Getting it out there
Christine Karanges stamps bags with butterfly symbol
A road-to-recovery information kit has been developed to help Gold Coast people with mental health issues access relevant support services.
The Get It Out There kit will be distributed through medical centres, pharmacies, service agencies and mental health workers.
It is one of six key projects developed by Activate Your Voice, an innovative communications program that aims to show the broader Gold Coast community the valuable contributions people with a mental illness make to society.
Activate Your Voice is boosting their skills and confidence of people affected by mental health issues, enabling them to develop and take ownership of their self-generated projects.
Christine Karanges, of Surfers Paradise, who has experienced mental illness over many years, came up with the Get It Out There concept during a group ideas session.
“It can be difficult for the general public to find out where to go to get the help they need to address all sorts of health issues,” Christine said. “From experience, this is especially challenging for people who are in dark places, who are anxious or confused. Too often, people, are embarrassed to ask.
“I envisaged a grab bag of information about broad support services that doctors or pharmacists can give discreetly to people with mental health issues. While the bags are plain so as not to draw attention, they are stamped with a butterfly which has been embraced as the symbol for mental health awareness.”
About 1000 Get It Out There kits have been produced with cooperation from the agencies supporting the project. Thanks also to volunteers from the Bloke's Lounge who helped pack the bags.
Activate Your Voice participants meet fortnightly to progress their work, share ideas and assist each other with support from a facilitator. “We are everyday people advocating for better understanding of mental health issues,” Christine said.
The Get It Out There kit will be distributed through medical centres, pharmacies, service agencies and mental health workers.
It is one of six key projects developed by Activate Your Voice, an innovative communications program that aims to show the broader Gold Coast community the valuable contributions people with a mental illness make to society.
Activate Your Voice is boosting their skills and confidence of people affected by mental health issues, enabling them to develop and take ownership of their self-generated projects.
Christine Karanges, of Surfers Paradise, who has experienced mental illness over many years, came up with the Get It Out There concept during a group ideas session.
“It can be difficult for the general public to find out where to go to get the help they need to address all sorts of health issues,” Christine said. “From experience, this is especially challenging for people who are in dark places, who are anxious or confused. Too often, people, are embarrassed to ask.
“I envisaged a grab bag of information about broad support services that doctors or pharmacists can give discreetly to people with mental health issues. While the bags are plain so as not to draw attention, they are stamped with a butterfly which has been embraced as the symbol for mental health awareness.”
About 1000 Get It Out There kits have been produced with cooperation from the agencies supporting the project. Thanks also to volunteers from the Bloke's Lounge who helped pack the bags.
Activate Your Voice participants meet fortnightly to progress their work, share ideas and assist each other with support from a facilitator. “We are everyday people advocating for better understanding of mental health issues,” Christine said.
Bloke's Lounge volunteers Ruben Scicluna - always playing up for the camera! - Roger Crook and Gwyn Roberts
Activate Your Voice emerged from the successful Voicebox project, which gave people their skills to tell their stories through art, music and videos. Both are conducted under the federally funded Partners in Recovery program, which uses a holistic approach to connect people experiencing severe and persistent mental illness, and their carers and families, with the services and supports they need.
Other projects include:
Equal Pieces in the Puzzle – Art workshops, in the lead up to the Wellness Festival, producing an interactive jigsaw-type puzzle to show how people fit in to society and come together as one.
U R OK – postcard and bookmarks with positive messages targeting primary school pupils distributed to all Gold Coast libraries early in June.
The Wellness Space – a pop-up interactive space where people can experience alternative therapies, relaxation, meditation and talking circles. The vision is to have The Wellness Space permanently on the Gold Coast.
We’re here, we’re ready: give us a go – Desktop calendars promoting employment inclusiveness targeting employment service providers and human resource departments with the key message: “Mental illness doesn’t discriminate … do you?”
Activate Your Voice Facebook site – a group site to connect participants and act as a conduit to share information, tips and lived experiences.
All projects will come to fruition by Mental Health Week in October.
For more information:
pir@gcphn.com.au | www.myMINDgc.com | www.pirgoldcoast.com
Bloke's Lounge
Other projects include:
Equal Pieces in the Puzzle – Art workshops, in the lead up to the Wellness Festival, producing an interactive jigsaw-type puzzle to show how people fit in to society and come together as one.
U R OK – postcard and bookmarks with positive messages targeting primary school pupils distributed to all Gold Coast libraries early in June.
The Wellness Space – a pop-up interactive space where people can experience alternative therapies, relaxation, meditation and talking circles. The vision is to have The Wellness Space permanently on the Gold Coast.
We’re here, we’re ready: give us a go – Desktop calendars promoting employment inclusiveness targeting employment service providers and human resource departments with the key message: “Mental illness doesn’t discriminate … do you?”
Activate Your Voice Facebook site – a group site to connect participants and act as a conduit to share information, tips and lived experiences.
All projects will come to fruition by Mental Health Week in October.
For more information:
pir@gcphn.com.au | www.myMINDgc.com | www.pirgoldcoast.com
Bloke's Lounge
