Mental Health Month Events
There are over 30 events happening across the ACT for Mental Health Month in 2020 - view the calendar below to get involved!
If you are interested in hosting an event for 2020 and would like to promote it by listing it in the calendar we encourage you to register your event.
Calendar of Events 2020
Navigating Teen Mental Health
Online Webinar
Free access throughout October! Participants will gain an insight into mental illness from a lived experience perspective; skills to recognise signs of mental illness and strategies for having a meaningful conversation if you are worried about a young person’s mental health. Presenter: Ms Shai Mikus, Volunteer Youth Presenter, Black Dog Institute
Evidence-based Drug Education for Preventing Drug-related Harms
Online Webinar
Free access throughout October! This presentation discusses the role school communities can play in drug and alcohol prevention, the importance of evidence-based prevention practices and offers strategies for preventing harm from alcohol and other drugs. Presenters: Ms Tara Guckel, Ms Felicity Duong, Dr Kylie Routledge, Dr Smriti Nepal and Dr Lexine Stapinski, Positive Choices
Mums Exercise Group Australia Mental Health Month
Online - Facebook
MEGA will be running an online challenge for members that focuses on mental health during October. It will include advice from professionals and activities that members can do at home to improve and maintain their mental health. Head to the MEGA Facebook group to find out more!
Art for Mental Health at ANU – Reconnecting through the Arts
The Australian National University, Acton ACT 2601, Australia
ANU Thrive is hosting Art for Mental Health workshops, an art exhibition and talks from students who use visual arts as part of their mental health recovery journey. The exhibition and talks will be available to the public online. This event runs throughout October.
The Man Walk with Vikings and Mengineering
Viking Park, 6 Ricardo Street, Wanniassa Australian Capital Territory 2903
Josh Vaughan: 0428737974 email
The Man Walk provides an opportunity for men to form social connections and to feel like part of a supportive and inclusive community, and in doing so, we are building social capital, resilience and support networks for men in communities throughout Australia and the world.
Walk and Talk
Weston Park, Weston Park Rd, Yarralumla ACT 2600, Australia
Rebecca Robinson: (02) 6162 5800
2020 has impacted us all differently! We understand that anxiety can be contagious, debilitating and prevent us from connecting with others. Across three events and age groups, we want to facilitate a conversation, get out in nature and have some fun.
Walk for Mental Health Awareness
Lake Burley Griffin, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
October is Mental Health Month. Let's get together and have a walk together in the sunshine, relieve some stress, create some new connections. Physical distancing applies.
Everyone who attends will receive a small gift of appreciation.
On Wednesday 7 October 2020 at 12:00 PM
LOCATION
Meeting at Cafe near the flags @ Lake Burley Griffin
Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes, ACT 2600
Everyone who attends will receive a small gift of appreciation.
Walk and Talk
Weston Park, Weston Park Rd, Yarralumla ACT 2600, Australia
Rebecca Robinson: (02) 6162 5800
2020 has impacted us all differently! We understand that anxiety can be contagious, debilitating and prevent us from connecting with others. Across three events and age groups, we want to facilitate a conversation, get out in nature and have some fun.
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Conversation & Connection with Lockie Cooke - Founder of iYarn
Zoom
Lockie currently heads up iyarn, which is a health and wellbeing software platform. iyarn facilitates safe spaces for people to come together to have meaningful conversations, and works with businesses and community groups to build resilience and promoting mentally friendly workplaces.
MHM Launch Event
Online - Facebook
Jump online to view the official launch of Mental Health Month in the ACT on World Mental Health Day! This Video series looks to promote positive mental health, break down stigma associated with mental illness and investigate the community mental health services available in Canberra.
Compeer Springtime Walk (closed event)
Weston Park, Weston Park Rd, Yarralumla ACT 2600, Australia
Compeer office: 0427 930 460
This event is a closed for the Compeer Participants and Volunteers only. Focus of this event is on celebration of the friendship, healthy living, and recovery journey from mental health challenges.It will give also an opportunity to share an individual stories of coping mechanisms during COVID-19.
