Community Recognition Notice

Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG (Macquarie Fields): — Extended lockdown and the financial, social and emotional impact of COVID-19 on our lives has given rise to the shadow mental health pandemic in our community.

To continue the important conversation on mental health at this time, I was delighted to deliver my 2021 Mental Health Matters video series.

A special thank you to the guest speakers: Cheryl Paradella of Beautiful Minds South-West Sydney; Associate Professor Jill Newby from the Black Dog Institute; Dr Paul Fung of Uniting; and Ashley de Silva, CEO of ReachOut Australia.

My video series covered issues such as carers, the pandemic and natural disasters, self-harm, and mental health support for young people and their families.

The series concluded in October – Mental Health Month, an opportunity to raise awareness and reduce stigma.

While we navigate a way forward and learn to live with COVID-19, urgent action is needed to deal with rising rates of mental illness, which will cast a shadow for decades to come.

Now, more than ever, we must remember that we are not alone and, importantly, there are people who can help.

Together, let's continue the conversation because Mental Health Matters.