Mental Health Week 2023 – Celebrating Our Strengths

The Northern Territory Mental Health Week was held between 7-15 October 2023. This year’s theme was Celebrating Our Strengths.

MHACA’s 30th Birthday

Happy birthday MHACA! We hosted our 30th birthday celebration at MHACA’s Drop-in Centre as part of Mental Health Week.

Maya and Olga, who supported the early development of the organisation, joined us and shared some stories. They highlighted the reputation of the work we do, and how fantastic it is that MHACA is still going strong, 30 years on.

Pip and Mandy shared their experiences as MHACA participants, and our CEO Dira and Pip, launched the Lived Experience Workforce Development Framework MHACA has developed with the support of Charles Darwin University and the Northern Territory PHN.

Thank you to Aunty Sabella Kngwarraye for the Welcome to Country and traditional healing ceremony, and to the more than 80 people, stakeholders and community members who came and celebrated with us.

Tjanpi Weaving Workshop

Tjanpi Desert Weavers came to MHACA and hosted two weaving workshops as part of Mental Health Week. Community members and MHACA participants had the opportunity to learn how to make a basket out of natural fibers, and took a moment to relax and enjoy each others company.

A big thank you to Trudy, Julie, and Ruby – we had a lovely morning!

Tjanpi Desert Weavers is a social enterprise of the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women’s Council, working with women in the remote Central and Western desert regions who earn an income from contemporary fiber art. Beyond providing the women with an income, weaving is a meditative practice that supports wellbeing by calming the mind and allowing stress to melt away.

Stress Less in the Park

More than 450 people enjoyed the beautiful weather at Stress Less in the Park and learnt more about how to support mental health and wellbeing. 27 local organisations hosted stalls and shared information about the support people in Mpartnwe/Alice Springs can access.

A special thank you to Aunty Sabella Kngwarraye for the Welcome to Country and traditional healing ceremony, Deputy Mayor Alison Bitar, Millee Sotheren from Northern Territory PHN, Plaza Wellbeing Centre, FoodBank, and to the stakeholders and community members who came and stressed less with us.

Stress Less in the Park is the feature event of Mental Health Week and is organised by MHACA, with the support of partner organisations, the Northern Territory PHN and Alice Springs Town Council.

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Mental Health Association Central Australia
17 hours ago
Mental Health Association Central Australia

Trigger warning: this post contains information on domestic, family and sexual violence and could cause distress.

#16DaysOfActivismAgainstGenderBasedViolence

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are disproportionately impacted by domestic, family, and sexual violence (DFSV). In the Northern Territory, the victimisation rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women is 18 times higher than in other parts of Australia, with domestic violence related assaults occurring at three times the national average.

The drivers of violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women include:
• Ongoing impacts of colonisation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities
• Ongoing impacts of colonisation for non-Indigenous people and society
• The gendered drivers
o Condoning violence against women
o Men’s control of decision-making and limits to women’s independence in public and private life
o Rigid gender stereotyping and dominant forms of masculinity
o Male peer relations and culture of masculinity that emphasise aggression, dominance and control

By challenging harmful myths and understanding the drivers of DFSV for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, we can work together to create meaningful change and build safer, stronger communities.

For more information go to www.ourwatch.org.au/preventing-violence/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-women

If you are feeling unsafe or would like to talk with someone you can call:

Sexual Assault Referral Centre - SARC (Free, confidential support services to people who have been sexually assaulted) Office hours and 24/7 crisis support phone: 8955 4500

WoSSCA (Women’s Safety Services of Central Australia) (Crisis accommodation and support for women and children experiencing domestic or family violence) 24/7 phone support: 8952 6075

1800RESPECT (National sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service). 24/7 phone support: 1800 737 732

13YARN (Crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples). 24/7 phone support: 13 92 76

In case of an emergency call 000. ... See MoreSee Less

Trigger warning: this post contains information on domestic, family and sexual violence and could cause distress. #16DaysOfActivismAgainstGenderBasedViolence Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are disproportionately impacted by domestic, family, and sexual violence (DFSV). In the Northern Territory, the victimisation rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women is 18 times higher than in other parts of Australia, with domestic violence related assaults occurring at three times the national average. The drivers of violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women include: • Ongoing impacts of colonisation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities • Ongoing impacts of colonisation for non-Indigenous people and society • The gendered drivers o Condoning violence against women o Men’s control of decision-making and limits to women’s independence in public and private life o Rigid gender stereotyping and dominant forms of masculinity o Male peer relations and culture of masculinity that emphasise aggression, dominance and control By challenging harmful myths and understanding the drivers of DFSV for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, we can work together to create meaningful change and build safer, stronger communities. For more information go to https://www.ourwatch.org.au/preventing-violence/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-women If you are feeling unsafe or would like to talk with someone you can call: Sexual Assault Referral Centre - SARC (Free, confidential support services to people who have been sexually assaulted) Office hours and 24/7 crisis support phone: 8955 4500 WoSSCA (Women’s Safety Services of Central Australia) (Crisis accommodation and support for women and children experiencing domestic or family violence) 24/7 phone support: 8952 6075 1800RESPECT (National sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service). 24/7 phone support: 1800 737 732 13YARN (Crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples). 24/7 phone support: 13 92 76 In case of an emergency call 000.Image attachment
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Mental Health Association Central Australia
2 days ago
Mental Health Association Central Australia

A big congratulations to MHACA's Craft and Music Connection groups for being recognised by the Alice Springs Town Council for their outstanding work in the mental health sector as part of the International Day of People with Disability Mayoral Awards.

Both groups have been running at MHACA's Drop-in Centre for many years providing a therapeutic and supportive space where participants can connect, create, and learn from one another. These groups offer participants the opportunity to express themselves through art while promoting mental, emotional and social wellbeing.

Well done team! ... See MoreSee Less

A big congratulations to MHACAs Craft and Music Connection groups for being recognised by the Alice Springs Town Council for their outstanding work in the mental health sector as part of the International Day of People with Disability Mayoral Awards. Both groups have been running at MHACAs Drop-in Centre for many years providing a therapeutic and supportive space where participants can connect, create, and learn from one another. These groups offer participants the opportunity to express themselves through art while promoting mental, emotional and social wellbeing. Well done team!Image attachmentImage attachment
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Congratulations, keep up the good work MHACA.

Congratulations 🙌 MHACA, LUVYA WORK!!!

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