Torquay Library hosting events for National Mental Health Month

THE Torquay Library is holding a series of events to help people learn more about mental illness as part of National Mental Health Month.

On Tuesday they held Chirpee’s Choice – The Anxious Bird presented by Art of the Minds.

Chirpee teaches primary aged students about mental health, along with Gordon the Emu, Al the Masked Owl, Larry the Lyrebird, and Queen Cassie the Cassowary.

Saturday, October 5 will see the library host a Healthy Men, Healthy Communities – On the Low Down workshop.

This session will run from 1.30-4.30pm and teach attendees how to “be there” for their mates and themselves.

The event is aimed at men 18 and over and focuses on the social and cultural factors that impact peoples mental health.

On Thursday October 10, Torquay Library will run a program on Mental Health and Young People.

Expert panelists will speak about how to support young people dealing with mental health issues, and how to get support when looking after a loved one.

This event will run from 6.30-7.30pm.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed that in 2018 suicide accounted for the highest number of years of potential life lost out of any cause of death in Australia.

This is because its median age of death is considerably lower than other leading causes of death.

For more information on these events and others being run by the Geelong Region Library Corporation, head to grlc.vic.gov.au/whats-on.

* Support is available for those who may be distressed by phoning Lifeline 13 11 14, the Suicide Call Back Line on 1800 659 467, Mensline on 1300 789 978 or the Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.