Small communities can make a big difference. With the backing of the Freemasons Foundation, LET’S TALK is proactively working in South West Victoria to improve wellbeing and community capacity to support their own.

Grassroots activation with a focus on creating culture change is the LET’S TALK Foundation’s mandate. By increasing community awareness and knowledge surrounding mental health, they are changing the culture of silence that continues to stop those with a mental illness from seeking
help and communities from supporting those suffering.

Mental illness doesn’t discriminate, and the tight-knit Terang community of farming families, businesses and industry has seen all too well the toll mental ill-health can take.

The LET’S TALK Terang Small-Town Initiative, has made positive inroads through a pilot program that aims to build “buy-in” from key community members and engage the entire community in open conversation about mental illness through shared lived experience.

The key vehicles for breaking mental health stigma are; building community capacity to talk openly about mental ill-health, supporting those
who suffer and encouraging help-seeking. The aim is to achieve this through community presentations, education and consultation.

Since July, LET’S TALK members have supported the development of a steering group to look at the specific mental health needs faced by the Terang Community and to build a plan to meet these challenges and support the health and wellbeing of their community.

The program looks at four key pillars that build a framework of support within the community and ensure ownership and engagement and most importantly, sustainability through a bottom-up, locally driven approach.
Part of the planning outcomes include delivering 14, LET’S TALK Presentations between September and December.

To date, 13 of 14 presentations have been delivered, and they are on track to exceed this goal, which include schools, businesses, medical and sporting groups. Organisations who have participated so far include; Terang GP, Terang Lions Club Terang Mortlake Health Service Terang VET, Grass growers and Mt Noorat Freighters, Ridley Agriproducts, Terang P12, Probus
Terang, Rotary Club, Terang Men’s Shed, Cooinda, Terang RSL and the Terang Basketball Association.

A team of volunteer local Lived Experience Speakers support the program by sharing their own story of struggle and growth so others in the community who feel isolated due to ill-health can see they are not alone and that their mental illness is normal and, in many cases, treatable or can be better managed if they open up and seek help.

LET’S TALK Foundation Co-ordinator Jacinta Roache said local leaders who are part of the pilothave given highly positive feedback and the number of organisations reaching out to the Foundation continues to grow”.

Phil Hose, General Manager at Cooinda Disability Services, one of Terang’s larger employers, regularly engages staff training and support programs, commented that “of greatest impact has been the Let’s Talk session; real people, real stories and the generosity to share their own experience.

Of the 31 feedback forms received, all were positive. 14 rated the session as good, 17 rated it excellent. The session really got conversations flowing and people sharing their own experience over lunch after the presentation.

In the days following the presentation, staff has also reflected to me on the value of the session, the quality of both speakers, and in particular, the
storytelling nature of both, combined with the sharing of facts and information about mental illness and how to look after yourself.

The Terang community, like any, has been impacted by mental illness and suicide, but stigma remains a huge barrier to talking and sharing life’s
challenges and our own experiences of depression, grief, loss, stress, or poor mental health.

As one of the region’s larger employers (165 staff) the health and safety of our staff are critical. Multiplying our staff with their families’ friends and networks allows us to spread the word about mental health and wellbeing in the region”.

Response to each presentation has been different and powerful. Jo beard, Corangamite Shire Councillor and committed lived experience speaker for the Foundation, recently spoke to families from the Terang P-12 School and, despite having presented many times, was humbled and privileged to be part of this small group experience.

Jo said,” The presentation gathering was absolutely incredible. I think I went away with one of my greatest feelings post presentations
yet. 3 incredibly brave students sat there and shared their own experiences following my own.

They were so brave, honest, raw and insightful in their deliveries. I felt so privileged to be in their presence as they spoke up. Such a powerful feat amongst their peers, and their supportive families, which I have no doubt was difficult for all of them, but so very very cool that their families are right beside them, sharing their journeys with them.

I know for a fact we now have three more young people joining forces with LT, as well as their families”. Current research suggests that rural communities are more at risk with higher rates of stigma, limited access to resources, and often isolating lifestyles. Through lived experience presentations, education, and promotion, LET’S TALK continues to grow using the principles of public participation.

The Colac-Otway LET’S TALK satellite group continues to make inroads into the needs of its community. Mel Duve’, Community Activation Officer for the Colac group, and the team of hard-working and passionate volunteers have finalised a month of community activation as part of the October, Walk the Walk for LET’S TALK initiative.

250 people registered to participate by getting active, talking, walking, and sharing their journey. The event was supported by a well-planned social media and marketing campaign. Business and community contribution
was considerable, with various prizes and giveaways along the way.

To find out more,
visit https://www.facebook.com/letstalkcolac
Colac LET’S TALK Event Committee and supporter.

The push to expand the Foundation’s reach into Hamilton and the Southern Grampians has taken a welcome step forward with the addition of Abbie Powers to LET’S TALK. Abbie brings experience and knowledge of mental health to her role, along with a determination to make a difference in
her community.

Over coming weeks members of the Hamilton and district community will come together to learn about how they can support and grow the LETS TALK initiative.

The demands placed on an already overstretched mental health sector mean more than ever the proactive work of LET’S TALK is critical. Despite the significant number of volunteer hours that go into the initiative, funding to administer and coordinate the program is needed.

The considerable momentum the Foundation has gained throughout South West Victoria has only been possible with financial support from the Freemasons Foundation. Let’s Talk is very grateful for the Freemasons’ ongoing commitment to their important work.

For more information on the Foundation:
Email: Hello@letstalkaustralia.org
WWW: www.letstalkaustralia.org
Facebook: @letstalksouthwest