The focus was on Mental Health Month when the Rotary Club of Umina Beach held Hat Day on October 14.
Club members welcomed guest speaker, psychologist Bobby Redman, a former member of Rotary Club of Woy Woy and now a dementia awareness advocate.
Umina Club President, Bruce Croft, said members had worn silly hats and listened to Ms Redman’s presentation on mental health, and the importance of raising awareness and funds.
“Bobby confirmed that through regular annual support for Australian Rotary Health for the last 34 years, Umina Beach Rotary Club had donated $16,678 to the cause,” Croft said.
“Financial support from Rotary for mental health issues is second only to the amount financed by the Government.”
Redman revealed that 50 per cent of the population could have a mental health issue such as depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety attacks, with the annual treatment costs at $20B.
She said the Australian Rotary Health objective was to prevent mental illness from occurring by supporting healthy minds, bodies and communities through research and awareness.
Funds donated by Rotary Clubs like the Umina Beach branch each year help with this research and public education, with the focus on eliminating mental health stigmas within the community.
“Each year Umina Rotary donates funds to Australian Rotary Health to go towards mental health,” Croft said.
“Umina Rotary also supports the mental health of young males through the Top Blokes Foundation.”
Source:
Newsletter, Oct 21
Rotary Club of Umina Beach