March Group Activities Calendar

Mental Health Association Central Australia

11 hours ago

This week is #LonelinessAwarenessWeek (4–10 August), and this year's focus is on young people. It's a good opportunity to encourage all Australians to create a culture of connection at home, at work, in schools, online, and in the community.

Loneliness is one of the primary social challenges reported by individuals with mental health conditions in Australia. Two in five young Australians feel lonely at any given time, and one in seven experiences persistent loneliness. Young people who are persistently lonely are seven times more likely to experience psychological distress.

Making friends or forming connections takes time and effort, but it often starts with a small moment—an awkward hello, a chance encounter, an act of kindness, a compliment, a shared experience or interest, or even a funny story. These small but meaningful interactions matter. They spark conversation and help us feel seen and valued.

Check out the video below, in which young people share their experiences of loneliness and highlight the power of meaningful social connection.

Read more at www.lonelinessawarenessweek.com.au

#MomentsMatter #LonelinessAwarenessWeekAU ... See MoreSee Less

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Mental Health Association Central Australia

5 days ago

The Central Australian Suicide Prevention Forum took place on 17–18 June at Alice Springs Desert Park.

Over the two days, participants heard from a powerful range of voices—including people with lived experience and frontline service providers—coming together to strengthen suicide prevention efforts across Central Australia. We also offered workshops focused on Holding Ourselves Strong While Helping Others, Social and Emotional Wellbeing, De-escalation Tools, and Navigating Tough Emotions.

A big thank you to all our event partners and funders: Central Australia Life Promotion Network, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, Northern Territory Government, CatholicCare NT , SabrinasReach4Life, Thirrili - Indigenous Suicide Postvention Service, StandBy Support After Suicide, Rocket Bretherton, NT Health, headspace Alice Springs, Nikki McCoy, Penangke Cultural Consultants, Trainspire, and Sabella Turner for her warm Welcome to Country. Together, we created a culturally safe and meaningful space for connection, shared experience, and strengthening community-led suicide prevention strategies.

If you would like to hear more about this and other suicide prevention initiatives, join the Central Australia Life Promotion Network—our local suicide prevention network—by emailing healthpromotion@mhaca.org.au.

#suicideprevention #CentralAustralia #mentalhealth #LifePromotion #livedexperience #CommunityWellbeing ... See MoreSee Less

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