Delicious gourmet hot dogs were the flavour of the day when staff at Bundaberg and Hervey Bay Hospitals gathered during October to acknowledge Mental Health Week (3 – 11 October) themed Build Community, Build Wellbeing.
Gourmet Hot Dog Day was organised by the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service Mental Health teams to highlight an important message about shattering the stigma around mental health.
Mental Health Community Engagement Facilitator Georgie Moshudis said Gourmet Hot Dog Day is held annually and has become a much-loved event that staff look forward to each year.
“It provided a great opportunity during Mental Health Week for staff to step away from their work and connect,” Georgie said.
“The event also helped promote conversations about mental health, encouraging people to check in with one another and help to reduce the stigma that can sometimes make these discussions difficult.
“Activities like this remind us that creating opportunities for connection and open conversations can play an important role in supporting wellbeing across our workplace.”
Adding to the enjoyment this year at Bundaberg Hospital was the presence of the local Upbeat Arts Choir who entertained staff while they lined up for their delicious hot dogs. Upbeat Arts has been running creative arts programs in Queensland for 12 years and started its first choir in South Brisbane. Today they run five choirs across Brisbane, North Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Bundaberg which is its first regional program.
Program Leader Amy Della-Torre said the main goal of the Upbeat Arts choir is to provide group recovery programs for adults living with a mental health diagnosis through creative arts programs.
“We hope that the choir sends a message that those living with a mental illness are creative people who want to sing and have fun too,” she said.
“It shows they can come together and create something beautiful that brings joy to the wider community and helps break down stigma.
“Our members have so much to offer to each other and to the wider community, all they need is a group of people who can encourage and care for them!”
Amy explained how members are assisted through building a meaningful routine, social connections and confidence, while having a great time.
“In our Bundaberg choir we have a solid group of incredible members who come along each week and have helped to form such a strong basis to the choir,” she said.
“So far, we’ve performed at Queensland Mental Health Week and had one home concert for members’ family and friends.
“We also have volunteers who are an integral part of our choir and are either in the kitchen helping to cook lunch, or are choir buddies supporting people learning the songs.
“We don’t want any sense of hierarchy, and we don’t differentiate between volunteers and members. This helps to create a sense of us all being in this together.”
Amy said the outcomes of success are different for everyone.
“For some people it’s when they start singing louder, perhaps they speak a bit more at lunch, or smile and laugh more. For others it’s being able to stay for a whole rehearsal and for some, it’s being there and walking in the door each week.”
Supporting the Upbeat Arts Choir are the Bundaberg Community Care Unit and Step-Up Step-Down program which, along with Queensland Health peer workers, encourage residents to come along and sing.
The Upbeat Arts Choir added a special touch to Mental Health Week entertaining staff at the Gourmet Hot Dog annual event.
Anyone interested in joining the Upbeat Arts Choir, volunteer or know someone who might like to be involved, reach out to Amy on 0489 978 141 or email amy.dt@upbeatarts.org.au