The theme of 2026 Mental Health Month is ‘A small connection goes a long way’!
It doesn’t have to be anything grand — an invitation to meet up for coffee, an outing to an art exhibition together, or simply an SMS to check in with a friend. Or pick up the phone and call just to say, ‘Hello!’
Pink ‘Bella’ (beautiful in Italian) is CFS’ 2026 Mental Health Month Flower to Petal-it-Forward. Drop-by our World Mental Health Day Pop-up Stall and be part of the Global Petal-it-Forward Movement. Spread KINDNESS one stem at a time. Find our friendly volunteers on 10/10 (9 am to 1 pm) outside Little Giant Roasters Cafe (525 Willoughby Rd, Willoughby).
Anna R. (Year 10) writes
National identity and belonging
A June 2026 poll by the Resolve Political Monitor found Pauline Hanson was the preferred prime minister among 33% of respondents, ahead of Anthony Albanese on 29% and Angus Taylor on 16%. The poll, conducted for Nine newspapers, attracted attention as One Nation’s support increased ahead of the next federal election. This rise in support has brought the party’s views on immigration and national identity further into the spotlight.
For Australians from migrant backgrounds, being Australian is not necessarily defined by where they, their parents or their grandparents were born. It can be defined by where they have grown up, built their lives, contributed to their communities and consider home. When political discussions create a strong divide between “Australians” and “migrants”, some people may feel that their background makes them less accepted as part of the country they call home.
Bibi’s response:
Anna, thank you for raising this issue. I think your article is particularly timely for Mental Health Month because, underneath the political debate about immigration and national identity, there is an important question about belonging: What makes someone feel accepted as part of the country they call home?
I would like to add an adult perspective, based partly on my own research and experience working with CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) communities.
In recent debates about Australia’s housing challenges migrants have sometimes been presented as part of the problem. While migration does contribute to population growth and housing demand, Australia’s housing affordability challenge is much more complex, involving issues such as housing supply, planning, infrastructure and construction productivity. It is important that migrants are not reduced to a convenient explanation for a much larger structural issue.
We have also heard political voices calling for migrants to adopt “Australian values” more fully, raising an important question: What does successful settlement actually mean?
In my own research on migrant mental health, I have explored the difference between assimilation and integration. Integration allows migrants to participate fully in Australian society while retaining aspects of their cultural identity, language and traditions. . Research has found that social integration, belonging and reduced discrimination are important for mental wellbeing, while discrimination and social isolation can have the opposite effect.
For a first-generation migrant, adapting to a new country can involve learning English, changing occupations and becoming familiar with new customs. But we cannot simply change the colour of our skin or erase the accent developed while speaking another language. When visible differences continue to be used to divide “us” and “them”, it can be difficult to develop a genuine sense of belonging.
This is why I believe Mental Health Month is a good opportunity to ask not only “How well are migrants adapting to Australia?”, but also:
“How well are we, as the host society, helping people feel welcomed?”
Belonging is not something migrants can achieve by themselves. It is something we create together.
Reflecting on past events
FAME 2.0: When a flower workshop becomes a doorway to connection
Floral Arrangements Made Easy (FAME) 2.0 Workshop was offered for the first time on Sat 26 Sept (the 1st day of the Spring school holidays). This was a response to many requests from participants who had attended FAME 1.0 workshop.
The feedback from FAME 2.0 was overwhelmingly positive — and yes, the flowers were beautiful! However, there is an additional layer to this workshop that goes beyond floral arrangements.
Yesterday, a fellow mental health advocate from a Thai background attended with her teenage son. It reminded me of something I have observed over the years at Community Flower Studio (CFS): sometimes young people come into our space because a parent or a friend opens the door for them. I have had many friends ask whether their sons or daughters could volunteer with CFS. My response has always been:
“That’s great! Ask them to shoot me an email and tell me how they would like to be involved.”
It’s a simple question — but it also leaves the young person to take the next step. Perhaps it filters out those who are only coming because their parents told them so!
Thus, it was lovely to see this young man attending FAME 2.0 with his mum. At least he was curious enough to come along and find out more.
And speaking of teenagers…
There were two pairs of friends, all teenagers, attended this workshop. As I later learnt that one mother found out about the workshop on social media and told the other mother. They respectively bought the youth concession tickets ($15) for their daughters. One of the girls gave me a very honest “zero” when I asked how easy or difficult she found the first arrangement! I clarified that my question asked the level of difficulty not how much you like the workshop!
