Collaborating Partners

Healthy Parks, Healthy People —Department of Environment and Conservation
The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) manages more than 27 million hectares of national parks, marine parks, regional parks, State forests and other protected areas on behalf of all Western Australians. DEC’s Healthy Parks, Healthy People initiative aims to protect Western Australia’s natural areas while providing sites and activities to help people enjoy their parks and improve their physical, social and mental health.

Healthy Parks, Healthy People
Nearer to Nature

Keep Australia Beautiful WA (KAB)

Keep Australia Beautiful provides leadership in the field of litter prevention and reduction by helping to change the attitudes and behaviours of the community. KAB oversees programs relating to community education, enforcement, encouraging and rewarding sustainable behaviour change as well as strategic policy. Some of the ways to get help keep Australia beautiful include the :

Adopt-a-Spot Program

Interested in looking after the environment, and being physically active? The Adopt a Spot program encourages individuals, schools, community and business groups to adopt a spot to keep litter free. Litter bags, gloves and tools are provided and adopters receive an adoption certificate and are recognised on the Keep Australia Beautiful website Honours page.

http://www.kabc.wa.gov.au/content/category/5/61/151/

Litter Reporter Scheme

Individuals can register to become a litter reporter and report individuals who illegally dispose of rubbish from cars, boats or trailers. Litter reporters help KAB enforce litter laws and keep our environment clean.

http://www.kabc.wa.gov.au/content/category/4/31/72/

Tidy Towns Sustainable Communities Program

Every year, the Tidy Towns program rewards and recognises the commitment of regional communities who have worked to improve the appearance, culture and surrounding environment of their communities . The Tidy Towns’ program assesses projects undertaken from August to July each year and all regional communities are eligible to enter.

http://www.kabc.wa.gov.au/content/category/4/30/71/

More information about KAB programs and contact information can be found at www.kabc.wa.gov.au

Intework

Intework is a not for profit agency committed to working with people to develop and promote their aspirations and potential within the community. From finding a job to learning valuable life skills. http://www.intework.org/

Mental Health Council of Australia

Established in 1997, the Mental Health Council of Australia (MHCA) is the peak, national non-government organisation representing and promoting the interests of the Australian mental health sector, committed to achieving better mental health for all Australians.

MHCA aims to promote mentally healthy communities, educate Australians on mental health issues, conduct research into mental health issues, and reform Australia’s mental health system.

For more information visit www.mhca.org.au

KidsMatter

Successful schools start with healthy minds.

KidsMatter has been developed by four partners: Principals Australia, the Australian Psychological Society, beyondblue: the national depression initiative and the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.

KidsMatter provides schools with an over-arching but flexible approach to the mental health and wellbeing of students. It works on its own and as an umbrella under which other existing programs can comfortably fit. The KidsMatter way forward includes proven methods, resources and tools to support and help principals, teachers, parents and the wider community nurture happy, balanced kids.

A positive school community: A positive school community is the foundation of mental health and wellbeing and learning for children. It means that people feel that they belong and can contribute to something worthwhile.

Social and emotional learning: Social and emotional skills are key to how we understand and manage ourselves, relate to others, and know how to make responsible decisions. Kids can learn these in formal and informal ways: through programs and lessons, their day-to-day interactions with friends and adults, and simply by watching their teachers and family members.

Working with parents and carers: Parents and carers are the most important and influential people in children’s lives and they will often turn to teachers for information, advice and support about their children. Schools are hubs of the community. When teachers, schools and parents work well together, they will best support the children.

Helping children with mental health difficulties: Getting help and support early is crucial when children are experiencing social and emotional difficulties. Better outcomes for these children are more likely when school staff has a shared understanding and focus, and schools, health and community agencies work together with families.

For more information about KidsMatter in WA email: Satwinder.flora@pa.edu.au website: www.kidsmatterprimary.edu.au

Headspace Fremantle

headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation. We help young people who are going through a tough time. If you’re 12-25, you can get health advice, support and information from headspace. Fremantle headspace offers support and information for issues such as:

Mental health issues
General physical health
Sexual health
Family and Relationships
Drug and alcohol issues
Education and Training
Sexuality issues
Accommodation

headspace is a place you can go to talk to someone about any of these issues.

