Connecting the community for a cause

Channel Nine’s Destination Happiness stars Angie Hilton and Chris Mackay will join Art of the Minds and genU to host a mental health seminar on Wednesday, October 23.

To be held at the Grant Pavilion Community Hub, the television presenters are teaming up with local mental health workers to offer community members a day of free education.

Destination Happiness – which is currently airing its third season – was created by Geelong personality Angie Hilton, who has suffered the effects of depression and anxiety.

Co-host Chris Mackay has more than 24 years’ experience running a private psychology practice. “Connected Communities” is one of the 27-odd events part of this month’s Art of the Minds festival.

Charity president Jules Haddock said Connected Communities was about providing accessible tools for people in the community who may be at grips with their own mental health struggles.

“It is where people from the community can learn from the lived experiences with mental illness, carers who support them and researchers.

“It is the meeting of the service sector and community to learn and grow together.”

She also described the guest speakers as “hope models” – people who are unafraid of telling honest stories of recovery from mental illness. Last year’s education day saw more than 120 guests attend, with numbers expected to increase this year.

Other speakers include researcher Adam Walker from Deakin’s Centre for Innovation in Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Treatment (IMPACT). Mr Walker said the best part about the seminar was its effect in bringing the community together.

“It facilitates conversation between groups that did not come together which is really great,” he said.

Connected Communities – which will run from 8.30am-2.30pm – is a free event, but attendees must register online as limited spaces are available. For more information, head to artoftheminds.org.au.