Ally Kelly, Author at Mind Blank

The Importance of Early intervention and Prevention

Ally Kelly — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 01:33:22 +0000

October 11, 2024

Statistics show that 42% of people aged 16-85 years has experienced a mental disorder at some time in their life. More than two in five Australians experience a mental health issue in their lifetime.

Conversations around mental health is the need of the hour. Stigmas and taboos around the topic have shrouded it so much that fear of judgement from others acts as a barrier that prevents people from seeking help for mental health difficulties.

Attitudes and our ability to intervene early and support people must be prioritised.

Every year in Australia suicide claims the lives of around 2000 Australians placing it ahead of road traffic accidents and skin cancer as a cause of death. For young people aged 15 to 24, it is the number one cause of death.

According to research suicide exists on a continuum which begins with suicide ideation and ends with death by suicide. It means that people who have attempted suicide have experienced suicidal ideation that eventually leads up to the attempt.

It brings us to the need to get better at identification of suicidal ideation early on and intervention at this lower end of the continuum which would further lead to fewer suicide attempts and fewer suicide deaths 

What is suicidal ideation?

Suicidal ideation refers to a range of thoughts and plans about ending one’s life. The imagination exists on a spectrum, from a general desire to die without a specific plan to a detailed plan with a strong intention to act. This thinking is linked to both suicide attempts and deaths, and it is a significant risk factor for future attempts.

To bring an analogy if the action of committing suicide is the tip of the iceberg, suicide ideation is the unseen whole of the iceberg.

How to identify suicide ideation?

First thing first, it is important that we need to adopt effective listening, which can be achieved by practicing mindful listening. Whereby, we listen with an ear of empathy without judgements and listen with our hearts.

Some of the warning signs to watch out for:

Notice if they are talking about wanting to die, showing a great sense of guilt or shame or apologetic being a burden to others, hindering on their worthlessness.

It is also very important to notice if they are showing feelings of emptiness, being hopeless and showing extreme emotions like being sad. More anxious, agitated and full of rage.

Make efforts to identify change in behaviours such as-

Planning or researching ways to die.
Withdrawing from friends, saying goodbye, giving away important items, or making a will.
Taking dangerous risks such as driving extremely fast.
Displaying extreme mood swings.
Eating or sleeping more or less
Using drugs or alcohol more often.

Identifying such behaviours can be high beneficial on early intervention as it is crucial in preventing suicide because it helps to address the underlying issues before they escalate.

Recognising warning signs and acting promptly can lead to immediate support and treatment, which can reduce emotional distress and provide individuals with alternative coping strategies.

Early intervention often connects people with mental health resources, reducing feelings of isolation and hopelessness. By intervening early, it increases the chances of recovery, helps build protective factors, and minimizes the risk of a crisis turning into an irreversible tragedy.

Take Action to Support Mental Health with Mind Blank

At Mind Blank, we believe that early intervention and prevention are crucial in addressing mental health challenges. If you’re passionate about making a difference or need resources to support someone who may be struggling, we’re here to help.

Reach out to Mind Blank to learn more about how you can get involved in raising awareness and building skills to contribute to our mission of reducing the risk of suicide and promoting mental wellbeing.

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Understanding Depression: Signs, Symptoms and How to Help

Ally Kelly — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 13:31:31 +0000

September 4, 2024

Depression is more common than many people realise. It’s not just about feeling sad after a bad day — it’s a persistent condition that can make everyday tasks feel overwhelming and life feel unmanageable.

At Mind Blank, we recognise the profound impact depression can have on individuals and communities. It’s our mission to educate and empower people to address this challenge head-on.

This blog explores what depression is, the signs to look out for, and how we can support those struggling with it.

What is depression?

Depression isn’t just a passing mood; it’s a serious mental health condition that affects how you feel, think, and handle daily activities. It can alter your perception of yourself, your relationships, and the world around you.

While everyone experiences sadness or low moments, depression is more intense and lasts longer. It can feel like a heavy weight that doesn’t lift, making even the simplest tasks feel impossible. Without proper care and attention, depression can worsen, leading to a significant decline in overall wellbeing.

Recognising the signs of depression

Depression manifests differently for everyone, but here are some common signs:

Loss of Interest: You may lose interest in activities you once enjoyed, finding no pleasure in them anymore.
Sleep Problems and Fatigue: Constant exhaustion and trouble sleeping or oversleeping are common.
Appetite or Weight Changes: Significant changes in appetite or weight, either up or down.
Difficulty Concentrating: Depression can make it hard to focus, make decisions, or remember things.
Physical Aches and Pains: Unexplained aches, such as headaches or back pain.
Thoughts of Death or Suicide: One of the most severe symptoms of depression is frequent thoughts about death or suicide, which need immediate attention.

