With COVID restrictions throwing a damper on his popular annual Community Mental Health Forum, Macquarie Fields State Member Anoulack Chanthivong MP has gone online.
From July through to October, Mr Chanthivong will host a Mental Health Matters monthly video series on a range of mental health issues, featuring special guests and providing important information on access to local services, in partnership with Beautiful Minds South-West Sydney.
“Mental health is an ongoing concern in our community and my series of videos will help to reduce the stigma often associated with mental ill health and provide avenues for support. The lockdown has certainly reminded us all to look after our mental health and reach out to each other during this difficult time,” Mr Chanthivong said.
President of Beautiful Minds South-West Sydney, Cheryl Paradella, said now more than ever it was important to continue the conversation on mental health, especially as “the devastating impact of the bushfires, closely followed by the COVID-19 pandemic, has had an enormous impact on mental health in our community. “
The video series will be posted on Anoulack’s Facebook page on the last Friday of each month, July through to October, https://www.facebook.com/AnoulackMacquarieFields .
Speakers and topics are as follows:
- July: Caring for someone with mental ill health – Cheryl Paradella President, Beautiful Minds South-West Sydney
- August: Mental wellness during a pandemic and natural disasters – Associate Professor Jill Newby Black Dog Institute
- September: Self-harm generation: why they do it and what to do about it – Dr Paul Fung Clinical Director Enhanced Services – Uniting
- October: Mental Health Matters – Let’s Keep Talking – Mr Ashley de Silva ReachOut Australia CEO
(Photo from the 2019 Forum)
