Bunbury Mental Health Week celebrations on track as community cycles to encourage conversation

Bunbury residents got their sweat on for a wheelie good cause at the weekend as they helped raise awareness for mental health.

Bunbury MLA Don Punch officially opened Mental Health Week in Bunbury on Saturday at Big Swamp Parkland, where hundreds came together to take part in the community ride.

Participants cycled, walked or jogged the 2km track to help encourage physical activity and begin the conversation about mental health and breaking the stigma.

Hosted in a joint initiative between peak body for mental health WA Association for Mental Health and peak cycling body WestCycle, the day included pump tracks, decorating bikes, food trucks, mental wellbeing resources and family fun activities.

More than 150 cyclists departed from the Dolphin Discovery Centre on Sunday for the FONDO Series Round 3 as part of the weekend’s festivities.

This year’s Mental Health Week theme is “Mental health starts with our children” to raise awareness that life experiences at a young age will have a lasting impact on mental health as someone grows.

WAAMH CEO Taryn Harvey said the theme was an opportunity to remind the community of the critical importance childhood years played in setting a foundation for lifelong mental wellbeing.

“Positive mental health gives children a sense of security and contentment, facilitates positive social interactions, and enables the steady development of critical competencies and life skills,” she said.

“The early years represent the fastest period of brain growth and development, marking a time of rapid change; and research shows how we raise, educate, support, engage, influence, and interact with babies, toddlers and children matters a great deal.

“When children have what they need to develop well in the early years, they can thrive and be healthy now and throughout their lives.

“We have a crucial window to set them up for life and prevent mental health issues developing later in adulthood or their teens.”

For details on Mental Health Week Bunbury events, visit mentalhealthweek.org.au.