WIMMERA community service organisations have invited people to recognise Mental Health Week with a series of events throughout October.
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Mental Health Week runs until Saturday, and aims to educate and engage Victorians about mental health.
Uniting Wimmera, Grampians Community Health, Voices Vic, headspace Horsham, Red Cross and Horsham Rural City Council will provide a range of activities during this month including workshops, documentary screenings, an art exhibition, and live performances.
Events so far have ranged from a Central Grampians LLEN skate park day on Saturday to a headspace Horsham open day on Monday.
Organiser Petra Hinch said she hoped the events would highlight the support and services available to people experiencing challenges with their mental health.
She also hopes the events will help reduce the stigma associated with illnesses such as depression and anxiety.
“Sometimes it can be difficult to navigate where to go when you or a loved one needs help,” she said.
“What we really want to make clear is that by coming to any of our organisations, we would be able to point you in the right direction.
“There is no wrong door.”
Mental Health Week included the launch of Uniting Wimmera’s fourth annual art show on Tuesday.
The theme for this year’s exhibition is ‘Inside Out’.
Ms Hinch said the theme was designed to help people to think in a different way about their mental health recovery journey.
Horsham’s Andrew Sorenson was among the artists to contribute work for the show.
His artwork was a troll created using regular and rubber paint.
He said he had received many positive comments about his work, which will be displayed in the Uniting Wimmera foyer in Horsham until Friday.
A Healing Voices documentary screening will run in Warracknabeal on Tuesday, followed by a Hearing Voices information session for voice hearers and their carers in Horsham on Wednesday.
A Hearing Voices peer group come and try session will run on October 26.
Ms Hinch said people could visit www.wuc.org.au/mhw for more information about Mental Health Week events.