Cards a show of Christmas compassion

FOUR hundred Christmas cards were delivered to patients in mental health units across the region during the recent December Cards project.

Led by mental health consumer consultant Daniela Bradley, the initiative saw community members write words of support, encouragement and positivity to people isolated on wards during the festive season.

The project was founded in the US four years ago and Ms Bradley said she was blown away by its first-time success in Bendigo.

“I didn’t expect that we would have such a great response straight away. We have 80 inpatient beds, and I was hoping that we’d get at least 80 cards so we could give one card to every patient,” she said.

“There were some really beautiful cards, really touching words and such compassion.

“I felt really touched because I’ve struggled with mental illness myself and have felt shame around it in my life.

“To see the community come together like this, it said to me kindness really trumps stigma here.”

The influx of cards allowed workers to distribute them beyond just the psych ward to the dual diagnosis and community care units as well as the youth and adult prevention and recovery care centres.

Some patients in the older person’s unit even opted to put up their cards in their room for display.

“I spoke to the managers of the units over the last couple of days just to get some feedback and they said that the patients absolutely loved them, the response was very positive and that the patients really appreciated getting the cards,” Ms Bradley said.

The Long Gully Neighbourhood Centre’s card making group joined the initiative, as did St Joseph’s Primary School and the Country Women’s Association, all sending in hand made messages of support.

Ms Bradley said she hoped to bring the program back when the festive season rolls around again.