So if you have been:
Feeling depressed or anxious
Not sleeping well or sleeping too much
Finding it hard to concentrate
Wanting to cut down your drinking or drug use
Bullied, hurt or sexually harassed
Feeling like you’re not coping

Then come speak to our friendly and non-judgmental staff, which will treat you with respect-no matter what the issue is.

headspace was established and funded by the Commonwealth Government of Australia in 2006.

Our primary focus is the mental health and wellbeing of all Australians. We know that getting help early is the key to resolving these problems quickly. Headspace is making a difference where it is needed most - our young people.

Tel: 9335 6333, Fax: 9335 6933, email: info@fremantleheadspace.com.au
Located: 235 High St, Fremantle
www.fremantleheadspace.com.au

BLOOMING MINDS

Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid specialists.

Blooming Minds provides mental health and wellbeing training and consultancy services in Perth and throughout Western Australia.

MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID is the help provided to a person developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate professional treatment is received or until the crisis resolves. One in five Australian adults experience a mental health disorder every year and while people often know a lot about common physical health problems, there is widespread ignorance of mental health problems. This ignorance adds to stigmatising attitudes and prevents people from seeking help early and seeking the best sort of help. It also prevents people providing appropriate support to colleagues and family members, simply because they do not know how.

Blooming Minds programs develop mental health literacy in individuals and organisations by developing resiliency and equipping participants to recognise and respond to mental health issues in themselves and others. Contact Tasha Broomhall to discuss your group or organisations training needs on 08 6401 3499, info@bloomingminds.com.au or visit www.bloomingminds.com.au

GROW WA

GROW is a community for mental health and wellbeing and offers free mutual support groups to help people overcome problems. GROW began in Sydney, Australia, in 1957 when a number of former patients came together after hospitalization for mental illness to find their way back to normal living and happiness. The insights, attitudes and practical helps that assisted people to recover have been recorded in our 12 step program of growth to personal maturity.

Being an active member of GROW can help improve your personal value, provide you with a sense of belonging and can teach you how to be a better friend and nurture relationships. GROW can show you how participating in the community can make you feel useful and confident. You can develop a healthy self worth and be motivated to help others. Your breakdown can turn into a breakthrough!

Please contact GROW on our free-call number 1800 558 268 for details of a group in your area. More information is also available on our website at www.grow.net.au

Making Sense of Mental Health

The Mental Health Station is your first stop in Mental Health and Wellness Training, resources and information. We provide customized Mental Health First Aid Training for workplaces, organizations and Individuals as well as Stress Awareness Training and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. Regular community trainings are run in our centrally located centre or we can travel to you.

Our mission is to support you in creating a ‘culture of well-being’ where mental health is prioritized through prevention and early intervention. To educate in the foundations of mental health and wellness, and to consult with and provide a comprehensive data-base of mental health resources to make it easy to reach out and find help and connect with wellness activities.

Mental Health First Aid training teaches you how to support individuals who may be developing a mental problem, illness, or experiencing a mental health crises. A basic understanding of mental health is fundamental to the life skills needed for today’s society. Government departments, schools, workplaces, hospitals, community organizations and families are all now actively embracing Mental Health First Aid training.

MHFA is a 12-hour course, auspiced through the university of Melbourne that comes with an internationally recognized certificate and it’s own manual. A Master Trainer with extensive experience presents the MHS trainings. You can book both the Standard and Youth MHFA, e learning is also available. www.mentalhealthstation.org

St John of God Murdoch Community Mental Health

St John of God Health Care is Australia’s largest Catholic not-for-profit private healthcare group providing 14 hospitals located in Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and New Zealand, as well as pathology services across Western Australia and Victoria. We base our holistic care on the Christian values of Hospitality, Compassion, Respect, Justice and Excellence.

