Act-Belong-Commit Newsletter
for Karratha and Onslow

The Act-Belong-Commit Karratha Community Forum was held on Wednesday 6 May at the Karratha Leisureplex. We had 28 participants attend from a wide range of local groups, clubs and organisations including Saving Animals From Euthanasia (SAFE), Karratha Arts & Learning Centre and Local Information Network Karratha (LINK) just to name a few. Lots of great ideas were shared and new partnerships formed around the room. The forum also generated some positive discussion about groups working more collaboratively, as well as suggestions for better promotion of existing events and ideas for new activities in town. For a written report of the Karratha Community Forum (once completed) please contact Gemma on gemma.brooks@curtin.edu.au

We held two Onslow Act-Belong-Commit Community Forums in the last week of May –  over Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 May. Sixteen community members attended across the two forums. It was great to see all the mentally healthy events and activities already happening in Onslow, and some good discussion around barriers to participation and strategies to increase participation. For a written report of the Onslow Community Forums (once completed) please contact Gemma on gemma.brooks@curtin.edu.au

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 state-wide theme for Mental Health Week in WA from Friday 2 to Saturday 10 October.

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."

We will be in touch shortly with our Karratha and Onslow Community Partners to discuss local events and activities to run in the community during Mental Health Week 2015. WAAMH are offering grants up to $1,000 for groups to hold Mental Health Week events. If you have any ideas or would like to discuss how you can be involved, please email gemma.brooks@curtin.edu.au

The staff from Karratha Pilbara Population Health came together on Mother’s Day to complete the Karratha Mother’s Day Classic – all wearing pink Act-Belong-Commit t-shirts! Team members participated for a variety of reasons – whether it was to donate or show their support to the cause, get some exercise, challenge themselves, engage in a community event or simply to enjoy a social morning out with their adopted Pilbara family. We think the shirts looked great – there are more photos available to view on the Karratha Act-Belong-Commit Facebook page.  

For those who missed the Mother’s Day Classic this year, or for those who want to set themselves a new challenge - don’t forget the Chevron City 2 Surf for Activ will once again be coming to Karratha on Sunday 26 July. Live in Onslow? No worries! Onslow V Swans are entering a team through their Motivate program. Contact Sarah Wright swright@swandistrictsfc.com for more information on how to get involved. 

This Friday 5 June is World Environment Day and to celebrate we are hosting a state-wide competition for all Western Australians to artistically show how the natural environment creates a positive mental health space for them!
 
The Pilbara is a great place to live and appreciate the natural environment - so show us your creative side! You can paint, draw, photograph or write a poem. The winner will receive a picnic backpack set and iTunes gift card ($100 value). All entries must be received by Friday 3 July 2015 (5pm).

For more information, including guidelines and entry forms, follow this link: http://www.actbelongcommit.org.au/news/world-environment-day-competition.html
 

Schools from all over Western Australia have been partnering with Mentally Healthy WA to promote the Act-Belong-Commit message – including the Pilbara’s own Wickham Primary School and Karratha Primary School.

School staff are encouraging students, colleagues, parents and the wider school community to take steps to become more mentally healthy! Partner schools receive free merchandise and other promotional materials, classroom resources and school staff training to increase resilience, school community cohesion, better attendance rates and improved academic results. If you would like more information, click here or contact the Schools Health Promotion Coordinator Phoebe Joyce on (08) 9266 1873 or phoebe.joyce@curtin.edu.au
 

Just a quick FYI to say I will be on annual leave from Thursday 4 June, returning to work on Monday 15 June. If you have any enquiries related to something in this newsletter, please contact me via email and I will respond upon my return. If it is an urgent query, please contact Simone Kerrigan, Partnerships Manager simone.kerrigan@curtin.edu.au or (08) 9266 3788.