Is there anything quite as soothing for the mind and soul as watching nature at its best, I wonder? As I stand at my desk compiling this post, there's a family of Superb Fairy-wrens building a nest in the tumble of Jasmine vines right outside the window. While the energetic little female, which I call the Jenny-wren, flits back and forth with wads of nesting matter in her beak, the adult male, or daddy bird, keeps a careful watch. He didn't seem to mind me taking this quick snap, though I did sense that he might have been asking me cheekily, 'May I help you?'. Call me crazy if you must, but for some reason I think of Fairy wrens as my 'angels'. The mere sight of them and sound of their cheery song has brought me great comfort and joy, especially during times of despair when life has thrown one of its nasty out-of-the-blue curved balls in my family's direction. Those beautiful little birds have sure calmed my nerves and restored my sanity. #mentalas Now that we've broached that topic, I'm keen to share with you the news that the Australian Broadcasting Commission, or ABC as it's better known, is about to kick-start a national conversation about mental health across the wider community. The initiative, Mental As... , is the biggest ever cross-platform programming event conducted by the ABC and will be launched for Mental Health Week, which takes place from 5-12 October 2014. Across ABC TV, radio, online and mobile, ABC Mental As... will take a look at mental health from all angles and perspectives, from comedy to documentary, entertainment to debate, as the network aims to help join the dots on mental health in Australia. The week will culminate in a two-hour, live, TV fundraising event Friday Night Crack Up on World Mental Health Day, Friday 10 October. Australia’s biggest personalities — comedians, actors, sportspeople, and musicians — will show their support for Mental As... and encourage Australians to take action, start talking, and give to mental health research. Friday Night Crack Up host, Eddie Perfect (pictured below) says, 'I can’t lie. I have no idea how a live television variety show in support of Mental Health Week is going to work because none of us have done this before. What I do know is that we have an unprecedented line-up of singers, actors, musicians, comedians and writers joining together (despite their conflicting network affiliations) throwing caution to the wind and bringing their considerable gifts to the table in support of mental health. It’s precisely my anarchic idea of a good time, actually. It’s time to talk about mental health; an issue which eventually touches every single one of us. Might as well enjoy ourselves while we’re at it.' ABC Director of Television Richard Finlayson said, 'Mental health challenges are huge and touch so many Australian families, yet we still struggle to talk about it openly [so true!]. Our week of ABC Mental As... programming will challenge stigmas and taboos; promote discussion, support and education; and inspire Australia to donate to mental health research.' From the unique and ground-breaking documentary series Changing Minds and one-off special Felicity’s Mental Mission; to new comedy and entertainment including Timothy, The Agony of the Mind and Friday Night Crack Up; along with distinctive episodes of Q&A, Good Game, Gardening Australia and many more. ABC Mental As... will be supported by a number of high profile Australians across all networks including actress Deborah Mailman, Network Ten presenter Jessica Rowe, TV personality Rove McManus, designer Alex Perry, advertising guru Todd Sampson (pictured below), musician Missy Higgins, actor Shane Jacobson and ABC presenters Jeremy Fernandez and Emma Alberici, who will act as ambassadors to raise awareness of the initiative and stimulate conversations. Why am I sharing information about Mental As... ? Good question. Mental illness can affect anyone at any time. I have been the primary carer of a young person with a chronic mental illness for more than fifteen years. I love this person so very dearly and would do anything to help ease the pain of this devastating affliction. And that is as far I'm prepared to go in sharing my story on this topic. But here are a few important facts you may not have known:
2. Life – Fact Sheet 3 Statistics on Suicide in Australia How can you/we help? The ABC wants to fuel conversation, challenge stigma and help join the dots on mental health in Australia. Almost half the total population (45.5%) will experience a mental health disorder at some point in their lifetime and the rest are likely to feel its impact. Make a donation and support the quest for better mental health solutions. Help support leading researchers in developing breakthroughs in preventing, diagnosing and treating mental ill health, make a contribution to fund mental health research today. To do this, visit Mental As - ABC Television. The funds raised through ABC Mental As... will be invested in mental health research, funding Australia’s next generation of emerging research leaders to seek breakthroughs, progress and cures. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Other awesome stuff... Some other good things caught my eye over the last week or two... I thought you might be interested too. Cookbook author and culinary grad, Tessa, who blogs at Handle the Heat, has kindly given me the thumbs up to share her photograph below, which is part of her Ultimate Guide to Chocolate Chip Cookies piece. Tessa's dedication to baking and testing several versions of these morsels is outstanding and deserves a huge round of thanks from cooks around the world! Make yourself a cup of tea or coffee, sit down and enjoy her experiments. Now I'm not a huge fan of cupcakes, but this handy guide to cupcake and wine pairing really took my fancy. Peter's elderly mum has been staying with us for the last week or so and she greatly enjoyed seeing all the blooms at Canberra's Floriade, as well as Tulip Top Gardens on the Federal Highway. Finally, a word of thanks from Mark Henry, creator of the Fonte 'Tough Love' Australian cast iron sauteuse by SolidTeknics. His Kickstarter project has been a success and he asked me to tell you 'We made it!'. These new Aussie pans will go into production next month. The Fonte pans are still available on Kickstarter until 21 September, and this is the only time they will cast the pans with 'First Edition' underneath, creating a valuable and rare collectible for all backers on Kickstarter. It is $99 for a pan on Kickstarter, including delivery in Australia. Then the pans will be available in good gourmet stores from November, but please note they will be RRP $129 and they won't be cast with 'First Edition'. Note: ABC Mental As... logo, and images of Eddie Perfect and Todd Sampson appear with the kind permission of ABC TV. So my dear readers, what good things have captured your attention lately? Do tell. And what helps to keep you sane?
