Mental Health Month recognised

By Jemma Jones

Oct 17, 2024

Students and community members convened at the Kyabram Memorial Gardens to celebrate World Mental Health Day part of the Campaspe Shire Mental Health Expo. Pictured are students Alyssa Watson, Mahli Cross, Stella Moss, Alsie-May Ralph and Sorella Mcintosh. Photo: Aidan Briggs Photo by Aidan Briggs

A well-attended Kyabram event aimed at breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and providing outlets for assistance was received with praise from the community.

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On Thursday, October 10, the Campaspe Shire Mental Health and Wellbeing Expo took over the Kyabram Memorial Gardens, welcoming community members, students and stallholders to raise awareness of the options on offer for mental health support in the community.

The event coincided with World Mental Health Day, offering a community-wide conversation about the importance of providing help to those in need.

The Campaspe Murray Mental Health and Wellbeing Network has held an event in October, Mental Health Month, for years, and this year was no different.

The expo aimed to shine a spotlight on mental health in the community and break down stigma across Campaspe Shire.

Last year the event was held in Echuca, and this year the network decided to hold the event in Kyabram to broaden its reach and ensure all Campaspe Shire residents were provided with the support they need.

Campaspe Shire Council chief executive Pauline Gordon said the expo showcased and promoted mental health support services available in the community.

“The event is a wonderful opportunity for networking among service providers, the community to see a presence of support in their community, and to understand what is available to them, and to provide information and resources to individuals, family or friends,” Ms Gordon said.

Community groups present at the event included Aldara Yenara Aboriginal Corporation, Kyabram District Health Service, Kyabram SES, Echuca Regional Health, headspace Echuca, Standby and more.

Ambulance Victoria representatives were also on hand, promoting their October ‘Shocktober’ campaign, which focuses on cardiac emergency awareness.

They ran a ‘Call, Push, Shock’ training session where attendees could learn how to save the life of a person experiencing a heart attack.

While the event was a one-day affair, it served as a powerful reminder that mental health is an ongoing concern for our community, and that encouraging support-seeking behaviour in ourselves and others is crucial for long-term wellbeing.

Ms Gordon said the Campaspe Murray Mental Health and Wellbeing Network would continue its work to share that message in future events across the shire.