It’s important to remember that not everyone will experience all these symptoms, and some might even hide their struggles, appearing fine on the outside while suffering internally.

Depression in the workplace

As a manager, knowing how to support employees who may be experiencing depression is crucial for fostering a healthy work environment. Mental health challenges don’t just stay at home — they often spill into the workplace, affecting performance, relationships, and overall team morale.

Here are some of our top tips:

Tip 1: Initiate an open conversation. Create a safe space for employees to share their experiences. Collaborate to adjust aspects of the role that can provide the support they need. People with depression are capable; sometimes, they just need some flexibility to thrive.

Tip 2: Respect privacy. It’s okay for someone not to disclose their mental health condition. What truly matters is creating a supportive and inclusive workplace culture where everyone feels valued and understood.

Tip 3: Provide support. As employers, it’s our duty to back our team. Knowing how to lend a hand to a teammate facing mental health challenges is part of our duty of care.

Tip 4: Build a culture. Foster an environment where everyone feels safe, welcomed, and accepted. This is key to maintaining positive mental health across the team.

How Mind Blank helps

At Mind Blank, we believe no one should suffer alone. Our workshops are designed to raise awareness about depression and promote mental wellbeing. Through interactive storytelling, participants learn to recognise the signs of depression, offer support, and understand the importance of early intervention.

Depression is a serious condition, but it’s also manageable with the right support. Whether you’re experiencing symptoms yourself or want to help someone who is, understanding depression is the first step toward recovery.

At Mind Blank, we provide the resources and education needed to combat depression and promote mental health.

Check out our workplace programs.

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How to Build a Positive Body Image and Support your Mental Health

Ally Kelly — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 06:35:04 +0000

September 4, 2024

Body image plays a significant role in how we see ourselves and others. However, instead of focusing on unrealistic standards set by society and media, it’s essential to celebrate who we are beyond appearances and recognise the profound impact body image has on our mental health.

What is body image?

Body image is how you see yourself and is shaped by your thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

Unfortunately, this perception isn’t always accurate — often, we are our own harshest critics. This critical view can lead to negative self-talk, which can directly impact your mental health.

When you catch yourself being critical, try to:

Swap negative thoughts with affirmations. Remind yourself of your strengths, what makes you unique and how your body supports you daily.
Shift your mindset from how you look to how you feel. Focus on how you feel rather than how you look. Eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep are all ways to support your body in a positive way.
Curate your social media feed. Follow accounts that promote body positivity and mental wellness and engage with content that makes you feel good about yourself.

The power of positive body image

Embracing a positive body image can have a transformative effect on your mental health. Here’s how:

Increased confidence. When you stop fixating on imperfections, you start seeing yourself as the whole, capable person you are, which boosts self-esteem.
Better mental health. A positive body image reduces stress and anxiety, allowing you to enjoy life more fully and with greater peace of mind.
Stronger relationships. Confidence in yourself can lead to healthier relationships, as it fosters better communication, boundary-setting, and mutual respect.

A personal journey toward self-acceptance

Many people struggle with body image issues, but learning to accept yourself is a journey that can profoundly enhance your mental well-being. Consider these strategies:

Celebrate your accomplishments. Regularly acknowledge your successes, big and small. This shift in focus—from appearance to personal growth and achievement—can significantly enhance your mental health.
Engage in activities that bring you joy. Whether it’s a hobby or spending time with loved ones, doing what you love reinforces your worth beyond physical appearance.
Recognise and appreciate moments of self-acceptance. Every step you take toward self-love, whether accepting a compliment or feeling good in an outfit, is a victory worth celebrating.

Understanding and overcoming eating disorders

Eating disorders are serious, but recovery is possible.

Here’s how you can take positive steps toward healing:

Seek help early. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, getting help from a healthcare provider is crucial. Early intervention can make a significant difference in recovery.
Build a support system. Surround yourself with people who uplift and support you. Friends, family, or support groups can provide the encouragement you need to stay on the path to recovery.
Focus on progress, not perfection. Recovery is a journey with ups and downs. Celebrate your progress, no matter how small, and be gentle with yourself during setbacks.

Seeking support and building self-love

Building a positive body image takes time, but it’s a journey worth taking.

