Mental Health Association Central Australia

10/11/2025

MHACA attended the Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association Rural Mental Health Conference in Hobart last week. More than 300 people from across the country came together to share stories, research, and new initiatives in mental health and su***de prevention and postvention in rural and remote contexts.

Nicole (CEO) and Josefina (Marketing Officer) presented “Alice Springs – more than just bad media: mental health in a remote context”, sharing reflections from the Northern Territory and highlighting the work we do at MHACA.

If you need support, talk to someone you trust or call Lifeline on 13 11 14, 13 Yarn on 13 92 76 for 24/7 crisis support.

***deprevention

03/11/2025

Check out MHACA's November E-Newsletter Mental Health Matters - https://mailchi.mp/c6177c586910/mental-health-matters-5864119

02/11/2025

FREE SU***DE PREVENTION TRAINING

👉 safeTALK
A four-hour training that helps people be more alert to someone thinking about su***de and more confident in connecting them to further help. Using a simple, effective model, safeTALK empowers everyone to make a difference.

When: Wednesday 19 November
Time: Arrive 8:15am - 12:30pm
Where: Red Hot Arts, 67 Bath Street (diagonal across from Kmart)
Catering: Tea, coffee, and morning tea provided

Register at https://events.humanitix.com/safetalk-19th-november

For more information email training@mhaca.org.au or call 8950 4600

31/10/2025

We had a spooky morning today at MHACA 🕷️👻🎃✨

Hope you all have a great weekend! Remember, if you need some support over the weekend reach out to friends and family or try some of the 24-hour phone and online services:

Lifeline 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au
Lifeline text service 0477 13 11 14
13 Yarn 13 92 76 www.13yarn.org.au
Kids Helpline Official 1800 55 1800 www.kidshelpline.com.au
MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78 www.mensline.org.au
1800RESPECT 1800 737 732 www.1800respect.org.au
QLife Australia 1800 184 527 (3pm-12pm AEST) www.qlife.org.au
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 www.beyondblue.org.au

If a life is in danger, call 000.

30/10/2025

FREE SU***DE PREVENTION TRAINING

👉 ASIST (Applied Su***de Intervention Skills Training)

2-day interactive training program which teaches participants to recognise when someone may be at risk of su***de and work with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety.
Open to everyone aged 16+ — no professional background required.

When: Tuesday 4 & Wednesday 5 November
Time: 8:15am – 4:30pm
Where: Red Hot Arts, 67 Bath Street (diagonal across from Kmart)
Catering: Morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea provided

Register at https://events.humanitix.com/i-asist-indigenous-applied

For more information email training@mhaca.org.au or call 8950 4600.

28/10/2025

27/10/2025

📢 We warmly invite you to MHACA’s upcoming Special General Meeting and Annual General Meeting.

🗓️ Tuesday 18 November
🕒 5 pm
📍 14 Lindsay Avenue, East Side. Please park at the Netball courts or IGA carpark and enter via MHACA’s back gate.

The Special General Meeting will begin at 5pm, where we will be seeking membership endorsement of changes to MHACA’s constitution to modernise the constitution and more accurately reflect the work of the organisation in 2025. This will be followed by the Annual General Meeting where MHACA’s annual report will be presented, as well as the election of Board members.

Light refreshments will be available.

Please RSVP by Friday 14 November at https://events.humanitix.com/mhaca-agm.

For more information call 8950 4600 or email info@mhaca.org.au.

26/10/2025

🧠 Mental Health Monday: Connection and Community 🧠

🫶🏾 Feeling connected to others is a big part of staying mentally healthy. People who care, listen, and support can help us to feel safe, strong and like we belong.

Sometimes we might feel lonely even when we’re around people.
That’s okay — it’s something many people experience.

If this happens, it can help to yarn with someone you trust, spend time with people who lift you up, or join in with community activities.

Being part of a community doesn’t have to be big or loud. It might be:
🫶🏾 A regular catch-up with a mate
🫶🏾 A group you follow online that shares your interests
🫶🏾 A local sports team, art group or cultural activity
🫶🏾 A safe space where you can be yourself

Today, take a minute to think about your connections and community. Do you feel supported by the people around you? Can you yarn with them when things feel tough? Are there places you can go to feel like you belong?

If not, try:
🫶🏾 Reaching out to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while
🫶🏾 Join a local group or activity that interests you
🫶🏾 Spend time with people who make you feel safe and valued
🫶🏾 Come in for a yarn with our SEWB team – we're here to listen and help you find ways to feel more connected.

To make an appointment with DDHS SEWB, call (08) 8942 5400.

Stay healthy you mob!

24/10/2025

More than 500 people joined us at Stress Less in The Plaza last week to learn about ways to support their mental health and wellbeing. Attendees enjoyed a dance fit session, free massages, live music, arts and crafts, puppy cuddles and other fun activities.

15 organisations hosted stalls and shared information about the supports available for people in Mparntwe/Alice Springs.

A huge thank you to Kumalie Kngwarraye for the Welcome to Country, Mayor Asta Hill for her address and to Northern Territory PHN, Plaza Wellbeing Centre, Foodbank SA & Central Australia, Reclink Australia, Alice Plaza, 8CCC Community Radio 102.1fm - Alice Springs & Tennant Creek, as well as all the stakeholders and community members who came along to stress less with us.

Stress Less in the Plaza is the feature event of Mental Health Week and is organised by MHACA with the support of our partner organisations, Northern Territory PHN and Alice Plaza.

24/10/2025

It's Invisible Disabilities Week (19–25 Oct), which shines a light on neurological, cognitive, sensory, and chronic pain disorders.

ADHD is just one of many hidden disabilities that can impact daily life that needs more recognition, empathy and support.

Started by Invisible Disabilities Association, this week is a reminder that you don’t have to see a person's disability to support them.

Look out for the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower 🌻 — a symbol that someone may need extra time, help, or understanding.

Learn more: https://hdsunflower.com/au/

23/10/2025

📢Attention Alice Springs ladies!

Exciting News — Starting next month, we're teaming up with Multicultural Community Services of Central Australia (MCSCA) to host Drop-in Sessions for Women — all about your workplace rights! 💼💬

Want to learn more or have questions about:
💵 Pay or unpaid wages
🍼 Pregnancy, parenting, and work
💻 Flexible work arrangements
📅 Leave entitlements
📉 Redundancy or unfair dismissal
💰 Superannuation — and more?

We’re here to help! Bring your lunch or grab a cuppa and join us for a free, friendly, and informative chat.

🗓 When: 1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month
🕧 Time: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
📍 Where: MCSCA, 5b Wills Terrace, Alice Springs

All women welcome — no appointment needed!

22/10/2025

Thanks to everyone who joined our Mental Health Week workshops last week! It was great to connect through ceramic painting, basket weaving, and polymer clay making. Participants had the chance to unwind while learning something new!

Remember — taking time for self-care and connecting with others is an important part of supporting your wellbeing 💛

If you or someone you know needs some support, reach out to friends and family or try some of the 24-hour phone and online services:

Lifeline 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au
Lifeline text service 0477 13 11 14
13 Yarn 13 92 76 www.13yarn.org.au
Kids Helpline Official 1800 55 1800 www.kidshelpline.com.au
MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78 www.mensline.org.au
1800RESPECT 1800 737 732 www.1800respect.org.au
QLife Australia 1800 184 527 (3pm-12pm AEST) www.qlife.org.au
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 www.beyondblue.org.au

If a life is in danger, call 000.