Pittwater Life October 2019 Issue

Health & Wellbeing
Mental Health Month: Ho
Health & Wellbeing
October is Mental Health Month with the
theme of ‘Share The Journey’; it provides
an opportunity to shine a light on some of
the local activities and ideas that can have a
positive impact on both our own daily lives and
the lives of others. Compiled by Lisa Offord
Our community’s response
to help combat
mental health problems
and suicide has been phenomenal.
Over the past few years
we have witnessed a growing
number of professional and
not-for-profit services and
youth-led support groups
taking root to stem the tide
of mental health issues on the
northern beaches.
As we become more aware
of the impact of stress and
trauma, people from all walks
of life in our community are
signing up to courses and
training to learn about mental
health and how to provide
support.
A local group called TIPS
Community of Calm has been
encouraging and assisting
health and wellness practitioners
to become “trauma
informed” so they have the
awareness and skills to ensure
everyone who accesses their
services can feel safe, welcome
and accepted.
In just a few short months
almost 80 practitioners on
the northern beaches including
yoga teachers, breathing
experts, dance and movement
instructors, art therapists,
mindfulness practitioners,
nutritionists, play therapists,
counsellors, have attended the
Community of Calm’s training
sessions.
And it’s this chain of trauma-aware
practitioners who
are participating in the Northern
Beaches Arts For Wellness
project – a month-long event
showcasing creative arts and
other therapeutic approaches
for mental health wellness and
self-care.
Community of Calm Chair
counsellor and psychotherapist
Jane Macnaught explained
Arts For Wellness was an
invitation to the local community
to try creative, expressive
activities that help with stress
reduction, relaxation and
social connection.
“It is so important for everyone
to slow down a little and
find some creative outlets,” Ms
Macnaught said.
“The Arts for Wellness
Calendar is really exciting with
a great variety of activities for
people to try.”
During October – and
beyond – you can sample a
range of activities covering
Movement and Rhythm (think
all manner of yoga practices,
Nia, martial arts and breathing),
Mood Food and Natural
Health (info sessions by
naturopaths and nutritionists,
interactive workshops, talks
on the gut/brain connection);
Empathy and Being Heard
(Sidewalk Talks, soothing
sessions, and how to get past
negative self-talk and find the
best you) and Self Expression
and Being You (exploring anxiety
through Body Mapping,
Art Therapy, a taste of Life
Coaching, Journaling, Meditation
and Constellation work).
You can access the complete
program through the Commu-
42 OCTOBER 2019
The Local Voice Since 1991