Here’s how to start:

Practice gratitude. Write down something you like about yourself every day. This helps shift your focus to the positive aspects of who you are.
Create a self-care routine. Take time each day to do things that make you feel good, whether it’s a walk, meditation, or simply relaxing with a good book.
Learn about body positivity and self-love. Books, podcasts, and online resources can help you understand the impact of societal pressures and guide you toward a healthier perspective.

Supporting someone on their journey

If you’re helping someone improve their body image, you can make a big difference by:

Listening without judgment. Let them share their thoughts and feelings freely.
Suggesting activities that boost self-esteem. Encourage them to try activities, like joining a yoga class, journaling, or a creative hobby.
Being patient. Change takes time – be there for them through it all.

At Mind Blank, we’re dedicated to raising mental health awareness in schools, workplaces and communities. We help people to recognise their worth, learn how to maintain wellbeing, and seek help when needed. Our programs encourage acceptance and support so that everyone can thrive.

Remember, body image isn’t just about looks – it’s about embracing who you are. With the right mindset and support, everyone can build a healthy, positive view of themselves.

At Mind Blank, we’re here to help you on this journey.

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Understanding and Managing Anxiety in the Workplace

Ally Kelly — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 00:54:04 +0000

August 13, 2024

Anxiety is more common than you might think. Chances are, either you or someone you know has dealt with anxiety.

Given that we spend a significant portion of our time at work, it’s no surprise signs of anxiety can show up in the office.

Recognising these signs early and knowing how to support your colleagues is crucial.

Spotting the signs of anxiety at work

Anxiety can show up in different ways.

If your colleagues are showcasing any of these signs, it may indicate they are dealing with anxiety:

Isolating themselves
Procrastinating on tasks
Looking tired all the time
Losing interest in their work
Forgetting things and becoming irritable
Struggling with confidence
Missing work altogether

These behaviours might mean someone is dealing with anxiety. As mangers and coworkers, noticing these signs is the first step to offering support.

Why early detection matters

Identifying anxiety early can prevent more serious health issues. Addressing anxiety quickly helps maintain productivity and a positive work environment.

It also shows employees their wellbeing is valued, leading to increased employee loyalty and engagement.

Practical tips for supporting colleagues with anxiety

Supporting a colleague with anxiety involves understanding and compassion.

Remember, people with anxiety are very capable; sometimes they just need a bit of flexibility.

Here are some tips:

Start an open conversation: Have a gentle, open chat with your colleague. Let them know you’re there to support them. Work together to adjust their role to help them succeed.
Respect privacy: If a colleague doesn’t want to talk about their mental health, respect that. Focus on creating a supportive and inclusive workplace culture where everyone feels safe.
Be supportive: As leaders, it’s our duty to support our team. Knowing how to help a teammate face mental health challenges is part of that responsibility. Provide resources and encourage seeking professional help if needed.
Create a safe and welcoming culture: Build a culture where everyone feels safe, welcomed and accepted. Encourage team activities and open communication to create a more inclusive environment.

Practical steps for managers and leaders

Managers and leaders play a crucial role in supporting employees with anxiety.

Here’s how you can help:

Offer training to raise awareness about anxiety and equip your team with the tools to support each other.
Provide flexible hours or remote work options to help employees manage their anxiety.
Promote regular breaks to reduce stress and burnout.
Ensure employees have access to Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) or mental health professionals.

How Mind Blank can support your workplace

At Mind Blank, we partner with organisations of all sizes and industries to create customised workplace mental health programs.

Our approach focuses on prevention and early intervention, and destigmatisation of mental health challenges.

We offer:

Mental health workshops: Our workshops raise awareness, reduce stigma, and provide tools to maintain wellbeing and respond to challenges.

Interactive forum theatre performances: Professional actors present skits based on real-life mental health issues. Audience members engage with the performers and provide feedback to change the outcomes for affected individuals.

Online resources: Educational materials and resources tailored to the workplace, from toolkits to specialised video modules, providing ongoing support.

Consultation and strategy: We work with employers to develop mental health strategies that fit their culture and goals.

Creating a supportive work environment where anxiety is understood and managed is crucial for the wellbeing of all employees.

By recognising the signs of anxiety, engaging in open conversations, and providing the necessary support, we can make a significant difference.

At Mind Blank, we help you create a workplace that values mental health.

Find out more information on our workplace programs.

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How to Build Resilience in Your Team

Ally Kelly — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 03:37:08 +0000

We’re often asked about wellbeing and resilience. Here’s the thing, resilience isn’t a trait you’re born with. It’s a skill you can learn.

