Mental Health & Wellbeing

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 taking that time for yourself. It’s a time to think about your mental health and wellbeing, whether or not you are living with a mental illness. It’s a time to understand the importance of good mental health every day and being able to identify when you may need to seek help.

This year, we want our CBCity community to Tune In!
Tune In to what’s happening within you, and in the world around you.
Tune In to your senses – what can you sense right now? What can you feel?
Tune In to your communities – what’s happening that you can be part of, or that you can help others be part of?
Tune In to stigma – how do attitudes and understandings of mental health and wellbeing impact people’s ability to live the lives they want?

Check out some of the fun and informative programs running in CBCity:

Active Seniors programs

We all know the benefits of exercise to our mental health. This is even more important for seniors with feelings of anxiety, depression, grief and loneliness. Regular exercise is beneficial for our physical health and more importantly, for our mental health.

Join in at one of our many classes to support your mental health and meet new people.

Active Hearts Campsie

  • When: Thursdays during school terms, 2.30-3.30pm
  • Where: Campsie Library and Knowledge Centre, 14/28 Amy St, Campsie
  • Details: To register, call Michael Kline on 0438 823 882

Active Hearts Ashbury

  • When: Tuesdays during school terms, 2.30-3.30pm
  • Where: Ashbury Seniors Citizen Centre, 64-68 Princess St, Canterbury
  • Details: To register, call Michael Kline on 0438 823 882

Walking Basketball

  • When: Every Tuesday during school terms, 10.30-11.30am
  • Where: Bankstown Basketball Stadium, 2 Third Ave, Condell Park
  • Details: To register, call Maria Athanasopoulos on 9707 5495

HSC study and support sessions

HSC students, join us for food, tutoring and access to online databases, plus health and wellbeing advice – all FREE! You must be able to prove student status and adhere to hygiene practices and social distancing. No registration required.

  • Bankstown Library and Knowledge Centre
  • When: 5 September-2 November, Monday-Wednesday, 4-9pm
  • Campsie Library and Knowledge Centre
  • When: 5 September-2 November, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 4-9pm
  • Lakemba Library and Knowledge Centre
  • When: 19 September-12 October,  Monday-Wednesday, 5-8pm
  • Riverwood Library and Knowledge Centre
  • When: 21 September-2 November, Wednesdays, 5-8pm

Let’s Go First Nations

The Let’s Go First Nations initiatives will be rolled out across Canterbury-Bankstown Libraries in September-November. Council invites you to join in the fun and experience the rich culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the oldest culture in civilisation. This is a great opportunity to ‘Tune In’ to what is happening in our community. 

Over the next three months we would love you to join in on some of the fun and cultural experiences including:

  • Cultural Experience Workshops
  • Art Exhibition
  • Bush tucker talk and tasting
  • Baket weaving
  • First Nations Movie Screenings
  • Dreamtime Preschool Storytime
  • Other craft activities

For more information see the attached booklet and to register visit cb.city/Lets-Go-First-Nations

Alcohol, other drugs and mental health information sessions In Arabic

Alcohol, other drugs and mental health information sessions delivered in Arabic for parent and carers. These sessions will have discussions around the link between mental health and addiction as well as the early signs of addictive behaviour. Sessions will be delivered online and face to face. 

  • When:  Friday 14 October, 8-9pm
  • Where: Online
  • Details: To register, click here
  • When:   Friday 21 October, 7-9pm
  • Where: Bankstown Library and Knowledge Centre, 80 Rickard Rd, Bankstown
  • Details: To register, click here


For more information contact Council's Community Safety and Crime Prevention Officer at CommunitySafety@cbcity.nsw.gov.au

This event is in partnership with the Bankstown Community Drug Action Team.

Aboriginal guided walk in the Georges River National Park

Join us for a guided nature walk, led by Aunty Leanne King, local Darug woman, including a smoking ceremony and Dadirri (deep listening) along the Georges River.

  • When: Thursday 20 October, 9.30am-1.30pm
  • Where: Departing from The Mall, Bankstown at 9.30am or meet us at Burrawang Reach Picnic Area at 10am.
  • Details: For catering purposes, registeration is essential for all participants on the bus or meeting at the location. To register, click here.

This walk is graded easy, be sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring water and sunscreen.

For more information contact Council's Indigenous Community Development Officer on 9707 9863 or email barbara.grant@cbcity.nsw.gov.au

Tune In and be empowered:

A networking and professional development event for Canterbury-Bankstown Religious Leaders
 
Topics will include:

  • Tune In to yourself
  • Tune In to stigma
  • Tune In to your community

 Event details:

  • When: Tuesday 25 October, 10am-noon
  • Where: Bankstown Library and Knowledge Centre, 80 Rickard Rd, Bankstown
  • Details: Bookings essential – register here
For more information contact Council's Diversity Officer on 9789 9472 or email jae.yang@cbcity.nsw.gov.au

This event is funded by City of Canterbury Bankstown and WayAhead.

Hoarding and squalor workshop

These FREE hoarding and squalor workshops explore the nature of hoarding and squalor and strategies to engage and support someone in this situation.

The workshop will explore:

  • What is hoarding and squalor
  • Common characteristics
  • Reasons why people may hoard or live in squalor
  • What supports are available
  • How you can support a loved one

 Event details:

  • When: 13 October 2022, 10am-noon
  • Where: Bankstown Library and Knowledge Centre, 80 Rickard Rd, Bankstown
  • Details: To register, click here
  • When: 24 October 2022, 10am-noon
  • Where: Bankstown Library and Knowledge Centre, 80 Rickard Rd, Bankstown
  • Details: To register, click here

For more information, contact Sandra on 9707 9464 or email Sandra.loyola-sandoval@cbcity.nsw.gov.au

Wh​ere to find help​​

In an eme​rgency, 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 t​he 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 Me​ntal 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 Natio​nal 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 Hea​lth 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

a guide to 7 ways to practice self-care 

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 

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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.