Prioritise your mental health with free workshops

Free community workshops to uplift and engage will take place across three local towns in August and September.
Organised by Baw Baw Shire Council in partnership with GriefTalks and Mindful Aus, the workshops are designed to support locals aged 18 years and above with their emotional wellbeing. Participants will also learn strategies and tools to implement into their own lives.
A focus of the sessions in Longwarry, Yarragon and Trafalgar will be how to navigate all forms of grief and loss. This could include loss of a loved one, changing relationships, loss through natural disaster, job loss and other change and loss experienced throughout life.
The unique workshops aims to strengthen connections and open meaningful dialogue, all the while challenging common misconceptions about grief. They are designed to bring communities closer through a combination of education, story-telling and hands on activities.
Baw Baw Shire mayor Annemarie McCabe said these sessions were a step towards reducing the stigma often associated with mental health. She said they would also address a crucial need to help residents feel more supported and learn skills to better navigate difficult times in their lives.
"I'd encourage people to sign up, not just so that they can learn how to take care of their own mental health, but also so that they can share their new knowledge with friends and loved ones and be an advocate for others experiencing tough times," Cr McCabe said.
The free community workshops will run for two-and-a-half hours.
Workshops will be held at Longwarry Public Hall on Wednesday, August 14 and Thursday, September 19; Yarragon Bowls Club on Wednesday, August 28; and, Bettermentall Hub in Trafalgar on Wednesday, September 25.
Places are limited and bookings are essential.
To register, visit events.humanitix.com/grieftalks-baw-baw-shire-council-in-partnership-with-grieftalks-and-mindfull-aus