WA Mental Health Week Opening Event in Esperance

On Friday 6 October 2023, the Western Australian Association for Mental Health and Escare will host the official WA Mental Health Week Opening Event at the Museum Reserve in Esperance.

The free community event is open to everyone and promotes positive mental health in a fun atmosphere featuring live entertainment, free food, and free activities such as drumming, art making, and bouncy castle between 10am and 2pm.

Image: Western Australia Mental Health Week event in Esperance in 2022.  Megs from Escare is pictured far right.  Image courtesy of Escare Incorporated.

Megs from Escare said the event encourages people to come and try new activities which are run by local community services and allows for casual discussions about mental health and wellbeing.

"Thanks to our dedicated volunteers and generous sponsorships, we can host an entirely free community event that invites people to explore new experiences. This includes engaging in mindfulness activities facilitated by local services and groups, fostering connections, and promoting meaningful discussions about our services. Instead of relying solely on brochures, we create opportunities for genuine interaction." Megs said.

Image: Free art activities during the WA Mental Health Week event in Esperance in 2022. Image courtesy of Escare Incorporated.

Now in its sixth year, this local event has far-reaching support from over twenty-five partners, including its 2023 key partner – Western Australian Association for Mental Health (WAAMH). 

“To support the community of Esperance in their collective effort to strengthen mental health, we chose to partner with Escare and make this event a feature of WA Mental Health Week as the official opening event.

“It’s inspiring to see how creative and resourceful people like Megan are, to promote positive mental health, which is a critical public health issue for regional Western Australia.  It also brings attention to the importance of investing in mental health services for healthy and thriving communities.” Taryn said. 

Image: Free community activities during WA Mental Health Week event in Esperance in 2022. Image courtesy of Escare Incorporated.

With just over 13,000 people living in Esperance, the Shire has one of the lowest population densities to be found anywhere.  While there are limited opportunities for social connection, free community events such as WA Mental Health Week Grand Opening provide opportunities to bring the community together in a fun and engaging event, but also connect them to mental health supports.

Image: Free community activities during WA Mental Health Week event in Esperance in 2022. Image courtesy of Escare Incorporated.

The organisations who provided support either financial or in kind include ALO, Bega, BOICO, Civic Centre, Cariads, Centrecare, CPC, Dodgy Bros Dodgeball, Dempster Sporting, ECA and services, Esperance Care Services, Escare, Esperance Community Mental Health, Esperance Public Library, Headspace / hope, LifeSPAN, Mates 4 Mates, NDIS, New Moon Van, Shire of Esperance, Southern Ports, Sportspower, Realise ability, and WAAMH.

Contacts

Taryn Harvey, WAAMH CEO
Email: THarvey@waamh.org.au
Phone: 0488 661 277

Megs Sims, Escare, Family and Community Worker
Email: megs@escare.org.au
Phone: 0488 713 110