Mental Health & Wellbeing

There are many places in our City to see help if you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health problem. Mental Health Services canterbury bankstown You may recognise that you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health problem. It is nothing to be ashamed of and there is plenty of help in the local area. Community

Mental Health Month

Mental Health Month, celebrated in October each year, is all about making time to focus on self-care and wellbeing. It’s a reminder to reflect on your mental health and wellbeing, whether you’re living with a mental illness or not. Beyond that, it is also an opportunity to acknowledge the importance of maintaining good mental health every day, as well as recognising when you might need to seek support.

Discover the power of mental wellness during Mental Health Month at CBCity!

Check out some of the initiatives and programs running at CBCity:

HSC study sessions

HSC students join us for exclusive study space, food and access to online databases, plus health and wellbeing advice – all FREE!

When: 8-10pm Wednesdays, 27 Sep-25 Oct
Where: Bankstown Library and Knowledge Centre, 80 Rickard Rd, Bankstown

No registration required. Make sure to bring your student ID card to guarantee entry.

Bankstown walkshop

Join our Aboriginal nature walkshop for an educational tour and learn how connecting with nature can improve mental wellbeing.

Learn about the First Nations concept and spiritual practice of Dadirri (da-did-ee), understand different types of wildlife and develop an appreciation of the ecology of the environment around us.

This event is brought to you by BCRG, headspace Bankstown, CBCity, in partnership with Gayarra-y and the School of Life and Environmental Sciences at the University of Sydney.

Date: 11am-1pm, Wednesday 4 October

Location: Mirambeena Regional Park, 110 Henry Lawson Dr, Georges Hall

To register, visit cb.city/BankstownWalkshop

Community safety expo

Meet your friendly local emergency and safety services and learn how they help keep you safe, whilst also taking away helpful tips! Watch demonstrations and chat to people from NSW Fire and Rescue, NSW Police, State Emergency Services, NSW Ambulance and Surf Life Saving.

When: 9am-4.30pm Saturday, 7 October
Where: Bankstown Central, Lady Cutler Avenue

For more information, visit cb.city/SafetyExpo

No bookings necessary, simply show up!

Art therapy workshop

CBCity and Wellways, Carer Gateway Services would like to invite individuals to join our art therapy workshop. Come along and join in and encourage your self-expression.

Art therapy is a form of expressive therapy that uses the creative process of making art to improve a person’s physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

When: 10am-12.30pm Tuesday, 10 October
Where: Studio 1, Bankstown Arts Centre, 5 Olympic Parade, Bankstown

Registration essential as there are limited spots. Lunch provided.

To register, click here

Mental Health Month event for CALD community workers in Canterbury-Bankstown

A vicarious trauma, burnout and self-care training session followed by a soft pastel drawing workshop with a theme of ‘We all have a role to play’. This event is funded by WayAhead.

When: 11.30am-3pm, Friday 13 October
Where: Lansdowne Rooms 1 and 2, Bryan Brown Theatre, 80 Rickard Road, Bankstown

Wolli Creek Preservation Society: Nature connection and wellbeing walk in the Wolli Creek Regional Park

When: 10am-noon, Saturday 14 October
Cost: $25 (booking required)
Location: Girrahween Picnic Area, Wolli Creek Regional Park

Being in nature is restorative and often inspiring. This is an invitation to join a small group to explore our relationship to nature through a number of connection practices that invite silence and close encounter. We may not travel far, but we will see and sense more. This is a great opportunity to slow down your pace and see the world around you with new eyes. Also, it’s a great opportunity to meet others and share an immersive experience. All ages welcome, yes you can bring your kids.

The walk is led by volunteer members of the Wolli Creek Preservation Society and will commence at Girrahween Park.

This walk is FREE for members of the Wolli Creek Preservation Society and bookings are required. To register, visit cb.city/WellbeingWalk

If you are not currently a member, your ticket fee covers the cost of membership to the WCPS. For more information about membership, visit cb.city/WCPS

Please email info@wollicreek.org.au if you have any questions. Details about where to meet and further walk information will be provided following registration.

Autism workshops

Learn about Autism, ADHD and other challenging behaviours that affect children. The workshop will cover hands-on strategies for supporting an autistic person or someone with ADHD.

When: 10am-1pm Monday, 16 October
Where: Community Room 1, BLaKC Cafe, 80 Rickard Road, Bankstown

Registration essential as spots are limited. Lunch provided.

For more information or to register, click here

When: 10am-1pm Monday, 30 October
Where: Campsie Library and Knowledge Centre, 14-28 Amy St, Campsie

Registration essential as spots are limited. Lunch provided.

For more information or to register, click here

Looking after me yoga class

Looking after our mental health also means looking after our body. Join our yoga class to learn how to use the techniques in caring for yourself.

When: 10.30-11.30am Wednesday, 18 October
Where: Hurlstone Memorial Community Hall

For bookings and enquiries, please call 9707 5495.

