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Recovery Day

Once a year, A Place to Belong holds a day-long series of workshops and key-note speakers on topical issues around mental health and recovery. These events are offered at low cost to provide inspiring recovery-oriented training for anyone interested in mental health. Recovery  days are open to all, including people experiencing mental health challenges, their allies, friends and supporters, mental health service professionals, carers, and any members of the community interested in mental health. Typically, Recovery days are held in the second half of the year.

Watch the events calendar for dates and further information about the 2012 Recovery Day.

A report from the 2011 Recovery Day

The 5th A Place to Belong Recovery Day at St Aidan’s School at Corinda was a great success! Moving to a new, much larger venue proved to be a positive decision. The auditorium capacity of 200 enabled many more to attend though there was still a small waiting list. It also made possible a greater range of workshops, thus catering for diverse interests and needs.

Recovery Day caters for people who have a lived experience, friends, family and professionals in the sector, and is perhaps unique in Queensland.

A highlight was the quality of our guest speakers. Thanks Helen Glover and Sharon Stocker for your inspiring presentations!

People who are part of the A Place to Belong network expended plenty of energy on the day and before – setting up workshop spaces, painting signs, providing a listening ear, desktop publishing, keeping the kitchen buzzing, leading workshops and registering attendees.

Again this year, funding obtained through the Community Mental Health Branch of the Queensland Department of Communities and the Mental Health Council allowed the organizers to subsidise the travel and accommodation costs of consumers and carers from regional areas. Attendees came from as far away as Mackay, Hervey Bay and Gladstone.

At the end of the morning sessions the annual A Place to Belong Inclusion Awards were presented to people who model ways of involving others with mental health challenges into their community. The emotions were high and the applause loud as stories were recounted.

Many people left Recovery Day inspired and with greater knowledge and hope. The high proportion of Feedback responses received from those who attended will be helpful when it comes to preparation for the next Recovery Day.

Some responses to the statement “What I liked about Recovery Day was…” included:

“The sharing involving trust, love and acceptance”

“The atmosphere of being’ at-one’ with all people there”

“The real approach to recovery”

“Inspirational key-note addresses devoid of academia and jargon plus comprehensive workshops”

“Ran on time. Good speakers. Welcoming. Helpful.”

“Suellen’s workshop was amazing. Loved it!”

“Being able to be with people who have some understanding of where you are at.”

“Good venue and facilities. Sharing of personal journeys.”

“Validating the positives of experience.”

There were a number of great suggestions for future topics so keep a lookout for news about 2012 early next year!