Read the full article HERE.
WHAT’S ON in Oct & Nov 2026
Youth Mentoring Program
Dr Bibiana Chan, CF, and other CFS members in various professions are available to mentor young people, share their work experiences. In-person mentoring sessions will resume from Wed 4th Feb 2026. Topics covered: study skills, time management, goal setting, getting motivated, write a resume that stands out of the crowd, job interviewing skills and assertive communication, etc.
If would like to refer any young people (12 – 30 year) whom you recently started a ‘RUOK?’ conversation to our FREE Youth Mental Health Program, please contact Dr Bibi via email: communityflowerstudio@yahoo.com or call 0412-613-073. Check out KYDS (Free Youth Mental Counselling) for their services. EPIC (Empowering Parents In Crisis) is a community building peer support platform “For parents & carers of young people by parents & carers of young people“.
A new resource: Self-Compassion for Teenswith a page dedicated for the adults caring for their teenagers: resources for the adults
World Mental Health Day Pop-up Stall on Sat 10th October
On Sat 10 Oct. CFS will host a pop-up stall at our usual location (outside Little Giant Roaster Café). If you are local to Willoughby/Chatswood, join Bibi and the pop-up stall team to get a stem of local pink Bella rose, to keep or Petal-it-Forward. Grab a seasonal bouquet or a pot plant as a gift which gives twice. All net proceeds will fund our Youth Mental Wellbeing Program. Since the launch of our petal-it-forward campaign in Nov 2021, CFS has handed out 758 bouquets/stems. We recently added a counter on our HOME page to share this achievement. Team CFS are very proud to ‘put a smile on someone’s face!’ y Find us at the corner of Willoughby Rd and French’s Rd (every 2nd Sat of the month).
Stronger Together – social cohesion is built on respect, not division.
Together, let’s sow the seed of kindness and support our young people (future leaders of society) where so many parts of the world are experiencing man-made conflicts ( and wars). Here is a link to find out the health benefits of receiving (and giving) flowers .
The 2026 Mental Health Matters Award Lunch
Team CFS (Community Flower Studio) should be so proud to be recognised as a finalist to the 2026 Mental Health Matters Media & Arts Award! Bibi prepared an ‘acceptance’ speech in case CFS’ name was called, thanking the team who contributed to the production of CFS’ monthly e-Newsletter.
Thank you so much. This recognition means a lot to us.
I’d especially like to acknowledge our original Newsletter Team, and Kim Wilkins, who is here with us today. We started the CFS e-Newsletter in May 2020, during the COVID lockdown, simply to keep our members connected. What began as a small way of staying connected has organically evolved into a platform for sharing stories and important wellbeing information with readers around the world.
We are particularly proud that many of our readers come from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. English may not be their first language, but they are certainly able to read, write and engage with information in English.
I’d also like to thank my late parents, who were both journalism graduates. I think they planted in me, from a very young age, this love of sharing stories. This has always been a team effort — so this recognition belongs to the Community Flower Studio. Thank you.
Laughter Yoga Spring Program
CFS’ 2026 Spring Program was launched on Tues 8 Sept. At one of our Oct class during school holidays, we had 2 juniors attending. This class is drop-in friendly for all ages and all abilities. Bibi gave a 10 min. ‘demo’ of Laughter Yoga at Bradfield MP Hon. Nicolette Boele’s ‘Aging Well Forum’ on Wed 7th Oct. There may be more ‘laughter buddies’ joining our intergeneration ‘Laughter and Bollywood Dance’!
The benefits are amazing for both mind and body—but no shortcuts! Daily practice of 10–15 mins for at least 10 days is the key. Attend at least one class and you’ll join our WhatsApp group, where we share check-ins, new laugh exercises, and updates from Dr Kataria’s Daily International Laughter Class (ILC).
Upcycled Hair Scrunchies Workshop
What will be covered?
You’ll learn how to:
- Choose and prepare suitable pre-loved fabrics
- Measure, cut and transform fabric into a scrunchie
- Use simple sewing techniques to create neat, straight seams
- Hand-stitch the final opening
- Add your own creative touches to make your scrunchie uniquely yours
♻️ What to bring
- One pre-loved T-shirt, skirt or piece of fabric that you’d love to upcycle
- Your creativity and a willingness to have a go!