Cooking Workshop
CIT Reid Constitution Av, Reid ACT 2612, Australia
Dr. Shamaruh Mirza, 0433550699 Email:,
The workshop will have three phases. The workshop will consist of a lecture by an expert about the impact of creative activities/cooking on mental health followed by cooking workshop and eating. Cooking and good food, make you happy!
Walk and Talk
255 Goyder St, Narrabundah ACT 2604, Australia
Rebecca Robinson: (02) 6162 5800
2020 has impacted us all differently! We understand that anxiety can be contagious, debilitating and prevent us from connecting with others. Across three events and age groups, we want to facilitate a conversation, get out in nature and have some fun.
Managing for wellbeing – understanding mental health in our current environment, featuring David Burroughs, Australian Psychological Services
Online webinar
This session will cover practical insights on transitioning to our next new normal – how and why this situation is different from the first phase of COVID-19 disruption. With a focus on the changing nature of work and the dynamics of remote, mixed and traditional ways of working, the discussion will cover key emerging risk areas and practicalities of isolation and a physical return to work. David will introduce some key models and frameworks for understanding the variable impacts of our new ways of working and the ongoing uncertainty and disruption of COVID-19.
Breathing Club: A four week online conscious breathing program
Online
A four-week online conscious breathing program - helping you consciously connect with your breath and your body. Breathing is one of the most overlooked aspects of our daily lives, yet it is one of the most powerful tools we have to improve our wellbeing. Breathing Club will help you engage more consciously with your breath and your body. It will introduce simple and dynamic breathing practices to help you alleviate stress, anxiety, low energy, improve concentration, immunity and much more! It also provides you with an opportunity to step away from the collective fear and anxiety of our current global experience. This program is designed for people who hold the belief "I don't breathe well" or "I cannot meditate".
Quarterly Forum : Regional Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan
Zoom
The Mental Health Community Coalition of the ACT, the ACT Mental Health Consumer Network and Carers ACT invite you to an online forum on the Regional Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan.
The forum is an opportunity to hear and ask questions about how the Plan will be implemented in our region and how it integrates with other ACT Government initiatives.
This forum will be held online using the zoom platform. A link will be emailed to you when you register.
Please register your interest with by Monday 12 October 2020
Mental Health – We are all in this together…
350 Antil Street, Watson
(02) 6262 3453
Join us for a day full of fun at STEPS. The day will include Yoga, mindfulness, information sharing & Art Therapy, focusing on Mental Health & Wellbeing. Opportunities will be available to connect and network with services and families.
Slow Sewing with Gungahlin Arts
Online
0403 929 739
Email:
In a friendly environment, you’ll learn from local artists and use hand sewing and fabric collage techniques to explore ways of being in the moment. The techniques in this workshop are easy to learn. No sewing experience is required, and all skill levels welcome.
Caring for ‘The Carers’
Cnr Hambidge Cres and Proctor St, Chisholm ACT 2905, Australia
Cheryl Turek 0416 030 323
Carers give of their time, energy and put others first. Let us spoil you for the afternoon (food, massage, resources & more). Come along for some R&R. Due to COVID restrictions attendees will need to book. Please see contact information.
Slow Sewing with Gungahlin Arts
7/26 Francis Forde Blvd, Forde ACT 2914, Australia
0403 929 739
Email:
In a friendly environment, you’ll learn from local artists and use hand sewing and fabric collage techniques to explore ways of being in the moment. The techniques in this workshop are easy to learn. No sewing experience is required, and all skill levels welcome.
Positive Post-its in the Park
Glebe Park, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
Positive Post Its are for everyone and can be created by anyone. We are a mental wellness event focussed on sharing positive messages for community, family and self. We invite you to share peace, love and post-its in the park!
