Mental health and wellbeing in focus

A SERIES of impactful events in Myrtleford this month will focus on mental health and wellness to foster awareness and provide practical tools for mental wellbeing across all ages. Mental Wellbeing Week will kick off in style at the Ablett Pavilion with the highly anticipated Mental Wellbeing Dinner on Saturday, 21 June, following the Wodonga Raiders game. The dinner will feature former Aussie Diamond netballer and AFLW Collingwood player Sharni Layton, who will share her inspiring journey through professional sports, shedding light on her struggles with mental health and the resilience she built along the way. “Having an elite athlete of Sharni's calibre speaking at our dinner is very exciting," MFNC wellbeing team chair, John Pryor said. "Our wellbeing team has been working on the message of destigmatising mental health issues and building resilience across all our community for the last five years and I think it's been getting better and better. "We started with our MFNC and built from there with a strong partnership with the local schools. "From grade prep to Year 12, we've been delivering a consistent message to build mental health literacy with our young people. "This year, the Rotary, Lions and RSL clubs of Myrtleford have been fantastic in supporting Mental Wellbeing Week and our other major supporter for the past five years, North East Civil Construction (NECC) has also done a fantastic job." NECC managing director, Glenn Clarke, said recent tragedies in the AFL have placed an even greater focus on mental health. "Anything our organisation can do to support the work of community groups like the Myrtleford FNC in addressing this issue is important," he said. As part of the week, Lance Picioane, an ex-AFL footballer, will speak to local schoolkids about mental fitness and battling mental health issues on Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 June. Wednesday will bring a unique opportunity to engage with First Nations wellness practices through a free Community Wellness Workshop facilitated by Lee Couch and Arkeria Rose Armstrong. The week will finish off with Dr Jodie Lowinger hosting a free community session at The Pavilion in Bright on Friday, 27 June from 6pm. "Mental wellbeing touches every part of our lives: our families, our workplaces and our wider community," Alpine Health’s chief executive officer, Rhys Gloury said. "This week is about creating the space for real conversations, practical support, and reminding people that help is available. "I’m proud that Alpine Health, together with our local partners, can play a role in bringing our community together to focus on something that matters to us all.” To book places at the Mental Wellbeing Dinner, visit: http://thq.fyi/se/ZGnNP_M For more information and to book for the Community Wellness Workshop, visit: https://events.humanitix.com/wellness-workshop-myrtleford

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