The SA Mental Health Commission developed community connections between history and mental health and promoted these during South Australia’s History Festival, and other events over the last 18 months.
The partnership increased mental health promotion and literacy via the 2019 History Festival, the biggest to date with 695 events and 158,500 event visits across metro and regional SA, with a reach of over 400,000 via print and social media.
The Commission is thrilled by the formation of new community mental health and history community connection, as well as the History Trust Chair’s formal acknowledgement of the important connection between mental health and history at the opening of the 2019 History Festival Launch.
During 2019 Mental Health Week, the SAMHC’s collaboration with the History Trust continued as co-hosts of the ‘Voting for Wellbeing’ celebration of 125 years of women’s suffrage in South Australia and discussion of women’s experience of the relationship between wellbeing and democracy in SA.
The SAMHC:
- Co-hosted ‘Voting for Wellbeing’ a panel event celebrating 125 years of women’s suffrage in South Australia and it’s connection to Wellbeing with the Centre of Democracy, SA History Trust during Mental Health Week 2019
- Provided a Commissioner’s statement in the History Festival 2019 Program (with a reach of over 400,000) linking mental health and the participation in History Festival
- Participated in and shared 2019 History Festival events on social media including a ‘top-picks’ blog
- Community Advisory Committee member Ellie Hodges delivered an ‘I am a Feminist ‘talk during the 2019 Festival
- Hosted a guest blog by Manager of the History Festival Karen Blackwood on the SAMHC website
- Co-produced two ‘I am an Activist Talks’ with The Centre of Democracy featuring Professor Nicholas Procter and Matthew Ball hosted during Mental Health Week 2018
- Worked with the History Trust of SA to develop a ‘Discover your place’ information sheet for Mental Health Week 2018
Links to the SA Mental Health Strategic Plan 2017–2022:
Strategic Direction 1:
Strengthen mental health and wellbeing and prevent mental illness through high impact promotion, prevention and early-in-life intervention strategies.
Community education to improve awareness and reduce stigma.
For further information: