Read the latest updates, event ideas and resources for NT Mental Health Week in 2022
Less than 3 Weeks to go!
With only 3 weeks until NT Mental Health Week kicks off, we are excited to share some updates on what’s happening and ideas to help you get involved.
There are some FANTASTIC events already registered across the state. Check them out on our events calendar here.
If you’re planning an event of your own, we encourage you to register it on our MHW Calendar to help get the word out. If it’s a public event, we can help promote it through our social media and other platforms.
If you’d like to apply for a mini-grant (up to $1000 per grant) to help run your event for MHW, it’s not too late! We have extended the deadline to this Friday, October 23 COB. The application process is simple, and you can fill out an online form here.
We hope this e-newsletter will inspire you with some ideas on ways to be involved with Mental Health Week, and we would love it if you could help us spread the word by forwarding this e-newsletter to your contacts or encourage them to subscribe here.
Mental Health Week is a time to think about how mental illness impacts on the people in our lives and communities, and how we can work together to increase awareness about the importance of maintaining our mental health and ensuring people know what help-seeking options are available.
It’s an opportunity to engage communities in activities that promote mental health and wellbeing and challenge stigma associated with mental ill health. The theme of Awareness, Belonging and Connection highlights the importance of connecting with others as part of looking after each other's and our own mental wellbeing. Reaching out to friends, family or workmates is something we can all do.
Included in this e-newsletter are some ideas and resources on how to plan or get involved in MHW activities, how to prepare to have discussions about mental health and the supports that are available and ways to practice self-care and maintain good mental health.
Get Involved Nominate someone for an NT Mental Health Award
Mental Health Week is a time to recognise people who have made significant contributions to the Mental Health sector. Has someone stood out for their exceptional mental health support or work in the community? Consider nominating them for an NT Mental Health Award. Winners will be recognised by receiving an award in selected categories at our Awards Ceremony on Monday, 10 October, where Hon Lauren Moss, Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, will present, along with other keynote speakers, on issues related to mental health.
Anyone can nominate an individual or an organisation. Self-nominations are also welcomed. All award nominators are required to complete the nomination form, indicate the award category, and address the evaluation criteria.
This year’s award categories are:
Leadership in Lived Experience Award
Young Person Award
Carers in Mental Health Award
Mental Health Sector Award
Aboriginal Social & Emotional Wellbeing Award
Innovation for Positive Change Award
The deadline to nominate someone for an NT Mental Health Award is quickly approaching - with nominations closing this Friday, 23 Sept at COB.
Get the conversation going and show that mental health is important to you by highlighting the colour orange. We’ve chosen Orange as the official colour for mental health week because of it’s warm, energizing and uplifting influence –consider having a ‘Wear Orange’ day at work, hosting a morning tea with orange themed food, or lighting up your home or office with orange light globes. Keep an eye out across the NT for orange-coloured lights, fountains and other features, as businesses and the community show their support.
Host an Event
NTMHW events can be educational, fun, creative, innovative and/or interesting. Hosting an event or activity during MHW is a great way to encourage awareness of mental health and wellbeing in your community, school or workplace. It can decrease stigma, and empower people to seek help, for themselves or others.
If you are an organisation or an individual with an ABN, you may be eligible for a mini-grant to help run your event. You can also pair up with another organisation to collaborate in running an event. We encourage you to participate in a way that is meaningful and achievable for you and your community.
Events can be focused on reaching the general public or a specific audience (such as those living with mental illness, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, or LGBTQIA+ communities). Other events can be focused around their setting, such as a workplace, educational environment or a youth centre.
Examples of past events:
In past years, organisations have held a wide range of events, such as:
Traditional healing
Art therapy
Exercise programs
Traditional cooking activities
Music
Outdoor cinema
Wellbeing workshops
Screen printing messages of hope and healing
Sharing stories of mental illness and recovery pathways
Family events and
Playgroups
We encourage you to be collaborative, creative and celebrate awareness, belonging and connection with your local community.
For more tips on planning your event, download our participation guide from the NT Mental Health Week website here.
Support an Event
If you are looking to make a difference but don’t want to run an event, you could find an event near you and offer to help as a volunteer. You can also show your support and connect with others in your community by making time to attend an event. There are plenty of in-person and online events being held and many opportunities for people to get involved. To see what’s happening during MHW, or to register your event, go to MHW website and select 'calendar' or 'add your event'.
Participate in Activities that Boost Your Mental Wellbeing
Taking some time to look after our mental wellbeing improves our mood and helps us deal with life’s challenges. We become better equipped to achieve our goals, participate in the community and work productively. Some areas to focus on when maintaining mental wellbeing can include:
Having a wellness plan
Exercising regularly
Spending time in nature
Practicing mindfulness
Prioritizing adequate sleep
Making time for positive social relationships
Introducing wellness strategies into your workplace
As part of capacity building for the sector and to encourage help-seeking behaviour, Mindframe developed national guidelines for the discussion, reporting and publication of content, which references mental health or mental ill-health. To help ensure that organisations and individuals discussing mental ill-health use terminology and messaging that is positive and inclusive consider reviewing and sharing their guidlelines and free resources which can be viewed at www.mindframe.org.au.
Be prepared
Promoting awareness about mental health and wellbeing can raise conversations that could be confronting or sensitive. If you are running an event or activity, consider talking with your team about how to approach these, and what you are comfortable discussing.
Whether talking to community members, family or friends, it can be useful to have information on hand that you can pass on to people who have questions you don’t have answers to or who are seeking advice or help. Download our Mental Health Week Participation Kit for a list of helpful numbers to have on hand or visit www.mentalhealthnt.com.au. Share Your Stories!
Let us know what events and activities you are planning, register them on our MHW Calendar, and share them with us at admin@ntmhc.org.au so we can include them in our promotions and newsletter. Make sure to tag the NT Mental Health Coalition’s Facebook page (@NTMHC) if you are comfortable having your event and any photos shared.
Download MHW Week Resources To help you plan and promote a great Mental Health Week event, a range of resources are available, including logos, posters, social media tiles, Facebook banners, and an Event Participation and Planning Guide. Help get the word out and promote Mental Health Week by dowloading our MHW Resources here.
Acknowledgement of Country
The Northern Territory Mental Health Coalition acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country throughout the Northern Territory and Australia, and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures and to their elders both past and present.
Acknowledgement of Live Experience
We acknowledge those with a lived experience of mental ill-health. We recognise that we can only provide quality care through valuing, respecting and drawing upon the lived experience and expert knowledge of consumers, their families, carers, friends and communities.
For more information on the NT Lived Experience community, visit their webpage here.
