Act-Belong-Commit announced as theme for Mental Health Week
We are excited to announce that the peak body for mental health, the Western Australian Association for Mental Health (WAAMH) will use the Act-Belong-Commit message as the official theme for Mental Health Week in WA this year.
WAAMH Chief Executive Officer Rod Astbury said the theme was one of the most important elements of Mental Health Week.
"We chose the Act-Belong-Commit message because it aligns very well with the aims of Mental Health Week to improve community wellbeing. It also complements WAAMH's attitude to mental health promotion, by encouraging positive and preventative approaches” Mr Astbury said.
"Act-Belong-Commit is relevant to a diverse range of people, workplaces, schools, families, ages and cultures in our community, as people can draw their own meaning and discover what works for them.
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April Local Champion - Trent Caldwell
This month’s local champion is Trent Caldwell from Broome. Trent is a local mental health advocate, volunteer and artist with a long-list of contributions to local youth within the Broome community.
After facing a near-fatal accident at the age of 19, Trent found himself suffering with a mental illness and sought help from his local headspace centre.
“I realised how important this service was to helping young people build their mental health, I decided to join Broome headspace’s Youth Advisory Committee.”
One piece of advice that Trent would give to people looking to get involved in community activities:
“GET INVOLVED! Involvement is so under-rated, so even if it’s for one time only… TRY IT OUT! It has been one of the best things I have ever done and I’m sure it can be the same for most people!”
Through his involvement in the community, Trent was selected as WA’s representative for National Youth Week, which was held this month.
“We are the next generation of leaders in Australia and we are performing amazing things in society that are often overlooked” says Trent, “The purpose of National Youth Week is to highlight those things and celebrate youth in Australia.”
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Test Yourself
I’m tall when I’m young and I’m short when I’m old. What am I?
Answer at the end of the newsletter
Seeking participants for new ‘Connectors’ program
Mentally Healthy WA is establishing a new Connectors program specifically for young people in Western Australia. We are seeking up to ten young people aged 16-25 to form a reference group to consult, give advice and drive the direction of the program.
'Act-Belong-Commit Connectors' will train young people in the A-B-C principles for good mental health so they can assist their peers to get involved in mentally healthy activities. Connectors will be a local source of information on community activities and events and will support and mentor their peers to act, belong and commit.
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Act-Belong-Commit Karratha & Onslow Community Forums
Living in the Pilbara can pose unique challenges. For some, being away from loved ones, long work hours and a high cost of living can be tough. However there are some great strengths in the region. These forums are about identifying these strengths in each community and building on them together.
These forums are open to the public to attend and all community members are encouraged to come and have a say in how Mentally Healthy WA can create a more mentally healthy Pilbara.
Karratha Community Forum
Date: Wednesday 6th May
Time: 4.00 – 6.00pm
Venue: Karratha Leisureplex
RSVP by: Wednesday 29th April
Onslow Community Forum
Date: Tuesday 26th May 6.00 - 8.00pm
OR Wednesday 27th May 10.00am – 12.00pm
Venue: Onslow Sports Club
RSVP by: Friday 15th May
RSVP to Act-Belong-Commit Pilbara Health Promotion Coordinator Gemma Brooks: (08) 9143 2240 or gemma.brooks@curtin.edu.au
Chevron Australia has partnered with Mentally Healthy WA to improve mental health in Western Australia, with a focus on Karratha and Onslow, Aboriginal communities in Roebourne, and schools throughout the state.
New Partners
Did you know Mentally Healthy WA partners with community groups and organisations? The Mentally Healthy WA team is pleased to announce the following new community partnerships:
If you are interested in signing up your organisation to the Act-Belong-Commit campaign please phone Sarah on (08) 9266 4648 or email info@actbelongcommit.org.au
Mentally healthy tip: Spend your money on experiences, not things
We spend a lot of time striving for material possessions that we believe will make us truly happy, but we’re actually better off spending money on experiences that will enrich our lives; things like the satisfaction of a job well done, taking the risk with a new recipe to cook for friends, planning a trip away or visiting an art exhibition.
This article explores the psychology surrounding true happiness, possessions and experiences.
Answer: Test Yourself
A candle.
