Here we are with our third issue of Athenie’s Angels newsletter. As you know our goal is to increase knowledge and provide a safe place for sharing and discussion. If you or anyone you know needs skills and tools to deal with life struggles, please contact us.  We would love your feedback and you can reach us at: enquiries@atheniesangels.org.au. More information is available on our website at www.atheniesangels.org.au. We have included a list of resources at the bottom of this newsletter.

Spotlight on Stigma

We met with Glenn Broom recently and want to share his insights and wisdom with you.  Glenn has built a career over the past 30 years in community service focusing on people with housing, employment, mental health and addiction issues. One of the biggest problems for people suffering with mental health issues is stigma – negative attitudes towards people who are already suffering.  And that can be self-stigma or public stigma or professional stigma or institutional stigma. Most people living with mental illness have been blamed for their condition. This stigma has to be addressed and replaced with loving understanding. We can all join together to fight (and eliminate) the stigmas that make the wellness journey even harder for those who are already suffering with mental health issues. Each and everyone of us can make a difference by being and living Stigma Free.

How do you fight stigma?

Glenn has some sound advice for us.

• Talk openly about mental health
• Educate yourself and others
• Be conscious of language
• Encourage equality between physical and mentalillness
• Show compassion for those with mental illness
• Choose empowerment over shame
• Be honest about treatment
• Let the media know when they are being stigmatizing
• Don’t harbor self stigma.

Help and support is always available at www.atheniesangels.org.au

Read a Good Book and Be Kind (and Eat Cake)

The Boy,The Mole, The Fox and The Horse by Charlie Mackesy

Charlie says this book is for everyone and you can read it from the beginning or the middle or the end – whatever suits you. Because we are all different and can find wonder in the world – if we look for it and embrace it. The messages and the illustrations are uplifting. And simple. And profound. And appropriate for both children and adults alike.

The Boy in the book is lonely at first. Until he befriends the Mole. They make room in their adventures for the Fox (who is wary because he has been hurt by life). The Horse rounds out their little pack as they explore their world together. Charlie hopes the readers will be kind to themselves and others. And be brave enough to ask for help when they need it. The Horse advises, “Asking for help isn’t giving up. It’s refusing to give up.”

The book was published in 2019 and adapted to film in 2022, winning the 2023 Academy Award for Best Short Animated Film.

Embrace Art and Music – they have the potential to heal

Josh Muir is an Indigenous Australian artist who was prolific during his lifetime. He died much too soon from natural causes in 2022 at the age of 30. While his death was a tragedy for his family, all who knew and loved him and the art world at large, his life will always be celebrated through his art. He is being honoured in a magnificent retrospective exhibit – Forever I Live – at the Koorie Heritage Trust in Melbourne from now until July 14.

Josh struggled with addiction and mental illness. He contemplated suicide but instead found strength in community and the love of his family. He knew how to ask for help.  And to offer to help to others in need. He did this through his art and his mental health activism.

Music was part of his artistic inspiration. A favourite was Let Me Love You sung by Canadian Justin Bieber (see an excerpt below). Josh discreetly included some of the lyrics in one of his paintings called Home which he created in2016. You can see this work at the Koorie Heritage Trust and get to know more about Josh and his struggle and his joys (his life partner and their children) and his successes.

We were burning on the edge of something beautiful
Something beautiful
Say, go through the darkest of days
Never let you go,never let me down
Don’t you give up, nah-nah-nah
I won’t give up, nah-nah-nah
Let me love you
Let me love you

Ongoing Event – Please Join Us

We launched our Emotional Resiliency Building on April 1. It is a 13-week program addressing a range of topics including stress management and self-care practices. We would love to have you join us forfuture sessions on Monday evenings in Carlton.  You can register on the contact page at www.atheniesangels.org.au or by contacting us at enquiries@atheniesangels.org.au

Mental Health Resources

The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed 42 percent of people who needed to see a psychiatrist either delayed or did not see one in 2022-2023.  We strongly encourage you not to wait and to seek help as soon as possible.  Athenie’s Angels Australia Ltd is here to support you in your struggles on your journey to embrace mental wellbeing.

Reach out!

We are a space of hope!

Researcher/Writer, Denise Gillen