Celebrity Allstars
Narrabundah ACT 2604, Australia
Help Now Group: 0406 490 525
Email:
Stars coming together from all sporting events and radio / tv personalities for mental health peer work and recognising lived experience. Come out for stadium food a week back into school and post election hangover! Who will be in the Game? Hannah Mouncey VWFL star and advocate for mental health. Kira-Lea Dargin - 1st Indigenous Female to play on Grid Iron USA All Stars, Preston Campbell Gold Coast Titans and Legend, Brian Greening Canberra Cavalry Hall of Famer, Richie Allan Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, Kyle Perkins Captain Canberra Cavalry, and many many more.
Let’s Talk Autism, Employment and Mental Health
56 Hoskins St, Mitchell ACT 2911, Australia
Michele McKell: 0432 023 441
Autistic job seekers aged 16+ come play games and share your experiences and challenges with mental health and securing employment with other autistic people. Jolt Games will facilitate a range of games and no game experience needed and game play is free. Register your attendance through Eventbrite.
Perinatal Wellbeing Fest
6 Minns Pl, Weston ACT 2611, Australia
(02) 6287 3961
Email:
A family friendly event with music and activities, including a jumping castle, yoga class and gardening masterclass. This event will be a great opportunity to connect with the community through these difficult times.
CHS Mental Health Ambassadors Program
4 Bindubi St, Macquarie ACT 2614, Australia
Paul Simmons: 6142 0800
The Canberra High School Mental Health Ambassadors Program is a two-day workshop run in conjunction with 'Lifeline Youth Networx LYNX' that provides training for students with an understanding of adolescent mental health issues, so that these young people can take on the role of a CHS Mental Health Ambassador
The art of health, a photographic exhibition.
2 Launceston St, Phillip ACT 2606, Australia
Stephanie Smith: 6142 3289
A photography exhibition to bring mental health into the light and celebrate creativity, provide greater awareness of mental health and celebrate the skills and abilities of Canberra College Photography students.
Seasons for Growth: Understanding your grief
15 Napier Cl, Deakin ACT 2600, Australia
or call on 0427 431 288
Understanding Your Grief is a FREE 8 week workshop to help you understand your feelings of grief and loss and develop tools to build resilience. If you are living with the effects of change and loss then join us in a supportive and understanding environment.
Trauma – reaction and recovery in the workplace, featuring Carmel O’Sullivan, Construction Charitable Works
Online webinar
This webinar will provide guidance relevant to all industries on responding to and recovery after a traumatic event, such as a workplace incident, assault or natural disaster. Designed for leaders in your workplace, this webinar will cover how to manage psychological and physical health risks following such trauma.
Conversation & Connecting with Marcus Pearce - CEO of The Wellness Couch
Zoom
Marcus Pearce is CEO of The Wellness Couch - Australia's largest podcast network dedicated to Wellness. We will speak to Marcus about how during uncertain times you can still make "the rest of your life the best of your life". Marcus is incredibly inspiring - you will love this conversation.
STRIKE Up Some Fun for Mental Health
Bunda St, Canberra ACT 2608, Australia
ACT MHCN: 6230 5796
A jolly social event where consumers can get together for a day of fun, socialising and making new friends in an exciting environment.Carers and support persons are welcome to participate. Registrations are required as places are limited.
Assistance animals and discrimination law: Your rights
Kinhill, 21 Barry Dr, Turner ACT 2612, Australia
Canberra Community Law: 02 6218 7900 email:
Do you have an assistance animal or would you like to find out more about the rights of people with assistance animals? Join Canberra Community Law and mindDog Australia for a lunchtime seminar on assistance animals and your rights.
Watch Your Wellness #CheckYourself
Online
Watch Your Wellness aims to bring awareness to the lived experience of mental illness and encourage community members to learn strategies to increase their health and wellbeing. This digital event includes a variety of activities such as mindfulness, art, exercise, music and speakers sharing their lived experience of mental illness and recovery. A video that illustrates the event (filmed in 2017) can be viewed here:
Coming Home: pre-launch and call for our stories
F gallery, Gorman Arts Centre, 55 Ainslie Ave, Braddon, ACT 2612
0432 826 016
Email:
Coming Home is an online publication about the unique mental health concerns experienced by LGB, trans, queer and intersex people who identify as Bla(c)k and / or as a Person of Colour. Come meet our community and share your stories.
