By Gabriella Payne
October is mental health awareness month and in a bid to get the message out there, residents throughout the Cardinia Shire are being encouraged to lace up their shoes and get moving and talking about the importance of overall wellbeing.
Mayur Meshram, a passionate community member and ambassador for the Mental Health Foundation of Australia, said that now more than ever, it was important to check in with one another and make sure we are looking after ourselves, both mentally and physically.
“Victorians have been under lockdown for a long time now, and many of us have struggled during this time,” Mr Meshram said.
“With October being mental health awareness month, it’s the perfect chance to come together [in a Covid safe way], share stories of our own experiences or perhaps help people see the light or at least address that there are deeper roots to the way we feel.”
Having set up a ‘team Cardinia’ walk for mental health page with a number of other community members, Mr Meshram hopes to see lots of locals get out and about this month and show their support for people who may be struggling right now.
“The Mental Health Foundation of Australia are encouraging communities to still get active, reach out and continue to step up to spread awareness,” he said.
“It’s about getting people energised, starting conversations and helping support the cause in whatever way we can.”
Mr Meshram said that the initiative hoped to get “some endorphins and discussions” going in the local community, and hopefully provide people with the opportunity to let their guard down after a difficult couple of years.
“This is a great opportunity to use exercise as a vehicle to talk more deeply,” he said.
“If people can show their support by either signing up to the MHFA’s team Cardinia page, donating to the foundation or just getting up and exercising, then we’ll be moving in the right direction.”
To take part in team Cardinia’s MHFA campaign, head to https://www.walkformentalhealth.com.au/t/teamcardinia
