Community page
It’s only just begun. This page will always be in a state of movement, incomplete but still informative and hopefully helpful.
As discussed previously,I was trained as a generalist Social Worker and part of the training is to explore and identify the services and resources that are needed in the local community and where possible promote and develop these.
It is my aim and hope that I will eventually be able to use this website as a means of identifying resources and services that are required in our community in relation to matters of mental health and wellbeing. This includes information, education, services and resources to provide community members with support and assistance in getting the help they need to address their mental health issues.
Initially I will provide some information on mental health, suicide and resources to address these, but in time I will provide information, education and resources on a host of other topics such as drug and alcohol, domestic violence and relationship problems.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Mental Health is concerned with an individual’s capacity to experience a sense of wellbeing and purpose in their life. Meaning is attributed to daily activities and relationships. Problems are managed and resolved. Life is filled with possibilities, plans and the energy to implement these.
Mental Health Issues can impact adversely on individuals, families, groups and communities. As an individual with mental health issues, you may experience your life as having no meaning or purpose. You may not have motivation or energy to function on a day to day basis. You may be unable to work, socialise, experience pleasure or care or yourself or others. You may 
experience feelings of isolation and loneliness. Even getting help may be too difficult.
Mental Health Affects your emotional, psychological, physical and social well-being. It affects how you think, how you feel, and act. It affects how you manage stress, are in relationship with others and the decisions and choices you make. Mental health begins at birth and lives on in us through our childhood, adolescence, adulthood, during our ageing process until we die.
Factors that contribute to mental health issues is a complex interaction between mind, body and environment. Biological factors include genetic, hormonal and chemical factors. Social factors that impact on your sense of wellbeing such as poverty, racism, discrimination, injustice, war and crime. Environmental factors such as conflict in relationships, trauma in life experiences, ongoing chronic and acute stress and stigma as a result of being mentally unwell.
The Stigma that surrounds the issue of mental health can have a significant impact on your ability and capacity to manage your mental health issue. Mental Health problems are common and affect people from all different cultures, ages, socioeconomic classes and races. It is not a character flaw or a weakness to experience anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation or an inability to function due to stress. People cannot just “get over it” or “pull themselves together” when they have a mental health issue. Individuals with mental health problems are not any more violent than the general population. Self-harm is more likely than harm to others.
With Treatment, individuals with mental health problems can get better and live healthy, 
productive and meaningful lives. Treatments work better when there is a comprehensive plan that identifies and addresses the individuals biological, social, psychological and environmental needs. Treatment options include medication, counselling, problem solving and self care.
Lets talk about Suicide
I have worked for many years with people who have experienced mental health issues and suicidal problems. I have personally and professionally experienced the impact mental health problems and suicide has on individuals and their loved ones.
The purpose of this page is to get people to start talking about mental health and suicide issues. We need to talk about it, so that people who are experiencing symptoms of mental illness or suicide can reach out to us and others. If we are not talking about it then people who feel suicidal, depressed anxious or unwell will not feel safe enough to tell us.
Talking about mental health and suicide is uncomfortable. So lets get uncomfortable together, and start helping people that you care and love to find a comfortable spot in which to talk about wanting to end their lives.
It is important to know that not everyone who experiences suicidal thoughts and behaviours wants to die. Sometimes people have problems that are too difficult to resolve and they see no way out of their predicament and start to experience thoughts and feelings of escaping the inner emotional turmoil and distress.
Resources
Black Dog Institute
Headspace
Butterfly foundation
Reach out
Lifeline
Mind health connect
Suicide prevention lifeline
Smiling mind
Suicide call back service
Mensline
Kids helpline