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Act-Belong-Commit

The City of Bayswater is committed to supporting positive mental health and wellbeing within the community, and has partnered with Mentally Healthy WA to promote the Act Belong Commit health campaign.

Act Belong Commit encourages people to take positive steps to improve their mental health and build a more connected community. The campaign's principles are so universal that the program has been adopted throughout Australia, as well as overseas (Denmark, Faroe Islands, Japan and Norway).

The City promotes the campaign through various community events, activities and initiatives.

The Act Belong Commit guidelines provide a simple approach that people can adopt to improve their mental health and wellbeing:

ACT - Stay active: mentally, physically, socially, spiritually and culturally.

BELONG - Keep connected to friends, family and your community.

COMMIT - Participate in activities that are meaningful to you.

To learn more, click on the headings below, and keep an eye out for the Act Belong Commit initiative at future City of Bayswater events.

What does it mean to be 'mentally healthy'?

It means that most of the time, you feel positive about yourself, what you do and your relationships with other people. It also means you have sufficient coping mechanisms when things get tough, whether it's support from family, friends, or healthcare professionals.

    Act: Keep active - physically, socially, mentally and spiritually
    • Go for a walk - everyone knows walking is good for you. It improves your circulation, lowers your blood pressure, strengthens your muscles, reduces stress and promotes better sleep. Being outside in the fresh air is beneficial to your mental and physical health, and  gives you time to appreciate nature! 
    • Read a book - reading has been shown to positively affect mental health, as brain-stimulating activities reduce stress, prevent memory loss and help you sleep better.
    • Talk to someone - speaking with someone lets you see things from other perspectives and gain new ways of thinking about things. Talking about problems has been shown to reduce stress and strengthen one's immune system.
    • Meditate or pray - mental health benefits include better focus and concentration, improved self-awareness and self-esteem, and lower levels of stress and anxiety.
    Belong: Keep connected to friends, family and your community
    • Join a book club - meet new people, make new friends and gain new perspectives. Spending time with like-minded people decreases stress levels and improves mental health.
    • Take a cooking class - learn how to make delicious food and feel a real sense of satisfaction at your newfound skills.
    • Go to community events - meet people of all ages, walks of life, and those with similar interests, feel part of the community in an environment that promotes harmony.
    • Join a sports team - being part of a team has many benefits: it builds strong relationships, increases self-esteem, develops your problem-solving skills, improves your physical health and reduces stress.
    Commit: Do something meaningful, important and valuable to you
    • Volunteer - there are many benefits to volunteering; you can help people, make new friends and learn new skills. Giving to others and having a sense of purpose improves your mental health and reduces stress.
    • Learn something new - helps you grow as a person and gives you a sense of accomplishment and pride. 
    • Take on a challenge - facing a challenge can make you feel mentally, emotionally or physically stronger and more capable. It also encourages creativity and growth.
    • Teach others - teaching is a rewarding experience as it makes a difference in people's lives . By helping others develop and grow, you will positively contribute to their (and your) mental wellbeing.
    Who is the program aimed at?

    Everyone! You might feel mentally healthy already or have been feeling a bit 'down', or you have (or have had) a mental illness or mental health issue.  The program provides guidance on steps everyone can take to affect their mental health in positive ways.

    Mental Wellbeing Quiz

    To find out about your level of wellbeing, you can take this interactive quiz. 

    Mentally Healthy - Wellbeing Quiz

    How you can Act Belong Commit in the City of Bayswater
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