Mental health, fun and positivity

THE MENTAL MOMENTS SHOW A WINNER

The Mental Moments Show is one of the many wonderful, heart-warming initiatives to come out of the pandemic. A free livestreamed event that brings together aged care workers, residents, clients and their families across Australia, it was established by the Royal Freemasons’ Benevolent Institution (RFBI) and broadcast into their 22 villages throughout Mental Health Week in 2020.

Acknowledged in the HESTA Aged Care Awards in 2021, it was expanded across the nation, with the support of the Australian Aged Care Collaboration, a coalition of peak aged care bodies.

“Back in August last year we recognised that our staff were doing it tough. Over the previous two years they had worked through Australia’s worst drought in 100 years, fire, flood and then became part of the frontline health response to a global pandemic,” said RFBI CEO Frank Price

“The Mental Moments Show was our way of ‘Caring for our Carers’, giving our residents and staff something fun to enjoy while at the same time celebrating the wonderful work they do and how important mental health is in aged care.

“We are proud that it has spread right throughout the country.”

Hosted by Max Markson, this year’s Mental Moments Show aired throughout mental health month with a live one-hour show each Friday and shorter episodes every day in between, in October.

Each show featured entertainment, guest speakers, mental health tips and a peek into aged care services across Australia.

Among the amazing performers who joined on the show were Normie Rowe, Kamahl, Angus Gill, Alfio Bonanno, Sam Powers and Vince Sorenti.

Special guests included Dr Hannah Korell, Dr Kim Singline, NSW Governor Mrs Margaret Beazley AC QC and Australian Olympians Peter Bol and Jenna Strauch, as well as a range of sporting celebrities who each expressed their gratitude for the amazing job health care workers have done throughout this pandemic.

The Mental Moments Show has had over 10,000 visitors through the Mental Moments website and YouTube channel since the show launched, with people still tuning in regularly to watch.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has been a very challenging time for age services employees who, as part of the frontline health response, have worked hard to care for and to protect our older Australians,” said Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) CEO Sean Rooney.

“I am proud of our age services workers and admire them for their passion and commitment to get up every day and go to work, to give their best during these tough times. They continue caring and going above and beyond.”

The initiative also received support from Richard Colbeck, Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, who said Mental Moments was a great opportunity to continue the conversation about mental health in aged care, and to celebrate the work of aged care workers.

Max Markson, host of the show, with some delicious Lindt chocolates. The Lindt company donated $25,000 worth of chocolate to give away during.

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Mental Moments included live crosses to aged care homes, retirement villages and the homes of home care clients, including footage of trishaws in Townsville, sculptures and a balloon volleyball in in Perth.

The show included a number of mental health experts and doctors who spoke about the importance of good mental health in aged care and provided tips for how we can recognise when our mental health is slipping and ways in which we can boost it.

“We recognise that spiritual health, regardless of the faith background and mental health, is a vital component of a person’s wellbeing,” said Nicole Hornsby, Executive Director of Baptist Care Australia.

“Right across the country, aged care services are operating a whole range of activities aimed at supporting mental health. Some of these are targeted at residents and clients but others support the care workforce.

“They give their heart and soul to the people they work with, and need to be cared for.”

All the mental health tips provided during the show are now available to watch, or download, on mentalmoments.com.au.

Mental Moments will continue next year—please keep an eye out for it, and how you can be involved. The Starliners, dressed in sparkling 60s outfits, put on a dazzling performance for the final show.

Linda Baraciolli is Communications Advisor and Fusion Editor, Leading Age Services Australia. Watch the 2021 Mental Moments show here: www.mentalmoments.com.au

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