After collating feedback from the local community, the Yarrawonga Health Community Advisory Committee is now implementing measures to close the gap in mental health services.
The advisory committee encompasses a group of community members that bring the local cross-border voices of the community to Yarrawonga Health executive and board.
After receiving feedback from the local community, the committee members identified mental health support as a gap in the services available to all ages in the community.
The feedback identified three different areas that needed support, resources, and a greater understanding of how they can manage mental health issues within their homes and beyond that into their communities.
Taking this feedback on, the committee have sourced funding from local clubs and community groups and has sourced a trainer through St. John First Aid to deliver training that specifically deals with parenting young people, living in a rural setting and general mental health self-care.
The sessions are free – and are held at appropriate times to suit different sections of the community
Annie Irvine, who is a Community Advisory Committee member, said these courses have the potential for our community to boost knowledge and awareness of mental health in the workplace, sporting groups and local community groups.
“The sessions will also teach and enable effective responses and proactive support throughout our rural community,” Annie said.
“Having our community members with the capacity to support people in crisis will shift perspectives and reduce and help the mental health sigmas; research suggests this can lead to transformation in our workplace cultures, sporting cultures and social behaviours.
“I would highly recommend embracing this wonderful free resource for all members, groups, clubs and workplaces within our community, piece by piece and conversation by conversation, which will collectively reframe mental health within our Yarrawonga and surrounding communities.”
Breaking down mental illness stigma in the community
A personal perspective
As a proud member of the CAC Committee, I am committed to breaking down the stigma surrounding mental illness in our community.
It’s important to spread the message that “It’s OK not to be OK.”
Having personally experienced depression and anxiety, I understand the importance of addressing these issues early, especially with children and youth, to prevent long-term struggles.
Without intervention, mental health problems can evolve into more severe issues, potentially leading to broken adults.
Mental illness doesn’t discriminate.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one in five adults live with some form of mental illness. This can result from a variety of contributing factors, including biological factors such as genetics and brain chemistry, as well as life experiences like trauma, abuse, and family history.
Depression can be devastating. It is exhausting, isolating, and completely life-altering. In some cases, it can even become deadly.
Almost 32% of Australians aged 18-24 have experienced suicidal behaviours in the past year.
For every death by suicide in Australia, it’s estimated that 30 attempts are made. This tragic reality also disproportionately impacts Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as well as those within the LGBTQI+ community.
It’s crucial that as a community, we come together to support mental health awareness and provide resources that can help individuals before it’s too late.
Ending the stigma surrounding mental illness is key to fostering a healthier, more compassionate society.
Kathy Payne