Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network have released a mental health diary for the financial year to prompt a balanced lifestyle in regional communities.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The diaries were created as an initiative of the MPHN drought steering committee and funded under the Australian government's Empowering Our Communities program, with a particular focus on helping those affected by the recent and ongoing drought, according to MPHN CEO Melissa Neal.
"Through this funding, we're rolling out a range of mental health support initiatives to help farmers and communities to deal with the uncertainty, stress and anxiety of drought conditions, and this diary is one strategy to help build local community capacity and to reduce stigma around mental health," she said.
In other news:
Available at a wide range of associated services and businesses in Wagga, Ms Neal said the diary covered many key aspects related to a healthy state of mind.
"Scattered throughout the diary are tips for managing stress, practicing self-care, how to identify if someone might need support, dos and don'ts of Christmas, when you should seek help for depression, and most importantly where to go to seek help," she said.
Director of Wagga Family Support Services Jenna Roberts was one distributor of the diaries and said so far, the feedback was positive.
"We had a few leftover diaries to put in the waiting room after handing them out to staff, and they just disappeared like that," she said.
"I'd see people picking them up and ask why, and they would say things like 'I can really relate to the picture on the cover' or one of the clients said they really liked January which is about how to create a balanced life, as well as really clear, easy ideas, there's no clinical speak, just every day conversations to start with yourself and others."
Ms Roberts said the diaries reduced the stigma around seeking help for mental health.
"If we ask people to pick up self help information flyers, they often sit around untouched for months or end up in the bin, whereas ween it is in an everyday format like this diary that they can use everyday, it makes such a difference and reduces the stigma around self-help," she said.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency call the Murrumbidgee Accessline on 1800 011 944, Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511, Lifeline on 13 11 14, or call 000.
To access the Head to Health website visit www.headtohealth.org.au.
