VETERANS SHINE A LIGHT ON PTSD AT TOWNSVILLE PRIVATE CLINIC

Veterans from Mates4Mates and patients from Townsville Private Clinic took to the court for an indoor wheelchair rugby tournament to raise awareness and take time to support mental well-being. Warrant Officer Class One, Jason Watene took place in the tournament and shared his own mental health battle to encourage others not to suffer in silence.

After taking part in a Townsville Private Clinic trauma program, WO1 Watene said he wanted to use the tools he's learnt to take back to his workplace and better support other serving members of the defence force through their mental health journeys too.

CEO of Twonsville Private Clinic Amanda Delacy with WO1 Jason Watene

 

TUNING IN TO STOMP OUT STIGMA AT THE HILLS CLINIC

The team at The Hills Clinic tapped into this year's theme for NSW Mental Health Month by inviting online communities to 'Tune In' to a series of virtual mental health education seminars in support of Mental Health Week. The Hills Clinic also celebrated Odd Socks Day to raise awareness, reduce the stigma attached to mental illness and start conversations around positive mental health.

 

SHOWCASING 'OUR COLOURFUL LIVES' AT THE MARIAN CENTRE

In response to Western Australia's Mental Health Week theme 'Strengthening Our Community-Live, Learn Work and Play', patients and staff at The Marian Centre took time to showcase how they choose to live and play by participating in a community photography exhibition across Mental Health Week 2020. 

The exhibition displayed 'colour' as the central theme, visually depicting how 'colour' can be captured through the lens of a camera. In support of the exhibition theme, each day of the week was dedicated to a different colour with staff and patients participating by wearing shade of yellow on Tuesday 13 October, 2020.

 

CULTIVATING COFFEE & CONVERSATION AT SOUTH COAST PRIVATE HOSPITAL

During Mental Health Week, the team at South Coast Private Hospital hosted a 'feel good' coffee and conversation morning. Staff were prompted with a series of conversation starters to encourage individuals to reach out and check in with one another. Feeling connected to others plays an important part in your mental well-being. In the times of COVID-19 taking time to talk, listen and be there for others allows you to feel more connected to yourself and your surroundings. 

 

‘PAWS’ FOR THOUGHT AT ROBINA PRIVATE HOSPITAL

Pet therapy has been a long standing initiative encouraging interaction, self-esteem and a 'pleasant distraction' from life's challenges. Amidst the activities held in support of Queensland Mental Health Week, staff and patients at Robina Private Hospital were greeted with a special visit from a couple of furry friends. With the impacts of social distancing and the easing of restrictions, it was a wonderful way to lesson feelings of loneliness and isolation while improving socialisation and a sense of community for everyone at the hospital.

 

MAD ABOUT MAKING MENTAL HEALTH MILESTONES AT MACKAY PRIVATE HOSPITAL

The staff at Mackay Private Hospital well and truly kick-started Queensland Mental Health Week by celebrating a hallmark in the hospital's history with hitting 100% occupancy in their new mental health ward! Across the week, staff were also greeted with a few friendly faces serving up complimentary coffee and conversations.

MAD Cow Coffee Headed up by Sonia Oliver Scoble made a special visit to the hospital. The stigma-stomping coffee van was established as a positive legacy to her son who lost his battle with anxiety. The local home-grown business is passionate about reducing the stigma associated with mental illness and raising awareness of suicide treatment and prevention.

 

SHARING A SMILE CAMPAIGN AT SOUTH EASTERN PRIVATE HOSPITAL

During Mental Health Week, children at St Anthony's Primary School expressed their kindness to staff and patients at South Eastern Private Hospital by taking part a "Share a Smile" project. 

The mental health initiative included illustrations donated from St Anythony's to be placed throughout the hospital for patients, staff and doctors to enjoy. Due to COVID-19 restrictions and the ceasing of visiting hours, this feel-good community project provided much needed joy for those at the hospital and was a welcomed highlight to Mental Health Week 2020.