MAYORAL MINUTE NO 16/2021
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH 28 SEPTEMBER 2021
Councillors,
Mental Health Awareness Month is celebrated each year in October. This month encourages all of us to think about the state of our own mental health and the importance of good mental health in our everyday lives. It’s also a time to seek help if you are experiencing symptoms and to reach out to those who may need that extra support.
Mental health is an issue that can strike anyone, at any point in their lifetime regardless of age, wellbeing, gender or background. While mental health has been a topic discussed openly, it’s still often seen as a cultural taboo. That’s because those who suffer from a mental health condition can feel ashamed to open up and tell others. They fear being judged about their diagnosis and the negative limitations that others can place upon them, and this can result in a further decline in health.
Further to this, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported that one in four people will be diagnosed with a mental illness at some point in their lives. That means that mental illness affects everyone in some way. If it’s not yourself who is struggling, it could be your child, a friend or loved one. More alarming, the WHO predicts that by 2030, depression will be the leading cause of disease around the world.
The COVID-19 pandemic is also having devastating affects on people both physically, mentally and economically. More and more people are experiencing social isolation and loneliness, and our mental health service providers are working around the clock to keep up with demand. An example of this happened on August 3 - that's week seven of the Greater Sydney lockdown - when Lifeline received more than 3000 calls made by people seeking their help. This was the highest number of calls the suicide prevention charity has ever received in its history.
I believe Council has an important role in supporting our community, especially their health and wellness and that’s why I’m proud to announce that Council will be offering two art therapy workshops for residents aged 12-15 years in October thanks to funding made available through the Targeted Early Intervention (TEI) program under the NSW Government Department of Communities and Justice. The pandemic has had severe impacts on young people and their mental health, and these classes will be one way to help them improve on their health and wellbeing, as well as connect them with professional counsellors.
This year’s Mental Health Awareness Month message is ‘that mental health is relevant to everyone’. To highlight this message and the benefits of looking after our mental health, Council will be painting an old tree trunk, which is now utilised as a bike rack in Bella Vista Farm, blue. The idea was inspired by the Blue Tree Project, which aims to spark conversations on mental health and to encourage those battling a mental illness to talk about it.
Adding to this, Council will be lighting up its atrium at its Norwest Administration Building to show its support for the campaign and to encourage residents to keep mentally well this October and beyond.
I highly encourage residents to access our vast collection of health and wellbeing resources and books from Council's Libraries. Our digital collection can be accessed via our free Hills Shire Library App. Library members can also borrow these books through Click & Collect, which is now available at Rouse Hill and Castle Hill Libraries.
We also have a number of local service providers which you can access if you are seeking help and you can find them in our Community Directory which is available on Council's website, www.thehills.nsw.gov.au.
Accordingly, I move that:
MOTION:
1. Council to light up its atrium at its Norwest Administration Building to support Mental Health Awareness Month.
2. Council to also paint the Old Tree Trunk Bike Rack blue to acknowledge the Blue Tree Project and to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing in The Hills Shire.
Dr Michelle Byrne MAYOR
