GET your odd socks on and head to RichmondPRA on Friday for morning tea.
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The Taree team will host a morning tea from 10am until noon on 'Odd Socks Day' and is keen for the community to take part in the light-hearted mental health awareness event.
The morning tea will be held under the trees at the RichmondPRA office at 4/80 Wynter Street in Taree and staff will be wearing odd socks - and you can too.
'Odd Socks Day' is a light-hearted approach to reminding people that anyone, at any time, can have an odd day - particularly when mental health issues are involved.
It is a national campaign and highlights the reality that the stigma of mental illness can have a devastating impact on the lives of people with mental illness and their families, friends and carers. It's still one of the greatest barriers to people seeking help and recovery. The campaign is also promoting five ways people can make a difference in the lives of people suffering mental illness and to the broader issue of community awareness:
o Be a friend - be there, for the ordinary and extraordinary moments
o Be brave - don't tolerate stigma and discrimination
o Be open - share your experiences
o Be informed - know the truths and dispel the myths
o Be good to yourself - recognise the need to look after your own mental wellbeing
RichmondPRA will also use the Odd Socks Day morning tea to promote its 'Brushes with Life' mental health art exhibition which will be launched on October 8.
"These activities are a perfect way to put a spotlight on mental health," RichmondPRA team leader Chris Cassar said.
"Mental health issues affect as many as one in four people during their lives, yet people often don't even know the signs and symptoms. The good news is most people with mental health issues can lead productive and meaningful lives if they get the right help and support. That makes recognition of and discussion of mental health so important."
"Just as important is reducing stigma around mental health. The more people know about and understand mental health the less stigma we have, making it easier for people to recover."
ainslee.dennis@fairfaxmedia.com.au