Toowoomba world record paint and sip event raises $30,000 for Momentum Mental Health
Toowoomba painters have helped set an unofficial world record for the largest paint and sip event, raising more than $30,000 for a vital mental health service. OUR GALLERY HERE:
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Toowoomba holds the unofficial record for the world's largest paint and sip luncheon, after more than 180 artists came together to raise money for Momentum Mental Health and enjoy a glass (or two) of wine.
The massive undertaking at Clifford Park racecourse has helped raise more than $30,000 for the mental health organisation, which offers free mental health and wellbeing services to all residents.
Momentum chief executive Shirley-Anne Gardiner said the funds would ensure its crisis and preventive supports like group sessions and therapy classes remained available at no cost.
“100 per cent of the proceeds went to Momentum to support anybody in the community who wants to work on their mental and social wellbeing,” she said.
“People can come to us if they have hit a bump in the road or if they have a mental health diagnosis.
“We currently have 193 people on our books who come for mental health support and last month they came 585 times.
“At least 50 per cent are coming for connection, as in they’re lonely or have had life challenges.
“We provide all supports and services for free and people can come to us without a referral from a GP.”
How Bondi stabbing incident inspired shift in mental health conversation
One of Toowoomba’s premier mental health support services has witnessed a huge uptick in requests for support following the horrific Bondi stabbing incident.
Former Toowoomba man Joel Cauchi, who had a history of mental health issues, killed six people at the Westfield shopping centre in Sydney in April before being shot by police officers.
The tragedy sparked another wave of discourse around Australia’s current approach to mental health.
Momentum Mental Health chief executive Shirley-Anne Gardiner said her organisation saw a spike in support requests in the weeks following the incident.
She also said a significant number of the inquiries were coming from people outside of the mental health system.
“Since the Bondi stabbing, we’ve seen 50 per cent more people contacting us who don’t have a diagnosis at all,” Ms Gardiner said.
“People realise that anyone can have poor mental health.
“I’ve been the CEO for a year, and when we started there were 140 participants, and since then there’s been 193, and a large amount were people in the past three months.
“When it first happened, people brought it up.”
Ms Gardiner said the organisation’s participants cut across demographics.
“The average age is 47 and they’re from all walks of life,” she said.
“They’re people from lower socio-economic backgrounds, from the LGBTQ community, and we also see professionals.
“We’re seeing more people realise there’s nothing wrong with working on your wellbeing.”
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