Don’t worry if you don’t have suitable fabric — Michelle will have a selection of fabrics available for you to choose from.
Come along, slow down, get creative and discover how something old can become something fabulous!
Date: Sat 17 Oct
Time: 1 – 3 pm
Venue: Chatswood Youth Centre
Cost: Youth (12 – 25 yr) Concession ($10); General Admission ($28)
Click HERE to book a seat!
Book Club
Date: Sat 28 Nov 2026
Time: 1 – 3 pm.
Venue: Room 1, Dougherty Community Centre (7 Victor Rd, Chatswood), 8 – 10 minutes walk from Chatswood Train/Metro Station.
Read CFS’ Book Club Newsletter for more details.
Nearest parking station is Chatswood Westfield. Registration via Humanitix is now open.
Mental Health Month Cha & Coffee Chats
It’s Mental Health Month!
Each year, 10 October marks World Mental Health Day, led by the World Health Organization (WHO)! We’ll continue to celebrate ‘A Small Connection Goes A long Way‘ throughout the month of Oct. Join us for a relaxed morning tea and share stories that may take you down memory lane. Using 16 carefully selected images from the U Shape Us conversation cards, we’ll spark meaningful conversations across generations and cultures.
This simple yet powerful activity helps build community resilience while reducing social isolation and loneliness. Come along for a chat. Bring your curiosity—we’ll provide the refreshments!
One image, one story, one genuine conversation. Youth concession ticket $2@ and general admission $5@. Refreshments and 1st drink (cold or hot) on us.
📅 Date: Saturday, 10 October 2026 (Sold out)
🕛 Time: 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Register HERE.
📅 Date: Friday, 30 October 2026
🕛 Time: 3 pm – 4:30 pm
Register HERE.
Venue: Little Giant Roasters Cafe, 525 Willoughby Road, Willoughby
📅 Date: Friday, 23 October 2026
🕛 Time: 2:45 am –4:15 pm
Venue: Apothecary Cafe, 1/6 McIntosh St, Chatswood. Register HERE.
This event is generously co-funded by Way Ahead Small Community Grant
閒情茶座: 響應心理健康月
十月是心理健康月！
每年 10 月 10 日 為 世界心理健康日（World Mental Health Day），由世界衛生組織（WHO）倡議，提醒大家關注心理健康的重要性. 整個十月份，我們將繼續慶祝「小小的聯繫，意義非凡」。誠邀您一起享用茶點，在輕鬆愉快的氛圍中分享人生故事，重拾珍貴回憶。我們將透過 《U Shape Us》 對話卡中精選的 16 張圖片，引發跨世代、跨文化的交流與對話。
一張圖片、一個故事、一段真誠的交流，都能促進社區連結，提升社區韌性，並減少孤獨感與社交隔離。
歡迎帶著您的好奇心前來，我們已準備好茶點，期待與您相聚！
本活動由 WayAhead Small Community Grant 慷慨共同資助。
Together Parent Support offers a variety of services for Chinese-speaking parents. Check their website for more information.
We are currently seeking an Event Organiser to coordinate these monthly events, each hosted by a different member with prior experience in organizing similar activities. Bibi will soon circulate a Google Doc to create a roster for 2026. We warmly welcome your ideas and suggestions—feel free to email them to Bibi!
Mental health podcasts and an YouTube webinar added to CFS webpage. Here is one of them.
At a recent webinar on 29th Sept, 2026, members of the National Mental Health Consumer Alliance Multicultural Affinity Group and the Regional and Remote Affinity Group shared their work and insights on culturally responsive mental health systems, structural change, and advocacy for people on involuntary treatment orders. Bibi spoke passionately about how the systems need to change to provide more ‘culturally responsive’ services (from 12:50 min.). The onus was not solely on people from multicultural communities.
Access the webinar HERE.
If you feel like supporting youth mental health, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to CFS. Your support will help young people learn life skills and find meaningful employment.
Michelle Benson published in LinkedIn an article entitled “𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿? “She is referring to the term “non-profit” which is a tax reference, that unfortunately grew legs and became a label.
Bibiana Chan responded, “Absolutely. Perhaps a better terminology is ‘For-Purpose’. The Community Flower Studio is a youth-focused charity with a mission to help youth learn life skills and find meaningful employment. Your generous donations are tax-deductible.”
