Bernard Park was painted blue on Friday for the annual Northam Mental Health Week event, Turn Up In Blue Day.
The event, sponsored by the Northam Council, was organised by the Wheatbelt Mental Health Manager’s Forum which consists of representatives from local agencies who work with people with mental health issues across the Wheatbelt.
These agencies include Share and Care, Wheatbelt Mental Health Service, Wheatbelt Aboriginal Health Service, Mental Illness Fellowship of WA, Avivo, Wheatbelt GP Network, Wheatbelt Public Health, Avon Youth, WA Primary Health Alliance (WAHPA), Holyoake and the Northam Police.
The event highlighted the importance of openly conversing about mental health within a community and providing options to people who need assistance. Attendees were encouraged to dress in blue for the occasion, and did not disappoint.
Blue hats made specifically for the event were handed out, blue cupcakes were given as quiz prizes and bunches of blue balloons scattered the park.
Avon Youth chief executive officer Denese Smythe organised blue performers on the day, called Statue People, with funding received from WAHPA for mental health week. “I thought it was a nice, symbolic way of promoting turn up in blue day,” she said. “The way they interacted with people on the day was great.”
Interactive program DRUMBEAT was at the event, which uses drums and rhythm to help individuals understand their emotions in a fun way.
Luke Mettener and Lee Katnich from local band SUNA played classic tunes from the sound shell.
Ms Smythe said the event was a success.“I think we definitely got the message out that mental health should be at the forefront of our wellbeing – it is so important,” she said.
Wheatbelt NRM mental health manager Jamie Robson said the mental health organisations within the community have a great relationship with one another. “There is something about the can do attitudes in the Wheatbelt, where all the organisations are able to work together for the betterment of the community,” he said.
