Community unites to chalk about mental health
Townsville’s key mental wellbeing and suicide prevention advocate organisations are joining forces to get the community ‘chalking’ about mental health.
Hit The Streets: Let’s Chalk About Mental Health will be held this Saturday, 5 September.
The event encourages people to write and draw their positive messages of hope and remembrance in chalk to raise awareness and start conversations around mental wellbeing and suicide prevention.
This year’s event is a collaboration between leading regional Queensland mental wellbeing, suicide prevention and NDIS services provider selectability, Townsville Suicide Prevention Network, Townsville Hospital and Health Service, Headspace Townsville and Team Townsville.
selectability Suicide Prevention Manager, Adriel Burley said it follows last year’s successful event, but that COVID-19 had led to some changes to how the event will run.
“The impact of the pandemic on our community’s collective mental health and the personal and financial stress it has caused to so many individuals makes this year’s event extremely important and timely,” he said.
“Due to COVID-19 we have moved the ‘chalking’ locations from public spaces, like The Strand and Castle Hill, and we’re asking people to get chalking in their own businesses, home driveways, or, with permission, at their schools or workplaces.”
Headspace Townsville Community Development Lead Nicky Thomas said Hit The Streets: Let’s Chalk About Mental Health is an inspiring initiative.
“This event is designed to encourage people to be creative and spread positive messages about mental health,” she said.
“It’s important in letting people know there is hope and support for anyone struggling with mental health and it shows that, as a community, we are tackling the stigma surrounding mental health.”
Those involved are asked to take a photo of their chalk creation and post it social media using the hashtags #HitTheStreets2020 and #LetsChalkAboutMentalHeath.
More information and updates are available on the Facebook event page - rebrand.ly/HitTheStreets2020
USEFUL LINKS
selectability acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we provide services and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge those with lived experience and those who support and partner with us to improve mental wellbeing and prevent suicide across regional Queensland.
