(Photo: depressedcakeshop.com)
September 26, 2013
Feeling depressed? Maybe a cake could help … but what about a cake that’s grey or black and gloomy?
This is a “Depressed Cake” and it’s the latest worldwide phenomenon which is about to hit the South Burnett, and it’s all in name of a good cause.
Depressed Cake Shops are pop-up shops which provide a range of cakes and sweet treats with an important message.
The idea began in the United Kingdom as a PR stunt for raising mental health awareness.
Depressed Cake Shops began springing up across Europe and the US over the past year.
The idea is to set up a shop for a limited time – usually not more than a few days – which stocks cakes, biscuits and other treats that are grey or black on the outside.
Some will sport black fondant rain clouds or black dogs, others have messages about depression on them.
Inside is a different story, as the cakes are bright and colourful.
Kingaroy cake maker Kathy Cope, of Cake and Whimsy, has been following the progress of the Depressed Cake Shop for some time before approaching mental health groups in the area about staging an event locally.
“I loved the concept from the moment I saw it,” Kathy said.
“It combines creativity and cake decorating with community. It’s a novel way to grab people’s attention. The group I’m working with has taken the idea and just run with it!”
Kathy is working with the South Burnett Suicide Prevention group to stage a Depressed Cake Shop event to coincide with national Mental Health Awareness Week in early October.
Baking and decorating will take place at Centacare’s commercial kitchen and volunteers are welcome to come along and help out.
The location will be announced shortly.
As a precursor, Kathy will manning a Depressed Cake Table at the South Burnett Mental Health Week Art Exhibition at the Kingaroy Art Gallery on Friday. October 4, from 6:00pm.
Mental Health Week runs from October 6-12. It is a national event aimed at educating and engaging the public about mental health issues in Australia.
If you’re interested in volunteering to bake or decorate cakes and biscuits, contact Kathy by email for more information.
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UPDATE October 3, 2013:
A Depressed Cake Shop will be popping-up at Gloria Jean’s Coffees in Kingaroy on Thursday, October 10. The cakes are free but if anyone wants to make a small donation, funds will go to first aid training for mental health practitioners in the South Burnett.