Ongoing Programs

Have Your Say: Resilient CBCity

The Resilient CBCity Strategic Plan, adopted in May 2023, aims to ensure our City is able to survive, adapt and thrive, no matter what challenges we face.
One of our directions is “Connect for Strength” which focuses on strengthening social cohesion and ensuring that services are accessible and equitable for all. This includes those who experience mental health issues and social isolation.

If you would like to be involved and help us identify actions to address these challenges, please register your interest for the upcoming engagement activities: cb.city/HYSResilientCBCity

Did you know that spending time in nature can benefit your mental health?

Spending time in nature, like walking, cycling, swimming, or simply stopping to admire your surroundings, can have a range of positive effects on mental health, including:

Reduced stress, anxiety and depression
Improved mood
Enhanced attention and memory
Improved immune system and physical health

For more ideas and opportunities to spend more time in nature, visit cb.city/CleanAndGreenEvents

Join our volunteer bushcare program to meet new people and learn about nature

By volunteering, you’ll be able to:

Meet new people
Learn more about our native plants and animals
Have active experiences in nature that give back to local wildlife

We have a lot of volunteer sites across our City - there’s no knowledge required, we will teach you!

For more information or to get involved, visit cb.city/Bushcare or contact Council's Bushcare Officer on 9707 9233

Improve your wellbeing by growing fresh produce in our community gardens

Community gardens are a place for gardeners of all ages and experience levels. You’ll improve your wellbeing by meeting likeminded people and share in the benefits of growing fresh, local and organic produce. It's also a great way to improve your physical health through connecting with the soil.

Join or volunteer at one of councils many community gardens - it’s a great way to improve your mental and physical health in a low impact activity.

Enquire at one of Council’s many community gardens on open days or during volunteering times. You’ll even get something fresh to share and eat!

For more information, visit cb.city/CommunityGardens

Where to find help

In an emergency, call 000

Lifeline Australia - 13 11 14

are a national charity providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.

headspace Bankstown

headspace Bankstown is a free and confidential service where young people between the ages of 12 and 25 can access friendly youth mental health professionals.

Beyond Blue

provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live.

Black Dog Institute

The Black Dog Institute is dedicated to understanding, preventing and treating mental illness.

Heads Up

Heads Up is all about giving individuals and businesses the tools to create more mentally healthy workplaces.

Grow NSW

Grow uses a 12-step program for recovery or prevention of mental illness

Hayat Line

Hayat Line is a free and confidential crisis support line for Muslims in Australia supporting individuals when experiencing a personal crisis or emotional distress.

Mental Health Australia

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

One Door Mental Health

One Door Mental Health has Carer Advocates who provide individual support services and training for carers and families of someone with mental illness.

Community Mental Health Team

Provide a broad range of specialist mental health services.

Kids Helpline

Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free (even from a mobile), confidential 24/7 online and phone counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.

MensLine Australia

MensLine Australia is a telephone and online counselling service offering support for Australian men anywhere, anytime.

Multicultural Mental Health Australia

Actively promotes the mental health and wellbeing of Australia's diverse communities.

Recovery Point

Recovery Point is a South Western Sydney Mental Health Resource that is an easy to use website and app.

Suicide Call Back Service

Suicide Call Back Service is a nationwide service providing 24/7 telephone and online counselling to people affected by suicide.

The Corner Youth Health Service

SWSLHD Youth Health Services are specialised multidisciplinary primary health care services for marginalised and at risk young people.

Transcultural Mental Health

The Transcultural Mental Health Centre (TMHC) works with people from culturally and linguistically (CALD) diverse communities, health professionals and partner organisations across NSW to support good mental health.

Talklink

The vision of talklink is to connect young Australians with the right mental health support through an approachable and modern directory. We’re also keen on mental health education. Which is why we kicked off a podcast all about mental health - the podcast is 100% self funded (no advertisers or third parties) in order to bring you authentic, real conversations with the clear goal of increasing awareness and conversations about mental health.

Other resources

General Practitioners (GPs)
You can also find GP practices by suburb through the National Health Services Directory at www.nhsd.com.au

Mental Health Care Plans
A care plan prepared by a patient and GP which explains a person's mental health needs and goals, and outlines treatment options and support services to reach those goals.

Mental Health Professionals
While GPs may manage the treatment of an individual, under a Mental Health Care Plan, they may also decide to refer a person for psychological treatment with a mental health professional. These include psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists in mental health, mental health nurses, as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health Workers.

7 Tips to Wellbeing

Say YES to Healthy Relationships

Say YES to healthy relationships! Domestic and family violence can have a significant negative impact on the mental health of those subjected to the abuse, children, friends and family. Say NO to DV and YES to healthy relationships! Find out more.

Say yes to healthy relationships

You may recognise that you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health problem. This can include changes in a person's thinking, emotional state or behaviour, which can in turn affect their daily life. These changes may disrupt the person's ability to work or carry out their usual personal relationships – just like a physical illness would.

People are often too afraid to access services simply because they feel that they will be judged in a negative way by the people around them, or be treated according to the stigma that surrounds mental illness. This is unfortunate as effective treatments are available for mental illness, and you should always be treated with respect. Treatment and support provided in the early stages of illness can reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.