From the CEO
Hello everyone.
October is Mental Health Month in NSW. This year, the theme is Let’s Talk About It, serves as an important reminder to take stock of our own mental health as well as that of those around us. Throughout the month, several exciting and meaningful events are taking place, and I encourage you to get involved. Firstly, our Wellness Walks, in Newcastle on 12 October, and Sydney on 13 October, which are made possible by the support of our sponsors Lundbeck and Otsuka and community partners like WayAhead, Wellways, Stride, Port Waratah and many others. The creative group at Primary Integrated Care Supports (PICS) is holding their second annual art exhibition “ANXIETY” at the Harold Park Community Hall at Tramsheds, Glebe, on 31 October and 1 November. I am also looking forward to attending the inaugural Mental Health in the Workplace Conference on 18 October at the Sage Hotel, Wollongong.
This year, National Carers Week will be from 13-19 October. This important week is an opportunity for us all to recognise the invaluable and important role of carers and raise awareness of the more than 3 million Australians who provide unpaid care and support to their family or friends.
Two Support Groups that have been integral to One Door and their local communities are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year- an amazing achievement. This Friday, Beautiful Minds in Macarthur will host a celebratory luncheon, and on 7 November, the Central Coast Schizophrenia and Bipolar Fellowship will be celebrating their anniversary in Gosford. I would like to personally thank all carers for their advocacy, compassion and support over the years.
I would like to congratulate Jennifer Black on her appointment as the NSW Mental Health Commissioner. Jennifer previously held the position of CEO at the Queensland Alliance for Mental Health, where she worked extensively with various government agencies, service providers, and the community to improving mental health services across Queensland. I look forward to meeting with her in due course to discuss the positive changes we can make in NSW.
Finally, I am excited to be a part of SANE’s Digital Mental Health System Navigation Project. The project aims to review how Australians access mental health support across the service system and to co-design new digital solutions that improve navigation. Led by SANE and supported by Nous Group, the project is funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Health and Aged Care. One Door joins 15 sector leaders to form a consortium that will work closely with the lived e experience community and the broader mental health sector. The goal is to inform and support the government by sharing ways to help people navigate the mental health system and access timely support.
Until next month …