Media Release For Immediate Release Date 2nd October 2014 ‘Mental Health starts with me’ What is your promise this Mental Health Week? RDGP and headspace Berri celebrated Mental Health - ‘Mental health starts with me’ through the provision of an education session from Ms Pamela Wakefield-Semmens a Clinical Psychologist who provides a visiting service from Melbourne to the Riverland. Whilst the provision of counselling services is core business for RDGP and headspace Berri, it is important that staff take time to develop their skills, and undertake professional development, so that they can better meet the needs of the community. Mental health weeks theme of ‘Mental health starts with me’ is a timely reminder that even those people providing mental health services, need to be proactive and take some time to focus on themselves. RDGP’s Mental Health Lead Courtney Ling stated “It is important to RDGP that staff working to assist our community to manage their mental health, are proactive in developing and refine their skills to continue to provide excellent clinical services”. Mental Health Week is being celebrated around Australia from October 6 th to 12, 2013. With one in five Australian’s experiencing mental illness this year, everyone has a role to play in the promotion of good mental health. It doesn’t matter if you have a mental illness, care for someone with a mental illness, know someone with a mental illness or just care about good mental health, you can be part of this year’s campaign. All Australian’s are asked to start by writing a mental health promise to themselves. It doesn’t have to be long; it just needs to be meaningful. Promises can be uploaded to the Mental Health Council of Australia website and on facebook. Further information regarding Mental Health Week or to make your promise during Mental Health week visit http://www.mhca.org.au/ RDGP RDGP was established as the Riverland Division of General Practice Inc under the Commonwealth Government’s Divisions of General Practice program in 1994 as an independent, membership based organisation. Since that time it has evolved into a Primary Health Care organisation with a focus on providing integrated and coordinated locally focused and responsive services in line with locally identified health needs. RDGP supports its membership - the Primary Health Care workforce including GPs, Specialists, Nurses and Allied Health Professionals - to enhance the patient journey and improve patient care. For further information or comment please contact Kerril Vowles [email protected] Ph: 8582 3823