In 2004, St John of God Murdoch Hospital began funding a Community Mental Health Service to offer accessible and low/no cost services for vulnerable population groups. In the first year 250 clients with anxiety and depression were seen. By 2010 the service had expanded and had 363 new clients. In total 2,600 clients from across the south metropolitan area of Perth have now accessed counselling. Our services are supported by guiding principles that keep us focused on our mission. We aim to develop innovative programs and services that effectively focus on the underlying causes of health and /or wellbeing issues and that provide opportunities for all involved to increase their confidence and experience a greater sense of their own dignity. We try to remove barriers to access such as cultural, stigma or geographic factors as well removing the capacity to pay as an issue by offering services at no charge or at minimal cost. By creating partnerships of trust with other agencies, we can help to improve outcomes for people and assist with sustainable resourcing. As an ongoing commitment, we continue to look for opportunities to develop new initiatives where there is unmet need.

Community Mental Health programs and initiatives delivered or supported by St John of God Murdoch Hospital are:

• Ferns House Counselling Service
• Hands on Health at St Patricks Community Support Centre
• Noongar Rangers Primary School-based Program
• Intake Triage Coordinator at Fremantle headspace
• Social & Emotional Well Being Workers based at South Lake Ottey
•Family and Neighbourhood Centre and the City of Cockburn Youth Centre

For more information you can contact St John of God Murdoch Community Mental Health on 6226 9400 or visit http://www.sjog.org.au/hospitals/murdoch_hospital/outreach/community_mental_health.aspx

ConnectGroups – Support Groups Association WA

ConnectGroups – Support Groups Association WA is the peak body for support and self-help groups across WA since 1983.

Our mission is “To promote the philosophy, concept and practice of self-help within Western Australia and to facilitate its development and effectiveness by educating, linking, and empowering individuals, families, and groups to meet their specific needs.”

ConnectGroups is a consumer driven organisation whose activities are directed by the needs of its members. As a peak body we note that a large proportion of our diverse member groups have an overarching mental health focus. However, regardless of their focus all member groups are based on the understanding that a “healthy mind” is fundamental to all recovery. We respond to this awareness by ensuring that we have a comprehensive understanding of WA mental health sector and current salient issues impacting on people living with a mental illness.

These issues include:
• Challenges coping with mental illness
• Feelings of isolation
• Problems with friendships/family
• Carer fatigue/burnout
• Social stigma
• Undiagnosed and untreated co-morbidity conditions
• Parenting and custody issues
• A lack of on-going, affordable services post crisis intervention
• Economic and social disadvantage
• An elevated risk of contact with the justice system
• A lack of culturally relevant services for Aboriginal and CALD mental health consumers
• Limited services for mental health consumers in rural/remote areas
• Barriers regarding access to services for consumers.

ConnectGroups’ services have expanded to include brokering, training, advocating, moderating, research and problem-solving for our client base. ConnectGroups is a “one stop shop” which ensures that the voice of support and self-help group members is heard and that their needs are met.

http://www.connectgroups.org.au/

Volunteering WA
Interested in trying something new?
Why not give back to your community through volunteering? Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, gain new skills, and even help you to find a new job. Check out our website for more information about the volunteering positions that are available near you!

Volunteering WA

The School Volunteer Program
Mentors with the School Volunteer Program (SVP) give an hour of their time to school students each week and are making a difference in the lives of young people. Each week members of the local community enter their school community and offer friendship, support and a listening ear through this one-to-one contact. It’s a relationship in which the student benefits just as much as the mentor.

The School Volunteer Program

Goodcompany
Are you a professional with limited time?
Goodcompany makes volunteering easy by matching skilled professionals with community group needs. Skilled volunteers reduce costs and increase capacity, allowing community groups to do more of what they do, and to do it better. Start giving something back today and register as a goodcompany skilled volunteer.

Goodcompany

Fortescue Metals Group
Established in 2003, Fortescue Metals Group has fast become one of the world’s leading producers of iron ore. Fortescue’s two mines, 300 kilometre railway and deepwater, multi-user port are located in the heart of the Pilbara region of Western Australia – the world’s best address for iron ore. More than 100 million tonnes of iron ore have been mined, processed and exported in less than three years and plans are in place to triple production by 2014.

Fortescue is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace and has recently become the first act-belong-commit corporate partner. All Health and Wellness activities will be branded with the Act-Belong-Commit message to remind everyone that by participating they are positively contributing to their mental health.