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Download the Return & Earn App onto your phone and nominate ‘Petal-it-Forward’ as the charity campaign for your refund to go. An anonymous sponsor will match the amount donated, so your contribution will be doubled!
Good news!!!
As of 7/10/26, we raised $812.6 (less than $200 from our goal of $1K). A total of $812.6 donation was made by our anonymous sponsor to support our ‘PETAL-IT-FORWARD’ CAMPAIGN.
Your generous donations are much appreciated. The Community Flower Studio is a charity registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission (ACNC). Donations of over $2 will receive tax deductions. Please kindly make a donation to the Community Flower Studio (CFS) by direct debit. Our NAB account details are as follows: BSB No.: 082-212, Acc No.: 729-933-729. Donation via PayPal is available HERE.
There are many ways to support CFS: become a member or contribute to the columns here. I’m always looking for a great recipe passed down from generation to generation. If you have a story to share, either write a short piece around 250 words or shoot us some photos. If there is a book or a movie you want to write a review, the CFS e-Newsletter will be happy to share with our e-Newsletter subscribers. Contact Bibi on communityflowerstudio@yahoo.com
If you would like to purchase a DIY Succulent Terrarium Kit for a loved one or a friend as a present, order online here ! This is also a ‘Succulents in Colour-Sand Glass’ DIY Kit which comes with a youth-approved instruction sheet and a QR code to the YouTube clip of previous workshops. Available here. You can also purchase a DIY Flower Kit from our online shop, click Flower Crown
Flower of the Month
Eremophila nivea
By Bibi
Eremophila nivea – A Silver Beauty from Western Australia (WA)
One of the plants that caught my eye at the flower market recently was Eremophila nivea, commonly known as Silky Eremophila. Its soft, silvery-grey foliage and delicate mauve-purple tubular flowers make it look almost as though it has been dusted with silver!
Eremophila nivea is native to south-western WA, where it grows naturally on sandy clay and clay-loam soils. The species is listed as Endangered under Australia’s EPBC Act, so seeing it in cultivation is a reminder of the importance of protecting our native flora.
Care
This is a plant that prefers conditions similar to its natural habitat: full sun, excellent drainage and good air circulation. Once established, Eremophilas are generally drought tolerant, but E. nivea can be quite challenging in Sydney’s humid climate. Its hairy silver foliage is particularly susceptible to fungal problems if it stays wet.
Water deeply while establishing, then allow the soil to dry between watering. Avoid overhead watering and prolonged wet conditions. In humid areas, growing it in a pot can make it easier to provide the dry, well-ventilated conditions it prefers. Grafted plants are often recommended for greater vigour and hardiness.
A florist’s perspective – can it be harvested commercially?
Interestingly, yes – at least potentially! Eremophila has long been recognised as having potential as a commercial Australian cut flower, both as a feature flower and as filler. Eremophila nivea has specifically been listed among promising species for cut-flower production, and it also appears in Australian native cut-flower lists as a spring/summer crop with mauve flowers and silvery foliage.
However, it does not appear to be a major commercial floristry crop like Geraldton wax or some eucalypts. Its cultivation difficulties – particularly in humid climates – may be one reason. So that beautiful bunch I spotted at the flower market may well have come from a relatively specialised native-flower grower!
Fun fact: nivea means “snow-white” in Latin, referring to the plant’s striking silvery appearance. And perhaps that is exactly what attracted me to it in the first place!
For a limited time only, ‘Pregnant Onion’ is available for sale at the CFS Flower Shop
Plant of the Month
Primrose
By Bibi
With their cheerful, colourful blooms and neat rosettes of green leaves, primroses (Primula) are among the most delightful cool-season flowers. The name Primula comes from the Latin primus, meaning “first” – a fitting name because many primulas are among the early flowers to brighten the garden.
Primroses generally prefer a cool, sheltered position with morning sun or light shade. They like soil that is moist but well drained – damp is good, but sitting in water is not! Add compost or other organic matter to improve the soil, and water regularly during dry weather. In containers, make sure there are good drainage holes. Removing faded flowers can also encourage the plant to keep producing new blooms.
Primulas come in a wonderful range of colours, including yellow, pink, red, purple and white. The familiar common primrose, Primula vulgaris, forms a low rosette of bright green leaves with delicate, often fragrant yellow flowers. It can grow in full sun or partial shade, provided the conditions are not too hot or dry.
A fun fact for CFS!
