Likemind Orange

There is a growing body of evidence that dietary patterns can have a role to play in preventing mental health disorders and promoting psychological wellbeing. Here are some suggestions for specific factors people can think about when choosing what to eat.

The weekend's nearly here! Why not try out something new? Here are some of the events and activities you could check out around Orange over the next couple of days: - The inaugural AGM of the Animal Welfare League (NSW) Orange, Saturday 11-1.30 https://www.facebook.com/events/273241283 400301/ - Exhibition opening of 'Connections' at the Orange Regional Gallery, Saturday 6-8pm: https://www.facebook.com/events/713335925 683718/ - Family Games Afternoon with The Clever Owl Gaming, Sunday 3-6pm: https://www.facebook.com/events/215446091 1295350/

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Can you help us reach more people so we can promote mental wellbeing and let the community know that LikeMind is here when they or someone they know is having a hard time with mental health issues? Find the "Invite Friends" option on the page (in mobile apps, swipe the menu near the top of the page until you find "Community") and make sure to invite everyone who would be interested - especially people who live in and around Orange.
Thanks again for your support!

Members of the LikeMind team joined the Orange Region Suicide Prevention Network and other service providers to take to the streets and encourage people to connect with others and open the door to meaningful conversations

Asking someone whether they're doing okay can be daunting, and one of the big things can be not being sure how to handle things if they tell you that they're not. Here's some great advice about how we can all approach these conversations - it doesn't require specialised training and your role isn't to try to fix the problems, but to ask the question, listen to the answer, encourage action (including talking to a GP or mental health professional) if it might help, and staying connected with the person by checking in

Today is R U OK Day where we are inspired and empowered to meaningfully connect with the people around us and support anyone struggling with life.
'Sometimes, we can feel apprehensive or unprepared for a conversation where the person may say, “no I’m not ok.” And that’s ok. You’ve got what it takes to navigate that conversation and show them they’re supported by following the steps in this video'.
#AftercareAU #LikeMind #LikeMindWaggaWagga #RUOKDay2018 #mentalhealth #mentalhealthaustralia #suicideprevention

As well as the teams having conversations around town tomorrow, there's an information stand at the Library you can check out!

Did you pick up last Thursday's edition of Orange City Life? Here's the feature on the Orange Region Suicide Prevention Network team's plans for R U OK Day tomorrow, as well as the Bunnings toolbox session on Friday morning. If you see one of the roving teams around town tomorrow, make sure to say 'hi' and have a chat about how we can all take steps to check in with others and form meaningful connections!

OCTEC Limited is a partner in the LikeMind Orange consortium. For more than 40 years, they've worked with people and employers to bridge the gap and create strategies to help people overcome barriers related to their mental health diagnoses and find fulfilling work. You can read and watch videos about OCTEC's work at the WayAhead - Mental Health Association NSW website.

This week's #sharethejourney2018 tip - catching up with others over a meal is a great way to build social connections, share social and emotional support and feel a sense of satisfaction and belonging.
Research shows that although most people agree that sharing a meal is a good way to bring people closer together, on average adults will eat almost half of their weekly meals alone. We can all look for opportunities to sit down with others and enjoy a meal

Have you accessed LikeMind Orange's services? If so, we would appreciate your feedback as part of an evaluation being conducted by an external organisation.
The Your Experience of Service (YES) questionnaire gathers information about your experience of care. It aims to help mental health services and consumers to work together to build better services. Please fill in the survey to help the evaluators explore how the LikeMind initiative has impacted on your quality of life and access to services.

This evening's Topic Tuesday forum will talk about loneliness, including how it feels and strategies we can put in place to deal with it. It's a text-based discussion forum - you can just visit the forum from 7pm to connect with the conversation, or if you click through and hit the Like button on the forum page now, you'll get a reminder tonight!

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day, and the theme is "Working Together to Prevent Suicide". We all have a role to play and together we can collectively address and prevent suicidal behaviour - through collaboration and having meaningful conversations, we can all help to support those around us. And connecting with the #WSPD2018 theme, remember that this Thursday we'll be joining others to connect with the Orange community for R U OK Day

It's the second weekend of spring and there are some great opportunities to get out, experience something different or connect with people in Orange, including: - Orange Farmers Market, Saturday 8.30-12 in the Naylor Pavilion at Orange Showground (gold coin entry) - monthly Open Day at Colour City Creatives Gallery and Studios - check out two floors of art in two galleries and twelve working studios, Saturday 10-4 at Orange East Fork (2b Peisley St): https://www.facebook.com/...events/178626 389447196/ - Lakecare planting day at Lake Canobolas, Sunday 10-1 - help plant some native trees and grasses and share a BBQ lunch: https://www.facebook.com/events/237908143 557834/
Whatever you choose to do, have a great weekend!
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Your Thursday caffeine shot can help build a crisis centre for women and children escaping domestic violence in Orange. Housing Plus has already raised $2.2 million to establish a purpose-built crisis centre, and on Thursday cafes and bakeries all over town will contribute $1 for every coffee sold. Click through to the A Shot of Support event for the full list of participating stores

It’s Women’s Health Week and today’s focus is looking after your own mental wellbeing. Are you always looking after the needs of others? Or overlooking your own self-care needs? Check out the advice on the website, and there’s a video discussion with Women's Health Week ambassador and psychologist Caroline Anderson - you can tune in live at 1pm or watch the recording any time later on

How great are the R U OK Day trolleys looking? They'll be all around Orange next Thursday with teams of friendly volunteers - including the LikeMind team - chatting with people and encouraging them to stay connected and have meaningful conversations with friends, family and colleagues