For more information visit www.fmgl.com.au or contact Leanne Gledich on (08) 6218 8591 or email lgledich@fmgl.com.au.

Inspire Foundation
Inspire is an Australian non-profit organisation established in 1996 with a mission to help young people lead happier lives. By combining the power of technology with the face-to-face involvement of young people, our programs - www.reachout.com.au and www.actnow.com.au - help young people understand and mange their feelings, gain confidence to seek help, and become more connected to their communities. For more information, please visit us at www.inspire.org.au

Rural Youth WA

Rural Youth W.A. (RYWA) is a social network offering local, state, national and international contacts. Rural Youth takes the social network seriously. It is easy in difficult rural times to feel disconnected and isolated. Friendship networks expand the listeners in our lives and provide a vehicle for exploring new experiences and ideas. We have a number clubs plus a wide network of “lone members” throughout the state. Clubs presently in Bruce Rock, Esperance, Katanning and Perth.

• Members receive Interact eMagazine four times a year.
• Email is an additional information source to those with access.
• Members have access to Trip Selection for study tours.
• Members are able to represent their club at State Executive and nominate for office bearer and portfolio positions in RYWA.
• Membership gives an opportunity to have a go at a range of things, broaden one’s social network, plug in to expanded choices and experiences and contribute to the community locally, State-wide and beyond.\

Contact Details
Email: admin@ruralyouthwa.org.au
Website: www.ruralyouthwa.org.au_ Phone: 08 9079 2009

Department of Sport and Recreation
The Department of Sport and Recreation is the lead agency responsible for the implementation of government policy and initiatives in sport and recreation. A key role of the department is to contribute to the healthy lifestyle of Western Australians by increasing physical activity in the community through sport and recreation.

Find a sport and recreation club in your local area.

Surf Life Saving WA
Surf Life Saving in Western Australia is a volunteer based not-for-profit community service association, providing an essential educational and emergency rescue service to all users of West Australian beaches. Surf Life Saving Western Australia comprises of a state centre, 28 clubs strategically located around the coastline and 14, 521 members who all share the vision: ‘Saving Lives and Building Great Communities.’

Surf Life Saving Western Australia is the key agency for beach safety and a vital community service playing a fundamental role in building healthy communities. Our activities address many community issues and government policies such as obesity, physical activity, youth development, safer communities, training and education, and family.

Surf Life Saving WA

The Western Australian Sports Federation
The Western Australian Sports Federation (WASF) is the independent, peak industry body for sport and active recreation in Western Australia. It comprises in excess of 120 State Sports Associations and related organisations, extending to over 600,000 people.

Discover the range of sport and active recreation opportunities available to you and hear about the latest WA news and events

Heart Foundation Walking
The Heart Foundation Walking program aims to promote and engage Australians in physical activity. Heart Foundation Walking groups are free community-based walking groups led by volunteer Walk Organisers, and are suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. The program helps members to stay motivated by providing a friendly, safe, social environment, as well as a walker recognition scheme offering incentives at various milestones such as 25 walks.

Every walking group is different - they vary in the number of members, and levels of difficulty and meet at a variety of times and days of the week. Everyone is encouraged to walk at their own pace. For more information or find your local group visit www.heartfoundation.org.au/walking

The Square Dance Society of Western Australia
The Square Dance Society of Western Australia (SDSWA) is the central body for all Western Australian Square Dancers. There are 23 clubs in Western Australia with several hundred members between them. Most of these clubs dance weekly, a couple dance fortnightly, one club dances four nights per week offering three different levels of square dancing on different nights. Most clubs hold regular social events and annual functions. The Square Dance Society of WA and individual clubs run Beginner’s Classes and demonstrations of Square Dancing from time to time. The SDSWA also incorporates Round Dance and Clogging Clubs. Square Dancing offers the community the opportunity to enjoy the company of many other people in a friendly, non competitive atmosphere and to participate in light exercise of mind and body. Dancers learn a number of steps, after which they can dance at any club in groups of eight where they will respond to random calls by a caller. The random calls can be any of the previously learned steps in any order. Single dancers are welcome as there is no need to learn or to dance with a regular partner. Our website lists our clubs, their location, when they meet, what level of Square Dance they offer, contact names and phone numbers. [http://squaredance.org. Our beginners web links are at <http://squaredance.org.au/Associati...]

