Council will mark Mental Health Month in October with a video competition, collaborative art projects, inclusive story time, online dance class, and social connection opportunities.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted on the wellbeing and mental health of many of us," said Inner West Mayor Rochelle Porteous.
"Feelings of anxiety, anger, fear, frustration and despair are a common and natural response to a traumatic experience.
"Inner West has long advocated on mental health issues and we will continue to do so.
"For example, our long-term support to turn Callan Park into a wellness sanctuary bridging the gap between acute care and home life for those with mental illness, and contributing to the mental, physical and social health of the entire community," Mayor Porteous said.
Find Mental Health Month activities on Council's What's On. Other events include:
• Council is partnering with Sydney Local Health District Mental Health Services to raise awareness of Mental Health Month with a short video competition.
Local creatives are invited to submit a three-to-four minute video addressing the theme Tune In.
Ideas could include:
• What has been one thing that worked really well for your mental health during lockdown
• How have you stayed connected
• What would you recommend to someone who is struggling
Submit your interpretation or answers to these questions via performance, music, spoken word, interpretive dance, poetry. Essentially any form of expression that tells a story.
Entries close 31 October 2021. Go to innerwest.nsw.gov.au/MentalHealthMonth
• Drag Storytime with Hannah Conda, Newtown Neighbourhood Centre online session, Wednesday 6 October, 12 midday-1pm
Families are invited to hear inclusive story books and join in some singing and dancing.
Drag Storytime with Hannah Conda
• Collaborative Artmaking with Roomies Arts Facebook Live Event, Saturday 9 October, 11am-12 midday
Anne Kwasner and Michelle Connolly from Roomies Arts will work with mixed media and recycled materials to create a collaborative artwork, showing how combined artmaking can foster a sense of wellbeing and be an energising way of connecting with others.
This interactive session encourages playfulness, collaboration, and communication.
• Peer Work the Musical, Sydney Local Health District, Zoom performance, Thursday 14 October, 12 midday – 2pm
Online creative space bringing together people with lived experience of mental distress and extreme states, enabling social inclusion for marginalised residents of the Inner West.
https://slhd.zoom.us/j/6671420023
• Music and Movement online dance class with Beatriz Occhiuzzi, Newtown Neighbourhood Centre online session, Wednesday 20 October, 12 midday-1pm
Open to everyone to explore the benefits of music and movement.
Wellness Wednesdays: Online Dance Class with Beatriz
• Art Therapy Class with Debra, Newtown Neighbourhood Centre online session, Wednesday 27th October 12 midday – 1pm.
Open to everyone to explore their creative side
Wellness Wednesdays: Online Art Therapy Class with Debra
• Older Women's Network online panel, Thursday 28 October, 2pm – 3.15pm
OWN NSW Ambassador will host a panel comprised of experts and women with lived experiences:
o Petrea King, CEO of the Quest for Life Foundation
o An aboriginal elder
o Lyn Maciver, a past board member and current member of OWN NSW who is caring for her husband after his stroke and her daughter with complex mental health needs
o An expert from the Sydney Local Health District Mental Health Services and Community Mental Health Team
ownnsw.org.au/news-events/upcoming-events
