MHW 2014 a huge success!

This year's event was a huge success!

An estimated 10,000 people attended community events across the State during Mental Health Week in Western Australia.

Mental Health Week 2014 reached children, youth, families, workplaces, Indigenous Australians, mental health hospitals, and government, community and business leaders.

There were music concerts, art exhibitions, live theatre, comedy nights, quiz nights, movie screenings, workplace seminars, a CEO's Breakfast, the Youth Ball, sundowners, awards galore, stalls in shopping malls, health checks, charity walks, university events, laughter yoga, craft shows, mindfulness workshops and so much more!

Our official Opening Ceremony attracted around 2000 people who enjoyed live music, guest speakers and access to free mental health resources at the Rendezvous Hotel, Scarborough Beach on October 5.

His Majesty’s Theatre hosted its inaugural and sold out Stand Up! comedy show which drew more than 1000 people on October 4.

The annual Good Outcome Awards invited 250 mental health sector professionals and celebrated the outstanding contributions made by individuals and organisations to improving mental health outcomes in the community.

Nearly 120 of WA's senior leaders attended the CEO's Breakfast at Government House on World Mental Health Day and 100 people gathered for the WA premiere screening of Hidden Pictures.

Regional events occurred around WA from Albany, Esperance, Bunbury, Geraldton, Port Hedland, and Broome, to Narrogin, Beacon, Westonia, Narambeen, Koorda and Kalgoorlie.

Notably, our first Noongar-focused Mental Health Week event was held this year, thanks to the Looking Forward Project.

WAAMH received more than 1000 requests for Mental Health Week resources in 2014, and close to 100 agencies, including universities and schools hosted local community events and activities.

Thanks must go to the Mental Health Week Steering Committee who donated their time in the months leading up to the week and in the days during it. The steering group comprised of members from the Mental Health Commission, Meagan Shand from Ruah, Ernie Hansen from Mental Illness Fellowship WA, Arafmi, Richmond Fellowship WA, Act-Belong-Commit, Youth Focus, headspace, Consumers of Mental Health WA, Grow WA, Curtin University and WAAMH.

Support from our volunteers was overwhelming and greatly appreciated. Thanks to everyone who helped out at the Opening Ceremony and at the Murray Street Mall marquee.

Thanks to our 2014 sponsors and supporters: Mental Health Commission, Lotterywest, City of Stirling, Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority, Lifeline WA, MercyCare, Perth Central & East Metro Medicare Local, UnitingCare West, RFWA, Rise, Fuel Your Future - Diabetes WA, and Samaritans Crisis Line.

Thanks to the delightfully talented and equally gorgeous Mental Health Week Ambassador Amy Coombe who MC'd and spoke at numerous key events during the week. Amy is also available to speak at or host your next function. Go to Amy's website for more details: http://www.amycoombe.com/ 

Thanks to Storn Peterson from Enterprise 33, with his relaxed and approachable style, driving his ute to where it counted the most at many important events during Mental Health Week.

ABC TV and Radio ran the “Mental As” week of programming which significantly helped raise awareness around our Mental Health Week campaign and The West Australian’s Health and Medicine published a 24 page lift out focused on workplace mental health, which was very well received.

All the photos from Mental Health Week 2014 can be viewed on WAAMH's Flickr feed, here.

Concert photos courtesy of John Nettleton Photography.