What is resilience?

Resilience is the ability to cope with stress and thrive in the face of unexpected challenges.

Why build a resilient team?

A resilient workforce offers many benefits. It creates motivated individuals who handle change with ease and are less prone to burnout.

Plus, a mentally healthy team is more engaged, creative and loyal, which means higher productivity and lower turnover.

Benefits of a resilient workplace

When employees feel supported and resilient, their productivity naturally goes up, benefiting the entire organisation.

Some key benefits include:

Motivation and adaptability: Resilient employees adapt to change and stay motivated, even during tough times.

Reduced burnout: Resilient employees are less likely to experience burnout, leading to fewer sick days and more consistent workflow.

Enhanced creativity and loyalty: Mentally healthy teams bring their best ideas to the table and stay committed to their work and organisation.

How to foster resilience in your team

Here are four strategies you can start using right away:

1. Provide training and resources

Offer workshops and resources that focus on building resilience skills.

Workshops: Host resilience-building workshops where employees can learn and practice coping strategies.

Online resources: Provide access to online courses and resources on stress management, resilience and mindfulness.

Skill development: Invest in training and development programs to help employees advance their careers.

2. Encourage open communication

Create a safe space for employees to share their challenges and seek support.

Regular check-ins: Schedule regular one-on-one check-ins to discuss any issues or concerns.

Support groups: Form support groups where employees can share experiences and solutions.

Mentorship programs: Create mentorship programs to guide employees and provide support.

3. Promote work-life balance

Encourage practices that help employees maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life.

Flexible schedules: Offer flexible working hours to help employees manage their personal and professional responsibilities.

Time off: Encourage taking regular breaks and holidays to recharge.

Health and wellness: Promote activity through walking meetings, hosting wellness challenges, company-sponsored fitness programs or gym memberships.

4. Lead by example

Show resilience and positive coping strategies in your leadership.

Transparent communication: Share your own experiences and strategies for dealing with stress.

Positive attitude: Maintain a positive attitude and show appreciation for your team’s effort.

Building a resilient team is essential. By investing in resilience training and fostering a supportive work environment, you can boost your team’s wellbeing and productivity.

At Mind Blank, we’re here to help you create a resilient and mentally healthy workplace. Let’s work together to build a thriving team.

For more information on our workshops and how we can help your organisation, visit Mind Blank.

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Why Mental Health Matters: Building a Happier and More Productive Workplace

Ally Kelly — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 23:39:00 +0000

At Mind Blank, we recently hosted a showcase for potential workplace partners called Mental Health Wellness @ Work.

This interactive workshop emphasised the importance of wellbeing at work and demonstrated our unique method for creating healthier work environments.

Why workplace wellbeing matters

We spend a significant portion of our lives at work. And our mental health directly impacts our performance, job satisfaction, and overall quality of life.

A mentally healthy workforce is the foundation of a thriving organisation.

Employers play a huge role in this – when our team are happy and healthy, they’re more engaged, which means higher productivity and less turnover.

Workshop highlights

Our recent workshop was a raving success. Our troupe of professional actors perform real-life workplace scenarios, sparking important discussions and practical insights.

This interactive storytelling method helps everyone see and feel the impact of mental health issues.

Participants didn’t just watch – they got involved, learning practical strategies to prevent mental health issues and promote wellbeing.

Our creative and preventative approach

Mind Blank works with organisations of all sizes to create customised workplace mental health programs.

Our focus is on prevention, early intervention and destigmatising mental health challenges.

Our sessions are light-hearted and fun, making tough topics easier to tackle.

Through real-life examples and skits, our facilitators and actors teach resilience and critical skills in an engaging way.

By incorporating humour and relatable scenarios, we make learning enjoyable and impactful, helping employees retain and apply what they’ve learned.

Popular training sessions

Our most in-demand workplace wellness topics address:

Burnout and stress management: Learn to spot early signs and develop coping strategies. Our sessions cover practical techniques for managing stress and preventing burnout, such as mindfulness exercises, time management skills and self-care routines.
Conflict resolution: Improve communication and resolve workplace conflicts effectively. We teach strategies for addressing and resolving conflicts constructively, fostering a more collaborative work environment.
Management/subordinate relations: Enhance relationships and create a supportive work environment. This training builds trust and effective communication between managers and their teams, promoting mutual respect and support.

Learning outcomes

Our workshops help participants to:

Use creative practices to support workplace wellbeing,

Implement a co-creation approach to develop a wellness culture,

Identify tools to measure the effectiveness of these practices, and

Spot early warning signs of mental health challenges and access crisis support services.

