Dear Readers,
It has been the busiest and most exciting Mental Health Month I can remember. The theme Share the Journey has been adapted to numerous messages and has been met with positive applause. The Launch, conducted over lunch, showcased the amazing work being done by 8 award winners plus the Commissioner’s Community Champion Award Winner. I encourage you to read their stories and share that journey.
For the first time in many years, WayAhead organised or partnered with others to hold various events throughout October and we each have our favourite event and experience. I was excited to see racing car driver, Cameron Hill, drive his Porsche along the tracks in Bathurst and on the Gold Coast with the Mental Health Month logo clearly visible on the side of his car. That is an audience we haven’t targeted before.
Another first was the sharing of the theme and Mental Health Month (rather than Week) with Victoria and the ACT. We are hopeful other States will follow the lead and join us for a month of celebration in the years ahead.
There are many people to thank for the success we enjoy. The NSW Ministry of Health and the Mental Health Commission of NSW for their continuing financial support and presence for the Month; the many community groups and individuals who, in some cases year after year, organise mental health and wellbeing events that are creative and engaging. Our Mental Health Matters Award sponsors ACON, Transcultural Mental Health and grant sponsors such as FACS are invaluable in keeping those activities going.
I want to thank the judges for the grants and the awards. They gave their time and expertise in the best spirits. Last but not least is the amazing team we have here at WayAhead. They work hard prior to the month, and this year in particular, they worked even harder supporting all our events throughout the year. Thank you all and I look forward to Mental Health Month 2019 when we Share the Journey once again.
Elizabeth Priestley
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