Category Archives: Support

Vic Health Update 1 February 2024

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2024, here we come! 

Since our very first day we’ve been advocating for good health for all Victorians. 37 years on and our goal is still the same.

Here’s an overview of (some of) the work we’re doing this year and what you can expect to hear about from us over the next 12 months. 

Future Healthy programs 

Not only do we believe all young people deserve a future that is healthy, but we also think they should help shape what that future actually looks like. This idea lives at the core of all our Future Healthy initiatives and is the reason so many of our programs are self-determined by young people. 

Illustration of a red speech bubble with bright yellow hands shaking.
Illustration of a blue speech bubble with a pink tennis ball inside.
Illustration of a dark green speech bubble with a bright green apple inside.

Future Reset 

This year will have a strong focus on highlighting mental health literacy. 

As we continue to work with our arts partners to enhance mental wellbeing and social connection through building meaningful and inclusive environments.

Future Active

Co-designing safe, inclusive and welcoming space for young people remains our top priority.

Together with Reclink we will continue to utilise underused spaces in the community to encourage more young people to be physically active.

Food Hubs 

This year our food hub partners will continue to empower the next generation to learn about the food system and how they can mobilise their communities to transform their local areas. 

Celebrating diverse food cultures and social connection will also remain a focus in this space. 

TheMHS Forum 2024 Connecting with People

DON’T MISS OUT ON THE EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT!

TheMHS Forum 2024 program will explore the tensions, barriers, solutions, and remaining challenges in developing a mental health system that is inclusive of the full context in which a person lives their life.

With outstanding featured speakers drawn from Australasia and beyond, TheMHS Forum 2024 is not to be missed! Register now to receive our Early Bird Discount, only for a limited time!

Register Now!

Hamper Donation Request – Headspace Bentleigh

 

Hi everyone,

The holiday season is almost here and for the 3rd year in a row headspace is organising a Hamper drive, with the aim of putting a smile on the faces of those young people and families doing it tough.

We are currently seeking donations. If you, your team or your family/friends would like to assist us with this great cause, please let us know! Every parcel is different, so donations can be small or large; every little bit goes a long way!

Here are some suggestions as a guide of what you could donate:

  • Non-perishable food and non-alcoholic drinks,
  • Art supplies,
  • Essential toiletries
  • Self-care items (e.g., journals, candles)
  • Small clothing items (e.g., socks, beanies, hats)
  • Sensory items
  • Vouchers
  • Anything that screams, “This will make someone’s day!”

Our goal is to provide 40 hampers to young people accessing headspace Early Psychosis services!

We can come and collect any items you are willing to donate, or you could drop them into the headspace Bentleigh centre located on the Ground Floor at 973 Nepean Hwy, Bentleigh 3204. We are open business hours Monday- Friday.

 Our request is three-fold:

  1. Next time you are shopping, please consider purchasing a couple of additional items to kindly donate to this Hamper drive;
  2. Please share the attached Hamper Donation Request Letter with your local networks; and
  3. If you follow @headspace_bentleigh on Instagram, please share our two pinned headspace holiday hamper posts on your own platforms.

We will be collecting donations until Monday 11 December, so please get your Santa hat on and encourage everyone to get into the holiday spirit.

Let’s try and make this holiday season unforgettable, not just for us but for those who need it most.

Kind regards,

mia mcculloch
senior administration officer
early psychosis hBentleigh

Pronouns she/her

E mia.mcculloch@alfred.org.au
T 03 9076 9400

F 03 9076 9444
headspace.org.au

A Path to Follow

An invitation from Kirstie Edwards, Founding Director, A Path To Follow

I am looking to begin a parent/carer group for those who care for young people with mental health related life challenges in the coming weeks.

This will be a combination of casual meets up with liked minded people, alongside internally and externally facilitated sessions where we provide mental health related education and trial some self-care related activities that are available to community.

If you know of someone who might be interested, please copy and paste the below blurb and email to them.  We will follow up all interest personally to ensure the group is a good fit for the person and the person for the group.

Parent/Carer Group Expression of Interest

Are you a parent/carer of a young people with mental health related life challenges?

Do you sometimes feel isolated and alone in navigating their world?

Do you feel you could benefit from sharing time with other people like you?

Are you open to try new strategies and activities to support yourself?

Finally, do you live locally to Bentleigh or would be willing to travel there on a fortnightly basis?

 If you answered yes to more than a couple of these questions, it would be great to meet you!!  Please feel out a couple of questions for us to get the ball rolling (link below).

Don’t worry too much about the finer details at this stage, like is my child too old at 20 years? I am a nana or a foster carer, do I fit this group? One of our A Path To Follow Peers will be in contact with you to personally discuss your preferences.

With thanks,

Kirstie Edwards
Founding Director
A Path To Follow
0478 310 145
Inc. No. A0118403G

APTF Inc. acknowledges, respects and celebrates the diverse living and lived experiences of our Consumer, Carer and Sibling Peers. We recognise our individual and collective experiences of mental ill-health and wellbeing and are determined to use this expertise for the benefit of our future community

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Inner South Family and Friends End of Year Dinner

VENUE: TACCO AND TOSCA, 130 ERSKINE STREET MIDDLE PARK
DATE AND TIME: TUESDAY 12 DECEMBER 2023 AT 6.30PM

Bookings close 5pm Thursday 7 December.   Ample free parking is available in Erskine St.                        

How to book for dinner

  • Deposit $14 for pensioners or $28 for non-pensioners to Westpac, ISFAF Community Account, BSB 033169   A/c No:  258307  by Thursday 7 December 2023.  Please ensure that your deposit shows your name.
  • Email confirmation to isfaf@alfred.org.au. In this email, please include name and phone number of each individual attending (preferably mobile).
  • Choice of main course for each personChicken scallopini with mushroom sauce
    Ravioli vegetariani alla sorrentina (can have GF $5 extra)
    Pesce del giorno alla Contadina (baked with potatoes, cherry tomatoes, olives – GF, vegetarian)

    If you have any special dietary needs you must also let us know your specific needs in your email.

Tacco and Tosca Restaurant is considered a gourmet restaurant. We thank AMAH for a significant grant which enables this meal to be highly subsidised. Food will be cooked specifically for us on the night.  We are a big group. To assist the chef, we must advise the restaurant of our main course by Friday.  Drinks other than tap water are to be ordered and paid for by individuals.

Confirmation of booking will be emailed to individuals whose deposits show up in ISFAF account and who have emailed isfaf@alfred.org.au with their menu choice.

Tandem eNews 25 October 2023

Excerpts from Tandem’s October eNews

Tandem produces a monthly email newsletter, eNews, with news and information for our members. Join Tandem to subscribe.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Act Resources

Stay up-to-date on the latest information on the new Mental Health and Wellbeing Act on our . Resources include videos, fact sheets, web content and links to useful documents on the new Act. We have also developed a poster and a postcard on the Act, which you can download and .

Tandem’s AGM

The Tandem AGM is coming up Thursday 9 November, for any of our members who would like to attend in-person or online. For the agenda and minutes from last year’s AGM, please head to our .

When: 10:00am – 11:00am Thursday 9 November
Where: The Tandem office, 70 Trenerry Crescent, Abbotsford. Or online.
Online details:

Meeting ID: 810 8404 6170