Mental health in the spotlight

MENTAL health is under the spotlight as the community centres on Mental Health Week.

Statistics show that one in five people will be affected by mental illness during their life, whether it themselves or someone they know.

Mental Health Week was officially launched at Kembla Grange Racecourse on Saturday with Groovn at the Grange a festival featuring music, foods, rides, arts, crafts, a great day out for all.

Information stalls were held in Shellharbour and Figtree.

You havent missed out on all of the fun yet. A barbecue will be held at the Unanderra Community Centre this Friday between 12.30 pm and 2 pm. The community is invited to attend the barbecue, which is a joint venture between Berkeley Neighbourhood Centre and Unanderra Community Centre. It is a gold coin donation event. Bookings are essential, phone 4271 2213.

Also on Friday 13th is a barbecue on the Mirrabook Ward, Shellharbour Hospital between 12 noon and 3 pm. Family and friends are invited to this typical Australian barbecue lunch. Bring you most Australian possession or attend dressed as your favourite Aussie character. Bookings are essential, phone Maree on 4295 2545.

The Eloura East ward will also host a barbecue between 12 noon and 3 pm tomorrow. Organisors say this barbecue is a great opportunity for carers and families of patients to join staff for a delicious lunch. Bookings are essential, phone Max on 4295 2407.

Berkeley resident Andrew was diagnosed with anxiety and depression at 32 years old in 1997.

He said when doctors gave him his diagnosis it was a relief and helped to explain a lot of things.

It is a constant battle every day, the brain plays tricks on you, he said.

Despite suffering from image problems and a heightened level of self consciousness Andrew said it is important for him to still go out and become involved in different activities.

He attends Recovery Discovery on Mondays at Unanderra, a mental health group where people can go along to learn more about coping with mental health issues whether you have a mental illness or just want to know more.

On Thursdays Andrew attends the Berkeley Social Group at Berkeley Neighbourhood Centre. This group meets each week except for the school holidays.

They go on outings such as to the Sydney Aquarium or do fun social activities at the centre including cooking.

It is good to be around friends who have similar problems. Just knowing that you are not the only one is reassuring, he said.

It is a relief to be honest with people. A problem shared is a problem halved.

Andrew does voluntary work for the centre by phoning participants on Wednesdays to remind them the group is meeting the following day.

For more information on the Berkeley Social Group phone the centre on 4271 1661.

I think Im gifted. It happened for a reason which is to help other people who are going through the same thing but that line of thinking took me a lot of years to get to, he said.

Im sort of like a magnet, I draw people to me.

Andrew said that he has found several ways to help himself cope. He is a keep photographer with a definite eye for the art.

He always has his camera on hand and takes photos of everything from people to places to pets, whatever inspires him. His favourite location for photography is the rainforest. Like a lot of people Andrew listens to music to relax. He enjoys many different styles and artists including Casey Chambers, Metallica, The Veronicas, Green Day and movie sound tracks.

He describes himself as an earthy person. He

takes pleasure in his pets,

a 6 month old cockatiel and two budgies. He said people are slowly accepting mental illness as a legitimate issue.

People need to know that we are just people who suffer from anxiety and depression more than others. Im a lot more fortunate that a lot of people.