Page 4396 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 25 October 2017
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hurtful and distressing. As the ACT Discrimination Commissioner noted, as allies and bystanders we can also do our bit to support those members of our community who may face discrimination in the course of their everyday lives. That is why the ACT government has committed additional mental health support for our LGBTIQ community during and onwards from the current debate.
As the first dedicated Minister for Mental Health in the ACT it was great to participate in a number of community events, including the “Stronger together” community concert which launched Mental Health Week. The concert featured local musicians and performers. I would like to thank Eleanor Ailie, Chris Endrey, Cappo, and Duncan Sargeant, who told their personal recovery stories through song.
I was also pleased to open a Spanish Speakers Association event which focused on art as therapy for mental health recovery. Art therapy provides people with mental illness a chance to express themselves in a safe and creative way, I would like to thank Carlos Torres and everyone from the Spanish Speakers Association for the invitation.
The week also celebrated World Mental Health Awareness day, and I was honoured to present the awards for Mental Health Week 2017. The awards recognise organisations and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the improvement of mental health and wellbeing in the ACT community. I want to congratulate those who received awards and all those who were nominated and thank them for their continuing dedication. In particular, I want to mention the following award winners: Catherine Campbell, winner of the promotion, prevention and early intervention award; Denis Strangman, winner of the mental health carer award; Lyn Lipovac, winner of the mental health consumer award; Joanne Smith, winner of the reciprocity award; and Sarah Shepherd and Jaqui Price, recipients of the Michael Firestone memorial scholarship.
I was also pleased to attend the mental health and wellbeing expo in Garema Place, which provided information about how to access the programs, supports and resources of local mental health and wellbeing organisations. There was a broad diversity of organisations there. It was great to see so many represented, everything from the recognised mental health services through to those providing yoga support and many other services that support our community.
I also acknowledge the Mental Health Foundation for their fundraising dinner and gala dinner. It was a terrific night, and I look forward to that continuing over future years.
All of this would not have been possible without the tremendous work invested in preparing and presenting all the Mental Health Week events. Of special note are Simone Viereck and the team at the Mental Health Community Coalition ACT, who organised and coordinated the week, as well as the ACT Mental Health Consumer Network, which helped organise the awards ceremony. I also acknowledge Genevieve Jacobs from ABC radio Canberra, who was the ACT Mental Health Week ambassador, for all of her efforts throughout the week.
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