Mental health community connection grants

Primary Health Tasmania was proud to collaborate with the Mental Health Council of Tasmania on a grants program to help community organisations across the state encourage Tasmanians to get out and about and reconnect with their community following the interruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A total of 35 organisations received grants under the Australian Government-funded program, to help them host events and activities across the state between now and the end of June.

The events funded under the program:

• increase connection to community
• educate community members on how to maintain wellbeing
• encourage help-seeking behaviour at a local community level.

Activities include self-care workshops, community gardening, concerts, pottery courses, drumming circles, and yoga.

To check out the range of activities, and get involved, go to www.checkin.org.au/suggestions and click the ‘View All’ button to find the program of upcoming events, with more events being added regularly.

Primary Health Tasmania has had a key role in supporting general practice and other community-based service providers to care for Tasmanians as part of the COVID-19 pandemic response, and approached the MHCT with an idea about supporting communities through grassroots local organisations.

“We wanted to look at what we could do to support communities directly, in a non-clinical way,” Primary Health Tasmania spokesperson Grant Akesson said.

“We know the pandemic has had an impact on the mental health of many Tasmanians, and we recognise the important role local organisations play in keeping community members connected and improving their wellbeing.”

Mental Health Council of Tasmania CEO Connie Digolis said the grants would encourage Tasmanians to stay mentally “fit and healthy”.