Primroses are not just pretty – their petals can also become part of the creative process!
At Community Flower Studio, we recently discovered that primrose petals can be used as a natural source of colour for our Hammering Flower workshop. By placing fresh petals onto fabric and gently hammering them, their natural pigments are transferred onto the material, creating beautiful and often wonderfully unpredictable patterns.
This is exactly the kind of CFS magic we love: a flower that might otherwise be overlooked can have a second life as natural colour!
And there is another fascinating primrose fact: some Primula species have two different flower forms, known as “pin” and “thrum” flowers. This unusual arrangement helps encourage cross-pollination between plants – something that even Charles Darwin found fascinating!
At CFS, we love flowers that give us more than beauty – they give us opportunities to learn, create, connect and have fun.
The flowers are hermaphroditic – meaning each flower has both male and female structures, but heterostylous, so individual primrose plants have either pin flowers (where the head of the style is prominent) or thrum flowers (where the stamens are prominent). Fertilisation can only take place between pin and thrum flowers, i.e. between the different morphs. Pin-to-pin and thrum-to-thrum pollination is therefore, ineffective.
Photo credits: Photos by Raymond J C Cannon
Photo credits: Photos by Raymond J C Cannon
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Movie Review
By Wing C.
Official Secrets directed by Gavin Hood
Official Secrets — When Conscience Collides with Duty
I recently watched Official Secrets, a powerful movie about a whistleblower, Katherine Gun, an intelligent agent at Britain’s GCHQ. In 2003, she leaked a highly sensitive memo revealing an attempt by the US government to manipulate UN member states’ votes in favour of the war against Iraq, based on the accusation that Iraq possessed Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD).
Keira Knightley, who played the real-life Katherine Gun, was brilliant in her performance. At the heart of the story is Katherine’s struggle between serving the people of Britain and serving the British Government. Her social conscience ultimately led her to choose the former, even though she had sworn an oath under the Official Secrets Act.
Her situation became even more complicated because her husband was a Muslim originally from Iraq and had previously been arrested for overstaying his visa. After Katherine leaked the memo to a friend who was an anti-war activist, the document eventually found its way to a journalist at The Observer. I won’t reveal what happened next—you’ll have to watch the movie!
What impressed me most was the movie’s depiction of the mental health challenges faced by the main characters. Katherine couldn’t sleep or eat. She became extremely anxious and easily irritated. Her moral struggle eventually led her to turn herself in to her immediate supervisor and face an internal investigation by GCHQ.
Fortunately, Katherine received excellent legal support, but that didn’t make the experience any less terrifying. That was the price she paid for blowing the whistle.
The movie also includes real footage of the millions of people who participated in anti-war protests around the world. I am proud to say that I was among them. I still remember attending forums where we debated whether the Iraq War could truly be considered a “just war”.
One of my favourite scenes comes at the end, when Katherine’s defence barrister is fishing on a beach. Coincidentally, the Royal prosecutor—his “friend”—turns up at the same beach with his fishing gear. The barrister simply asks his friend for a favour: “Please go somewhere else to fish!”
I could really resonate with that scene. Friendships can certainly come under scrutiny when people find themselves on opposite sides of deeply held beliefs and values—perhaps even more so in this era of misinformation and fake news.
But ultimately, truth has a way of surfacing.
History revealed that the intelligence used to justify the Iraq War did not establish the existence of the WMD that had been presented as the threat. By then, countless lives had been lost, soldiers on both sides had been injured, infrastructure in Iraq had been devastated, and innocent people had lost their homes. British Prime Minister Tony Blair later acknowledged serious errors in his judgement.
And who would have thought that, in 2026, war and conflict would once again be raging in the Middle East?
I’ll leave you to watch Official Secrets and make your own judgement—not only about Katherine Gun’s decision, but also about the difficult question the movie leaves us with:
When duty and conscience come into conflict, whom should we ultimately serve? And where is the world heading when truth itself is increasingly difficult to distinguish from misinformation?
Recipe of the Month
Vegan Chocolate Cookies
by Teresa Lam
As winter comes to an end, Minna shares one of her favourite comforting soups.
Ingredients
½ cup vegan butter
¾ cup cane sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla essence
2 tablespoons non-dairy milk
1 cup all purpose flour
½ cup cacao powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
Optional:
¾ cup vegan chocolate chips
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 180c. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cream together the butter and sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer.
