An icare-backed mental-health initiative is set to visit Dubbo this World Mental Health Day.
Banksia Project will host its free Garden and Growth Room event at the Dubbo RSL on October 10, at 6:30-9pm, to provide participants with safe, easily accessible, and evidence-based education regarding mental health and issues around mental illness.
The event includes a panel of speakers, who have either lived an experience relating to mental health or are industry professionals. Those interested in attending the event are required to register.
“The Banksia Project provides a platform to build social connections and improve wellbeing for men living in regional NSW, so they establish a support system and feel more confident reaching out for help,” said Caroline Howe, icare’s general manager of community impact.
“The ‘Garden Room’ is a collaborative and constructive conversation where we focus on men’s health and mental health in rural communities,” said Jack Jones, Banksia Project’s project coordinator. “It is followed up by our ‘Growth Rooms’ services which enable local men to support one another, while also learning about mental health, wellness and resilience, and preventing illness.”
Howe noted that people in country areas of NSW face higher risks of social isolation due to limited social connections and an inadequate number of services available, and that rural suicide rates last year were more than 50% higher than in capital cities.
