Highlighting the importance of mental health concerns and addressing the stigma and misinformation takes centre stage every October. In alignment with World Mental Health Day on October 10th, the WA Association for Mental Health hosts the "WA Mental Health Week" annually.
For 2023, Mental Health Week took place between 7-14 October, with various activities taking place nationwide to raise awareness about mental health and well-being. The theme for this year's campaign is "Mind, Body, and Environment". With escalating economic stress and uncertainties in Australia, individuals and communities face mounting challenges, leading to a surge in mental health issues. In Australia, 20% of the population aged between 16 and 85 grapple with mental health concerns. 7.3% of adults in Western Australia experience significant or extreme psychological distress. Between 2018 and 2019, over 450,000 Western Australians required medication related to mental health conditions.
During WA Mental Health Week, Chung Wah Community Care (Chung Wah CC) collaborates with Ishar Multicultural Women's Health Services to organise "Mental Health" seminars at the Balcatta and Willetton Community Hubs. The aim is to enhance seniors' understanding of mental health. The interactive sessions delineate the differences between good and poor mental health and stress the significance of maintaining sound mental well-being. Mental health issues can impede an individual's cognitive functions, emotional processing, and social skills, potentially leading to conditions like depression and anxiety. The speaker emphasised the importance of seeking help from trusted individuals and consulting physicians when signs of depression and anxiety emerge. The interplay between the mind, body, and environment is pivotal to holistic health.
The sessions further delve into simple preventative measures for mental health grounded in the interrelation of mind, body, and environment. These encompass practices like meditation, maintaining a balanced diet and nutrition, ensuring adequate sleep, regular physical activity, and social interactions. Attendees left enriched with invaluable insights on mental health, expressing their appreciation with enthusiastic applause.
Chung Wah has been servicing the WA community since 1909, dedicated to improving the quality of life of individuals from diverse backgrounds. Moreover, Chung Wah CC has over 35 years of professional care experience helping seniors and people with disability improve their well-being and better integrate into the community. In 2023, we're promoting our theme, "Embrace, Elevate & Flourish", and aim to build a better community for all.
