March for mental health

RECORD crowds are expected to throw their support behind local mental health agencies by marching at next Wednesday’s ERMHA and MIDDWAY Community Festival and Walk for Mental Health.
Eastern Regions Mental Health Association (ERMHA) and Mental Illness Doesn’t Discriminate – What About You? (MIDDWAY) are local mental health organisations providing support services for mentally ill people and their families.
They are also campaigning, with help from Star, for people to Stop the Stigma surrounding mental illness in a bid to have the State and Federal Governments inject more funds into mental health services.
The march will begin at 11am from Dandenong Park, taking walkers on a tour through the heart of Dandenong and ending at the Dandenong Market, where a lively festival will be waiting.
Free healthy food and water, free neck and shoulder massages, information stalls and guest speakers will form part of the festival.
This year’s theme is carers and families, and Greater Dandenong mayor Peter Brown said the issue affected all residents.
“Everyone is vulnerable to mental health concerns,” he said.
“No matter how old you are, what colour your skin happens to be, whether you are male or female, what your religious beliefs are or how much money you make, mental illness doesn’t discriminate.
“It can and does affect anybody, anytime, anywhere.”