Mental Health Week 2016

World Mental Health Day is marked every year on the same date: 10th of October.

The aim of Mental Health Week is to promote social and emotional well-being to the community, encouraging people to maximise their health potential, enhancing the coping capacity of communities, families, individuals and increasing mental health recovery.

Mental Health Week 2016 will run from Sunday 9th to Saturday 15th October.

Victoria Mental Health
This years launch was held on Tue 11th October at the Deakin Edge Theatre at Federation Square.

It has now been an annual event since 1984 and has more than 20 community sponsors that have signed up to collaborate to bring this event to life. The Mental Health Foundation of Australia (VIC) will be joined by MC George Donikian (Former news presenter for the Nine Network and Network Ten), along with Key Note Speaker, Jason Ball (LGBTIQ and Mental Health advocate & 2016 Greens Candidate for Higgins).

Mental Health Week aims to activate, educate and engage Victorians about mental health, through a week of interactive events across the state, including an official launch, community festivals, art exhibitions, music and seminars.

Much of the effort of running Mental Health Week comes from dedicated volunteers committed to promoting mental wellbeing, furthering knowledge about mental health and eliminating the stigma surrounding mental illness.

As co-ordinator of Mental Health Week in Victoria, the Mental Health Foundation of Australia (VIC) is delighted to have the active involvement and participation of state and federal governments, as well as non-government organisations and community-based health and social impact agencies. We are pleased to be sharing the Week with the Victorian Government, along with many other mental health, health, education, recreation, and support agencies.

The link between exercise and improvement in chronic mental health conditions is strong, with exercise being shown to have a positive effect on mental illnesses such as depression. Exercise for prevention and treatment of mental health conditions undoubtedly has a powerful impact on people’s lives.

Exercise, as a treatment, has been shown to have a substantial impact on the brain. Associated benefits of exercise also include overall happiness, well-being, confidence and improved self-esteem.

People who undertake regular physical activity or exercise, even at very low levels, are less likely to experience symptoms of depression and are less likely to experience future depressive episodes. Exercise has a moderate clinical effect on depressive symptoms and may be as effective as psychological or pharmaceutical therapies for some individuals.

Speak to an accredited Exercise Physiologist

To view the events that are on in Victoria for Mental Health Week visit the Mental Health Foundation of Australia (VIC) events page below.

http://www.mentalhealthvic.org.au/

The Mental Health Foundation of Australia (Victoria) offers a number of support groups, as well as monthly Community Education Seminars.

Support Groups

• Mood Disorders Support Group – The free Mood Disorders Support Group meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month from 7:30pm to 9:00pm. The meetings are for anyone with a mood disorder, with family or friends welcome to attend. No need to book in advance.
• Domestic Violence Support Group – There is a monthly support group for women who are experiencing or have experienced domestic violence and the accompanying mental health issues that arise as a result.Domestic violence is a known cause of mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. This group supports the survivors’ of mental health and helps in enhancing self-confidence, positive self-esteem and building resilience.
• Travelling Together – Gender Diversity Support Group – Travelling Together is a new initiative to support those members of the trans and gender diverse (TGD) community who experience mental health issues and adjustment disorders while exploring their gender identity.
• S.C.A.R.S. Support Group – S.C.A.R.S – Sharing Childhood Anguish (Resilience & Support) is a support group for adults who grew up with a parent living with a mental illness.
• Foul Weather Friends – Youth Mood and Anxiety Support Group – Foul Weather Friends is a Youth Mood and Anxiety Support Group, aimed to support young people aged between 18 and 25.

Community Education Seminars

Community Education Seminars – Community Education Seminar series attracts leaders in the field of mental health who give the attendee an insight into their particular specialities. The seminar is generally run on the 1st Tuesday of each month at the Melbourne Clinic’s Isaac Schweitzer Room, 130 Church Street, Richmond, VIC.

Volunteer Programs

Volunteer Program – Volunteer groups form the basis of the mental health community providing a wide range of MHFA services and activities. Without the time and effort given by a large number of community members these services would not be available.