STAWELL residents are gearing up for the Speaking of Mental Health Roadshow that is visiting the town later this month.
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Hosted by Grampians Pyrenees Primary Care Partnership, the aim of the roadshow is to educate community members on mental health issues, promote better mental health and reduce stigma.
Spokesperson and event organiser, Lauren Dempsey believes reducing the stigma of mental health in our community is very important.
“With rates of suicide and mental illness being higher in our region than the Victorian average, we wanted to educate the local community and get people talking about mental health again.” Miss Dempsey said.
“Bringing the topic out in the open and having Nic share his story will be the first step to letting people know a mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of.”
Mental health advocate and internationally renowned guest speaker, Nic Newling will be presenting on his personal experience with mental illness. Nic's presentations are an off-the-cuff narrative of what the mental health journey has been for him, his friends, and his family. It's unscripted and deeply personal.
Being unscripted and raw allows Nic a freedom to further explore topics of particular interest to an audience. Audience members will be able to engage with Nic through interactive question and answer sessions.
"I think there can be something really powerful about learning through someone else's experiences,” Nic said.
"I learnt so much more about mental health through conversations with fellow students and patients in wards than I ever did in a classroom. After I dropped out of school I realised that mental health education often lacked the most important side to it – the human side. That's what I want to change."
For people wanting further information or looking to seek support, stalls will be available with information on local support services.
Service providers from local mental health organisations will also be available to speak to on the night.
The roadshow will kick off on Monday, April 18 at the Stawell Entertainment Centre.
Ararat is hosting Nic at the Ararat Performing Arts Centre on Wednesday, April 20. There will be sessions in Beaufort and St Arnaud on April 19 and 21 respectively.
All sessions will run from 7pm-9pm with light catering provided.
The roadshow is hosted by Grampians Pyrenees Primary Care Partnership in conjunction with Central Grampians Local Learning Employment Network and Northern Grampians Shire Council.
For further information please contact Lauren Dempsey on 5352 6204 or email pcphp2@grampianscommunityhealth.org.au.