The Bike Library’s Fix and Ride Workshops
Margaret Hendry School Bike Library, Taylor
Lisa, 0450557199 or Tammi at Margaret Hendry School, 61422800
Email:
In celebration of Mental Health month, the Bike Library will offer two workshop events for members of the community to equip and inspire an enjoyment for bike riding and active travel. These two workshops will help develop skills necessary to ride and maintain a bike.
Mums Exercise Group Australia (MEGA) Volunteer Facilitator Event (Closed Event)
Closed Event
Lyndal Lammers
MEGA believes in not only supporting mothers across Australia but in building up the incredible volunteers who give so much of themselves every day. We will be providing 15 of our amazing Volunteer Facilitators with Mental Health First Aid Training.
MHM Book club
Online Zoom
To celebrate Mental Health Month, we are hosting an online bookclub! We will be reading Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. We will be discussing different aspects of mental health including loneliness and anxiety with relation to the book as well as the Covid-19 pandemic with a panel of guests from the mental health space.
Mental Health First Aid for the Suicidal Person
6 Lonsdale St, Braddon ACT 2612, Australia
This Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training will teach you practical skills to support someone who is feeling suicidal and can make a real difference to people in your community.
Limited to 20 participants.
Self-Care Funday
8 Laidlaw Pl, Kambah ACT 2902, Australia
It's been a difficult six months. Take some time out to look after your physical and emotional health. Workshops, live entertainment, conversations, food opportunities
3rd Annual Canberra International Mental Health Film Festival
118 Emu Bank, Belconnen ACT 2617, Australia
This Is My Brave Australia Inc. presents the 3rd annual Canberra International Mental Health Film Festival TIMBA Inc. is dedicated to promoting a positive and national conversation around mental health through storytelling.
Films have been submitted from across the globe and adhere to the following festival guidelines:
• Must provide an inspiring voice for social justice and human rights for people with mental illness
• Highlights positive contributions made by mental health recipients
• Fights stigma and defies stereotypes associated with mental illness
• Shares real-life stories of people with mental health concerns
Beyond the Mind: Group breathwork session
1/27-29 Eyre St, Kingston ACT 2602, Australia
Our breath is one of the most overlooked aspects of our daily lives, but when we consciously connect with our breath, we have access to a powerful healing modality. Group breathwork is a useful practice for: - experiencing held or stored emotional material; - discharging stress and anxiety; - understanding behavioral issues; - addressing relation material & being vulnerable in a group setting; - exploring consciousness and life questions; and - improve general well-being.
The COVID silver lining: Innovation
Online Webinar
COVID-19 has driven mental health community organisations to provide mental health support differently. To learn how the sector adapted and is looking to the future you are invited to join an interactive MHCC ACT webinar on innovative service delivery.
Eliminating Stigma in the Workplace
Online Zoom
Join OzHelp’s CEO, Darren Black as he talks live with SANE Australia’s Dr Michelle Blanchard about why it is important we work to eliminate stigma in the workplace.
This session will explore the prevalence of stigma across Australian workplaces and how we can create working environments that are safe, connected, and free from stigma.
This is a 30-minute session with a 10-minute Q&A
Secure your place today!
Safe Work Practices - Beyond Hard Hats and High Vis
Online Zoom
oin OzHelp’s CEO Darren Black as he talks with Master Builders ACT’s Legal Counsel, Kristie Burt about how informed workplace communities can support safe work practices.
This session will explore how employers can ensure they meet obligations, support worker wellbeing and achieve business success.
Secure your place today!
ACT Mental Health Month Awards
Online - Facebook
The ACT Mental Health Month Awards aim to recognise the achievements of individuals, groups, organisations, businesses and initiatives in the area of Mental Health in the ACT. The Awards are a sector-wide initiative coordinated by the Mental Health Community Coalition ACT (MHCC ACT) and implemented by the ACT Mental Health Month Advisory Committee.
This year the ceremony will be virtual – a live stream event of the proceedings!
