IN recognition of Mental Health Month, held throughout October, local not-for-profit CHESS Connect hosted an interactive Community Wellbeing and Mental Fitness luncheon held at the Coffs Harbour Surf Club on Wednesday, 12 October.

Facilitated by CHESS Connect trainers Nicole Holland and Jen Hill, a diverse group of Coffs Harbour locals shared stories and experiences and learned practical strategies to support their mental health and wellbeing.

Advertise with News of The Area today.
It’s worth it for your business.
Message us.
Phone us – (02) 4981 8882.
Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au

Over a casual lunchtime session, participants learned about how stress presents and mechanisms for coping, growth mindset, positive self-talk and resilience, practical techniques for acting on personal wellness intentions and how to advocate for themselves and others and address mental health stigma.

Sharing well-researched techniques and tips to identify mental wellness concerns in ourselves and others we care about, and self-help strategies to make healthy, positive changes, the facilitators navigated the group through ways to get back up after feeling down.

Language, for example, can have a positive effect.

“Adding the word ‘yet’ to a sentence completely changes the meaning and gives a sense of intention,” said workshop facilitator Nicole Holland.

For example, “I can’t drive a car…yet” provides an opening for learning to drive sometime in the future.

Nicole said language can also have negative effects, as seen in the terminology behind the Covid restriction of ‘social distancing’.

“The language used during Covid has had a negative impact; saying ‘social distancing’ did a lot of damage to mental health.

“Humans don’t want to be socially distanced; we had to be physically distanced.

“We need to encourage social connection as people make a slower recovery from ill health when they’re socially isolated.

“Mental Health Month gives organisations like CHESS Connect a platform to share our knowledge and resources,” said Nicole.

“In October, communities are more alert and receptive to the messages of good health and wellbeing.

“We love to encourage this by bringing together community groups in interactive workshop events that promote mental fitness and educate and impart practical strategies that locals can apply in real life settings.”

The CHESS Connect team felt rewarded by the members of the Coffs Harbour community who attended the luncheon event and participated with questions and supportive suggestions to the group.

This community event was made possible by a small grant awarded to us by NSW Mental Health organisation WayAhead.

WayAhead coordinates mental health promotion activities, provides information and education for people living with a mental health condition, the public and health care professionals.

By Andrea FERRARI