etc.)