Reflecting on workplace wellbeing

As a leader, ask yourself:

Do we have the tools and skills needed to thrive in this area?

How are we supporting our employees’ mental health?

Are we creating an environment where people feel safe to speak up and seek help?

Reflect on your current mental health practices and consider areas for improvement.

Take the first step

Ready to build a healthier and happier workplace?

Together, we can create a workplace where mental health is valued, benefitting both your team and the organisation.

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Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Ally Kelly — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 23:39:00 +0000

First Nations inequality is still indicated as having significant gaps in all areas, including health (Wright, P., & Lewis, P., 2017 ). Mental health, appalling living conditions, and past traumas have led to high suicide rates that are having great impact on Indigenous communities (Korff,2016 ).

There is a strong need for more proactive community initiatives to promote mental health and well-being.

Mind Blank is Actively Seeking Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health Collaborations

Our team is deeply saddened by the statistics that suicide is theleading cause of death of young people in Australia. Suicide deaths represent ahigher proportion of deaths in young Indigenous Australians compared to non-Indigenous Australians. From 2017 to 2021, almost a quarter (24%) of deaths in Indigenous Australians aged 0–24 were due to suicide, compared to 17% in non-Indigenous Australians in this age group[1]

https://www.aihw.gov.au/suicide-self-harm-monitoring/data/populations-age-groups/suicide-indigenous-australians

Mind Blank is actively promoting early intervention and planning as a priority for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander’s mental health outcomes.

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We aspire to:

Work alongside Indigenous communities to listen and share knowledge.
Create sustainable change by supporting culturally driven and community-owned collaborations.

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Information About Mind Blank programs

Mind Blank is a mental health promotion charity aiming to reduce the risk of suicide through interactive workshops in schools and communities.

We offer community groups and services providers an opportunity to collaborate. We aim to support community led programs led by youths focusing on their current mental health concerns. Our workshops include young people through interactive theatre to empower them to be proactive about reducing the risk of mental and emotional health. Students walk away with practical application of skills to: identify risk factors, stop and think about behaviour choices, and know where to seek help in a time of need.

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We are also supporting schools and services with shorter program adaptations and awareness tours.

In 2019 this Mind Blank Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander collaboration was presented with the Mental Health Services Award for Mental Illness Prevention, which received international recognition at the Brisbane Convention Centre. Click on the link below for more information on the award.

Collaboration Case Study

For each geographical location local youth helped tailor the content to address the concerns in the local communities.

An example of a collaboration working with youths from the Top End of Australia can be demonstrated in our alliance with TeamHEALTH. Mind Blank has worked alongside team health since 2016 to host an annual mental health awareness tour.

“The actors were excellent in interacting with the students we have at our school. The show as the best I’ve seen in my 3 years at school… The topics covered were age appropriate and addressed the social skills we need in our area. Well done toeveryone!! The students talked about the actors long after they had left. Their presence made a big impact on our students.”

“I asked some of my students what they got out of the performance and this is exactly what they said- there’s always someone to help- you just have to ask. You have to communicate if you want people to know how you feel and to help you.”

Tour locations include:

Darwin
Palmerston
Katherine
Batchelor
Belyuen
Gumbalaunya

For each geographical location we tailored the content to address the age group and the concerns from the local communities. In the remote communities.

Collaboration themes:

mental health education
suicide prevention
mental health help-seeking
identifying signs and symptoms

Would you like to host a collaboration in your community? For more information click here.

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Mental Health Service Award

Ally Kelly — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 02:14:47 +0000

The Mind Blank charity openly seeks out a collaborative approach to expand service offerings and help empower communities in need. An example of a community collaboration in application can be seen in with Mind Blank’s Northern Territory collaborations.

Why work in the Northern Territory? The Northern Territory has the highest suicide rates seen in Australia. The reality is that are some Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander communities can have young people who are up to eight times more at risk than their non-indigenous peers.

Since 2016 Mind Blank has worked with TeamHEALTH (Top End Mental Health provider) to host an annual mental health awareness tour. In this collaboration Mind Blank team to support training local community members through a peer support process. Young people with lived experience of mental health issues are invited to lead the process to develop scripts that they can relate to in order to capture a youth voice and focus on their current mental health concerns. Throughout the creative development process young people walk away from this program with practical application of skills to: identify mental health risk factors; stop and think about behaviour’s and choices; and support steps in order to know whereto seek help in a time of need.

