October is Mental Health Month and to raise awareness around this important issue, Central Coast Council is running a range of mental health training workshops to upskill community leaders who are the "accidental counsellors" in our community.
These workshops will utilise technology to strengthen social networks and raise awareness around signs and symptoms of someone with a mental health issue.
The more 'safe places' there are in our community the better our quality of life will become, and it can all start in our town centres.
Over the past two years the Central Coast community has been hit with and continues to experience a number of disasters including floods, bushfires and Covid-19.
According to the Blackdog Institute, severe psychological distress is common after these types of catastrophic natural disasters. While most people eventually recover over time, a sizeable proportion will experience mental health problems in the months or even years after the initial event.
According to the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing, one in five (20%) Australians aged 16-85 will experience a mental disorder in one year and the Central Coast has consistently had one of the highest rates of suicide in comparison to other health districts across NSW.
Book in today to one of our FREE online workshops:
• Accidental Counsellor
Session 1 - Tuesday 18 October
Session 2 - Thursday 20 October
• Safe Talk
Tuesday 25 October
In addition to the workshops, Council will follow the progress of three local businesses during Mental Health Month with the help of a videographer. They will capture the story of three socially minded businesses and use it to celebrate Small Business Month in November.
