17 October, 2022
Health and Wellbeing expo makes mark in Kilcoy
LEARNING to look after one’s own health and wellbeing was the focus as the inaugural Somerset Health and Wellbeing Expo took place alongside the Kilcoy Explore Centre on Wednesday, October 12.
As part of Mental Health Week, a range of market stalls provided information about services and activities regarding health and wellbeing.
Metro North Health employee and senior social worker Sally Pearman said it was vital to be proactive rather than reactive with addressing mental health, and that “no matter what your issue is, there’s help available”.
“Everyone needs to take care of their mental health,” she said.
Ms Pearman said events such as wellbeing expos were a positive experience and “not a stigma” while people did not need to feel they were being judged.
“It’s not that you’ve done something wrong,” she said.
“It’s about helping people on the pathway to recovery.
“We need to normalise it and de-stigmatise it.”
Early intervention for mental health issues helped prevent the issues getting worse in the long term, Ms Pearman said.
Those involved at Kilcoy included Relationships Australia, Head to Health, Lotus Support Coordination, Sunshines – Eat Speak Move, Richmond Fellowship Queensland, Wellways, Aspire Community Solutions, and Carers Queensland.
Others included Footprints Community, Konect Equine Wisdom and Wellness Centre, Headspace, Services Australia, and Stride Hub.
Music, yoga, dances and various games were among the activities.
“We intend to have a greater presence in the area in regards to promoting services and providing referral pathways for consumers that are in the Kilcoy area, as we know that this is a growing area and there is a need to provide robust health and wellbeing for a great community,” Ms Pearman said.
“(We) look forward to next year being as great and promoting good mental health and wellbeing.”
