October 8, 2019
Speak up, reach out for help … these are the messages that the South Burnett Suicide Prevention Working Group is trying to spread during Mental Health Week.
As well, as sharing some delicious, if looking a tad unhappy, cupcakes.
Volunteers from the working group were handing out free “Depressed Cupcakes” at Bunnings in Kingaroy and at Mitre 10 in Murgon on Tuesday as part of their Mental Health Week activities.
They were aiming to raise awareness about mental health issues in the South Burnett as well as distributing “Where To Get Help” brochures.
Volunteer Kay Swannson shared some sobering statistics about suicide:
- Six men and two women die due to suicide every day in Australia
- The group most affected are young men aged 18-35
- One-in-five Australians go undiagnosed or untreated for mental health issues, either due to the stigma of seeking help, or the lack of resources where they live.
“We want to make that zero-in-five,” Kay said.
“People should not feel embarrassed about seeking help.”
Why Depressed Cupcakes?
“Depressed Cakes” have become a worldwide phenomenon. Despite looking black, grey and gloomy, they’re actually delicious and they’re for a good cause, providing an opportunity for volunteers to have all-important discussions about mental health.
The idea began in the United Kingdom as a PR stunt for raising mental health awareness.
“Pop up” shops soon started appearing around Europe and the United States.
The first “Depressed Cake Shop” appeared in the South Burnett during Mental Health Week in 2013, and they’ve been popping up in different locations ever since.
The South Burnett Suicide Prevention Working Group is hoping to hold future cupcake events at both the Coolabunia and Murgon saleyards.
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Other free Mental Health Week activities this week include:
- Counsellor and art therapist Amanda Jensen, from Abundant Journey, will be bringing a Women’s Circle activity to Kingaroy from 6:00pm to 7:00pm on Wednesday evening in St Mary’s Church Hall, Albert Street. It’s totally free and there’s no need to book.
- Two free “sample” sessions of Inamojo are being held in Kingaroy. Inamojo is a playful program designed to aid children’s well-being involving music, art, meditation and stories. A full nine-week program is planned following these two sessions. (Dates to be advised). The first sample session will be held from 3:30pm on Wednesday afternoon at St Mary’s Church Hall. Cost is free. The second session will be held on Friday at the same time and venue.
For more information about either of these activities, phone Elissa on (07) 4162-9254.
- A Mental Health Awareness day will be held in the Cherbourg Community Welfare Hall from 10:00am to 2:00pm on Wednesday. Pop on down and find out what you can do to help and support people in the community. More info? Phone Patti or Mel on (07) 4169-8900.
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“Where To Get Help” brochures are also available in Kingaroy at Centacare South Burnett, CTC Youth, Uniting Community Care, Salvation Army Family Store, Lifeline Store and Kingaroy Library; and at Graham House in Murgon.
In the meantime, to reach out for help, phone:
- Lifeline 24-Hour Telephone Crisis Support 13-11-14 (24 hours)
- Mensline 1300-789-978 (24 hours)
- Kids Helpline (aged 5-25 yrs) 1800-551-800 (24 hours)
- Beyondblue info line 1300-224-636
- SANE mental health information 1800-187-263
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