17/9/2014 07:51:36 pm
Hello Lizzy. Good things indeed. I love Fairy-wrens too and we are lucky enough to be able to watch them from our kitchen at certain times of the year. Very calming, I agree.
Lizzy
17/9/2014 10:50:42 pm
Hi Jane, thanks for your very kind words... it is indeed important that the community as a whole is aware of all forms of mental illness, that way people can all help each other. I like your ways of keeping sane. Thanks again for stopping by. Have a lovely week and weekend xo 18/9/2014 12:29:41 pm
isn't it great that our national broadcaster is behind such an amazing and important project? not to be flippant, but it doesn't hurt to have two good looking blokes promoting it... and kudos to you too lizzy for promoting it and sharing your story.
Lizzy
24/9/2014 11:40:12 am
Thank you kindly, Elizabeth... your comment made me smile.. it will be nice for you to come to Floriade next year.
Eha
18/9/2014 04:52:20 pm
Oh Liz - THANK YOU!!!! [writing from a working blog break but this simply is far, far, far too important!!!!]. I had no idea this was coming up but tho' I may not be amongst 'important Australians' I shall be there every moment of every show! To share with every one you have stated above!!!!!! Of course mental problems have hit my large family circle also - of course these have hurt each and every one of us, of course it is time here and everywhere else in the world to speak up and join up and be together . . . . let us join, let us share, let us have it easier en famille . . . again 'thank you' so much for bringing this to my attention!!! love'ya and hope you have a decent weekend [I shall be planting tomatoes and herbs and pruning what I should have done a month or more ago :) !] . . .
Lizzy
24/9/2014 11:41:00 am
Hi Eha, happy planting, my friend. Thank you for your support on this issue!
Eha
24/9/2014 07:01:28 pm
A total support ay any time in any way I can . . . 19/9/2014 12:55:07 am
Good mix of thought provoking & uplifting stuff Lizzie & I totally agree that nature is so good for all of our mental health.
Lizzy
24/9/2014 11:41:20 am
Andrea, thanks so much xo 19/9/2014 05:44:47 pm
Mental health stats are frightening alright, but the more we shine the spotlight on a disease that touches almost everyone in one way or another then the more our society will accept, understand & factor "real life" instead of keeping this in a little box called *Shame*. Go you good thing Lizzie for this post.
Lizzy
24/9/2014 11:41:43 am
Anna, thank you kindly for your support. 19/9/2014 08:41:10 pm
This is a must-watch on mental health awareness. Not everyone knows how to deal with the likelihood and impact of this on each one of us...On a lighter note, thanks for sharing the wine and cupcake pairing guide! Love it!
Lizzy
24/9/2014 11:42:49 am
So true, Julie... and my pleasure on the cupcake and wine pairing. 20/9/2014 02:46:35 am
Mental health is such an important issue Lizzy. Depression can be so isolating and seen as quite 'self indulgent' from those on the outside looking in. Hopefully this campaign will raise awareness and funds to make a real difference x
Lizzy
24/9/2014 11:43:21 am
So true, Bec... absolutely. xo
Aimee Speechly
20/9/2014 11:19:13 pm
Mental Health is very important, it can happen to anyone at any time, there needs to be less stigma and more awareness of it. You are not alone, don't be afraid to to seek help from anybody, it could be your loved one, a friend, a councellor or a support group
Lizzy
24/9/2014 11:44:12 am
Thank you Aimee... it's true... people need to be aware that they are not alone and that should seek help... I certainly did when it touched my family! Thanks for stopping by.
Lizzy
24/9/2014 11:44:46 am
My pleasure, Celia, it's an important issue. Hope you are well love xox
Lizzy
24/9/2014 11:45:17 am
So true, Maureen and it is a brilliant initiative! Thank you for your support. 22/9/2014 10:05:47 am
A good thing can also be a thought provoking thing as well. Your promoting your ABC week making people more aware of mental health problems…that is a very good thing.
Lizzy
24/9/2014 11:39:22 am
Thank you Karen, it's an important issue : ) 22/9/2014 10:38:59 am
The Jenny-wren is gorgeous. I'm glad mental health issues are getting some attention and focus. I think I'd like the last cookie on the bottom row. And I'll pass on the cupcake and just have the wine xx
Lizzy
24/9/2014 11:38:51 am
Hi Charlie, the one in the photo, the blue one, is the male. I'm glad that mental health issues are getting some attention too. Not before time! Comments are closed.
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Welcome...Üdvözölöm
Cooking and writing have been a lifelong passion. Join me as I share with you my favourite recipes; postcards and morsels from my travels; conversations with cookery writers and chefs; and news on food, cookbooks and cooking. - Liz Posmyk
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NB: I use Australian standard measuring cups and spoons in my recipes.
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