It will partner with Edward River Council and Deniliquin Rotary and incorporate the launch into the Edward River Christmas Party and Carols by Candlelight event being held in the Deniliquin Waring Gardens that evening.
“It is the perfect event to launch what this funding is all about,” Deni MHAG chair Lyn Bond said.
Deni MHAG was successful in obtaining a grant of just over $160,000 from NSW Government, through Resilience NSW, earlier this year.
This forms part of the COVID-19 Community Connection and Wellbeing Program, which is aimed at connecting communities and building resilience.
“For several years, community events - which forms an important part of feeling socially connected, engaged and part of community - have been limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mrs Bond said.
“It has had a significant effect on people’s wellbeing and mental health, and for this reason Deni MHAG wanted to be proactive in this space to apply for funding.
“With a focus on wellbeing and resilience into the future, the project for this funding is based on the ‘5 Ways to Wellbeing’, which introduces people to five simple and effective ways to improve psychological and emotional health in lots of small day-to-day ways.
“It recognises the fact that we live in a time of significant stress, but despite this all people have strengths both inside themselves and in their environment, around them.
“The five ways to wellbeing focusses on activities that encourages people to connect, be active, keep learning, be aware and help others.”
Eight events or activities are planned as part of this project. This will include:
• A ‘Be Active’ day with a colour run, walk and cycle.
• A volunteer recognition day with a focus on groups people can join to aid their own wellbeing.
• A wellbeing day with a focus on the keep learning and be aware challenges, and participation in several wellbeing activities during the day.
• A music and art is for everyone project. This will be in the form of a come and try weekend experience for young people and adults in the winter school break.
• A regional mental health forum in October, during Mental Health Month.
Deni MHAG is developing a range of resources around wellbeing and mental health to be distributed at all events.
These will also be available to all community members at www.denimentalhealth.org.au.
“It is such an exciting time for us at Deni MHAG,” Deni MHAG member and project coordinator Lourene Liebenberg said.
“Joining in on the existing planned event by ERC and Rotary, and contributing the allocated funding for our launch event to these community events, means this can now be bigger and better with more things to participate in.
“It is a great opportunity to connect after a long year and to celebrate us as a community.”
• Anyone requiring crisis support can contact Accessline on 1800 800 944, Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14, BeyondBlue on 1300 224 636 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800. Resources and support information is also available at www.denimentalhealth.org.au.
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