Foodbank WA
Foodbank is a non-denominational, charitable organisation which sources donated and surplus food from the food and grocery industry to distribute to welfare and community agencies that provide food assistance to people in need. The Foodbank WA network extends from the state head office in Perth into regional centres in Albany, Bunbury, Geraldton and Mandurah. Foodbank Western Australia is a member of a national group of affiliated Foodbanks which includes operations in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria.

Injury Control Council of Western Australia (ICCWA) The Injury Control Council of WA is the peak non-government not for profit organisation involved in injury prevention and promotion of community safety. Incorporated in 1992, ICCWA’s mission is to reduce incidence of injuries and their effects by representation, research, education, publicity and promotion of safe practices. A principal aim is to facilitate liaison between community agencies and groups, and to work closely with government departments to improve communications between these sectors and to suppport research in the area of injury prevention. ICCWA’s programs include: falls prevention; community safety and violence prevention; building resilience for suicide prevention; Aboriginal cultural connection; building capacity of professionals in injury prevention; and alcohol-related injury prevention, research and advocacy. Contact the City West office by phoning (08) 9420 7212 or visit www.iccwa.org.au

Relationships Australia
Relationships Australia is a community-based, not-for-profit organisation with no religious affiliation. We are available to everyone regardless of age, race, gender or sexual preference and provide relationship services and support programs for individuals, couple and families.

Relationships Australia

The Department of Transport
The Department of Transport (DoT) is the key government agency responsible for keeping our transport system working efficiently. School trips, being generally short, are particularly suitable to utilising alternatives to the car. However, on an average school day more than one in five cars on the road during the morning peak hour in Perth are involved in ferrying children to school. The. DoT’s TravelSmart to School and Walking School Bus programs aim to decrease solo car trips and increase sustainable and active forms of transport like walking, cycling and public transport. Both these programs offer positive opportunities for local residents to engage with their school community and to help their local schools work towards healthier, safer and more sustainable neighbourhoods.

TravelSmart to School takes a whole-school approach to reducing the number of car trips to school. A key feature of the TravelSmart to School program is the TravelSmart Team. This team is a group of enthusiastic students, teachers and parents who work together to increase walking and cycling to school. The TravelSmart Team creates and implements an action plan based upon the problems, issues and opportunities identified locally.

The Walking School Bus is a component of the TravelSmart to School program. A Walking School Bus is a group of students with adult volunteer supervision walking along a set route between home and school. Walking School Buses are a safe, easy and fun means of travelling to school. Walking School Buses operate as often as the group of volunteers wants and there must be two trained volunteers with each Walking School Bus route.

www.transport.wa.gov.au/trav...

www.transport.wa.gov.au/walk...

Farmsafe WA Alliance

Farmsafe WA Alliance is an independent, not-for-profit, non-government organisation encouraging and leading the way to safer farming. In partnership with the farming community, Farmsafe WA’s mission is to identify health and safety issues, provide knowledge and motivation to develop strategies and help find solutions for improved work practices and lifestyles.

Community workshops are a strategy which Farmsafe WA often employ to deliver farm health and safety information. These workshops are not only a great way to expand your knowledge, but a good reason to get together with other community members.

The organisation consists of a committee which includes farmers, community members and industry groups, as well as a widespread membership base. Members of Farmsafe WA receive a monthly eNews, regular updates and access to the members section of the website as well as many other benefits. The members section of the website is a space where members can interact with one another and contains Farmsafe WA’s OHS Audit Tool, an interactive web-based application which includes legislative requirements and best practice options for high risk areas.

If you would like to become a member of Farmsafe WA, join the committee, stay up to date with the projects we are running or attend a workshop, please contact us or visit the Farmsafe WA website.

Phone: 9359 4118
Email: admin@farmsafewa.org
Website: www.farmsafewa.org