Overall this collaboration is successful due to both organisation complementing each other’s services. Mind Blank has the ability to engage young people in a safe and creative manner. TeamHEALTH is able to then provide a social worker to support any students through trauma informed care, directly after a Mind Blank workshop. The peer support model allows for a knowledge transfer process empowering local community’s members with the skills they need to build on proactive community action steps.

During our annual collaboration we support Mind Blank working in schools in the Darwin,Palmerston, Katherine, and in rural/remote communities surrounding Kakadu National Park. Here is a highlight of the program so far:

In 2019 this collaboration was presented with the Mental Health Services Award for Mental Illness Prevention which received international recognition at the Brisbane Convention Centre.

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Program Evaluation

Ally Kelly — Sat, 20 Feb 2021 23:20:00 +0000

Why Mind Blank?

Theatre use in an educational setting can help students to open up and engage in discussions about their shared experiences and help promote positive change.

The interactive nature of Mind Blank helps audience members reflect on their own personal situations, and come up with solutions that work for them. The audience tries to fix things, and the actors remind the audience that things aren’t always so easy to fix.

What were the measurable impacts of this project/program?

In order to track our programs progress the Mind Blank team seeks to aim for best practice evaluation techniques.

Despite having different program demographic focus’ program aims fall under the following key themes:

•Gain new knowledge of mental health issues

•Build confidence and resilience skills

•Demonstration the application of early intervention help-seeking action

•Provide crisis support numbers and referral pathways (on a needs basis)

Key outcomes are measured using the following methods:

1) Participant are asked to complete a survey before and after the program. This aim’s to capture prior knowledge of mental health subject matter, as well as inform the team on insights from lessonslearned from the program rollout.

2) Participants will complete a role play assessment to demonstrate early intervention skills gained.

3) An independent program evaluation assessment will take place to assess insights on participant’s confidence and resilience skills. Interview and survey data is collected from insights from teaching staff or workplace supervisors, as well as program facilitator’s feedback.

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Is it appropriate for your children?

We are very aware that age matters when it comes to discussing certain topics surrounding mental health. We work hard to ensure that our content is age-appropriate, and that all measures are put inplace to ensure children aren’t overwhelmed.

Before the workshop, we disclose exactly what type of content the audience will be experiencing, and collect consent forms.We also provide post-performance letters for parents, including a list of questions to continue the discussion at home.

During our school performances, we point out where the teachers and support staff are in the room, to ensure students receive adequate care if they are affected by any of the issues mentioned inthe workshop.

Upon leaving the event, audience members are given a ‘crisis card’ with national helpline numbers, along with a QR code which provides local information tailored to your specific area.

What others are saying about us:

Teachers

“The show was the best I’ve seen in my three years at school. The topics covered were age-appropriate and addressed the social skills we need in our area. The students talked about the actors longafter they had left, and their presence made a big impact on our students.”

“I asked some of my students what they got out of the performance and this is exactly what they said: ‘there’s always someone to help – you just have to ask.You have to communicate if you want people to know how you feel and to help you.’”

Students

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Evaluation/Research Projects

– Searle, K. A. (2017). Breaking down the barriers: Using drama to engage young people in mental health promotion and prevention- A quantitative and qualitative research trial. Master of Science – Research (Psychology), University of Wollongong, Wollongong.

– Mind Blank supported by Courage Partners (2019) Evaluation of Primary School Mental Health Awareness Program Trial. Approved by ACT Department of Education as an internal document.

– Mind Blank supported by Courage Partners (2020) Evaluation of Secondary School Mental Health Awareness Program Grafton.

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New Projects

Current conversations are taking place with Canberra University and Griffith University to support studying the following research questions:

– What are the long term benefits and challenges of Mind Blank’s health promotion activities. Current Progress: An ethics application submitted Canberra University.

– Research evaluation ofthe impacts of Mind Blank mental health education programs in workplaces. Current Progress: An ethics application submitted Canberra University.

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Crisis Numbers

Ally Kelly — Sat, 20 Feb 2021 23:13:00 +0000

What to help someone seek support? Don’t know where to start?

– Your local GP is the first point of call for mental health help seeking. If you are worried about someone offer to go in to the doctor with them.

– If you need immediate help and are dealing with a crisis call 000.

Other important numbers and websites for seeking help:

Lifeline Australia | 13 11 14

Finding Services

Wesley Mission has developed a responsive website to provide fast and reliable access to suicide prevention help seeking and crisis support contact numbers from any location in Australia.

Find services with the Wesley LifeForce Service Finder.

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