Mental health barbecue

Coral and son Ross get into the spirit of the day with their colourful Christmas attire.

By LACHLAN MOORHEAD

MONASH Health is working day and night to address the negative stigma that can be attached to mental health illnesses.
The employees who work in this space understand how important it is to remind people living in the City of Casey that they are not alone when it comes to mental illness, and that there is always a shoulder to lean on.
This is why Monash Health held a special Mental Health barbecue last Thursday at Wilson’s Botanical Garden, open to both clients and staff.
Mental Health Clinician Heather Mikronis said two groups from Monash Health attended last week’s lunch – Casey Community Mental Health, which operates at Casey Hospital, and Cranbourne Community Mental Health, which is based at the Cranbourne Clinic.
“Our work involves assisting people in the community, either as a step down when discharged from hospital, or to provide case management as an intervention to try and prevent hospitalisation being necessary,” she said.
Ms Mikronis said the clients had greatly appreciated the barbecue, with roughly 80 people attending the event.