3. Mix in the vanilla, 2 tablespoons of non-dairy milk. Give it a stir.
4. Sieve the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
5. If the batter is too dry to roll into balls, add another ½ to 1 tablespoon of milk. If it is too wet, add a teaspoon of flour at a time, to the consistency that you can roll into little balls.
6. Fold in the chocolate chips.
7. Roll the cookie dough into balls (you should be able to get 18-20) and place on the cookie sheet, about 5cm apart.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies have spread out and are “crackled” on top.
9. Let cool on the baking sheet for 20 minutes.
Tips:
As soon as the cookies crack, they are done. They will come out of the oven soft but will be crisp after 20 minutes.
They do expand a bit and may stick to each other. You can easily separate them with a knife.
From the Desk of Bibi
The Friction of Being Human: What Can AI Teach Us About Human Connection?
By Dr Bibiana Chan
Recently, I found myself thinking about something psychologists have raised as AI companions become increasingly popular: some young people may prefer talking to AI because the interaction is frictionless*. An AI agent doesn’t get offended, become defensive, interrupt, or hold a grudge. It can be wonderfully easy to talk to.
* Nearly 72% of American teenagers have used AI for companionship.
But is friction always a bad thing?
Two recent experiences made me think otherwise.
I had dinner with two good friends who expressed political views very different from mine. Rather than getting into a heated debate, I listened. I shared my own opinions gently, accepted that I saw things differently, and moved on to another topic. I didn’t need to agree in order to remain connected.
The second experience was much less pleasant. At a supermarket checkout, the conveyor belt wasn’t working. I didn’t pay much attention and routinely placed my stuff on the conveyor belt. I thought I had left enough space between customers. The woman in front of me had a full trolley and asked me to move my stuff back to give her more space. My groceries were heavy and I couldn’t realistically move them. I suggested that she wait until the cashier returned so she could pass her items directly to the cashier. I apologised several times, but she remained visibly unhappy. Eventually, I stepped back and avoided further eye contact.
Nothing was resolved. Nobody “won”. It was simply an unfortunate and uncomfortable human interaction.
And perhaps that’s the point.
Growing up in Chinese culture, I was taught to value harmony highly. The concept of the “big ME and little me” also shaped how I understood my place within a family and community: sometimes the individual gives way to the collective for the sake of harmony.
But I am learning that harmony doesn’t necessarily mean the absence of disagreement or discomfort.
Assertive communication requires us to express our needs and opinions while respecting those of others. That means learning to tolerate the uncomfortable space between us when we don’t agree — without rushing to fix it, avoid it or make ourselves smaller just to restore harmony.
AI can be a wonderful companion for reflection. I can bring an awkward conversation here, unpack what happened, consider another perspective and rehearse how I might respond differently next time. There is very little friction.
But perhaps AI should be our rehearsal room, not our replacement for the stage.
Click HERE to continue reading.
Subscriber’s Corner
Reflections of Hammering Flower on Totes Workshop
By Henry G.
The Flower Hammering workshop started with a pilot workshop. This session was all about experimentation — testing which flowers and leaves transferred colour the best, trying out different hammers and hammering techniques and surfaces. Using this pilot workshop, I turned the process into an instruction sheet that others could follow.
As part of the preparation, I researched the history of hammers themselves — from simple hand-held stones used by early humans, all the way through to the refined, purpose-built tools we use today.
Prior to the workshop, I invited a few friends along, but most didn’t want to come or had other plans, and in the end none of them could make it. A small disappointment, but the workshop itself exceeded expectations as participants hammered their chosen flowers onto tote bags and were highly satisfied with the finished results.
Bibi’s Note: This was a great example of the co-design and co-production model of CFS’ Creative Workshops (facilitated) by Young People for Young People. Henry took the extra steps to invite his friends along to have some fun. With the high demand of schoolwork and other commitments (e.g. Sat sports), taking time for creative activities was given low priority. I would argue that ‘nurturing creativity and our soul’ enhance overall mental wellbeing. It would give a fresh perspective to manage schoolwork!
Dr Dov Degen, OAM,
What if the doctor is ‘not feeling well’! Click HERE to listen to Dr Degen’s full interview.
My experiences of mental health stigma in healthcare, produced by @saneaustralia, featured on the National Mental Health Commission’s website following the launch of the National Stigma and Discrimination Report Card.
As a doctor living with bipolar disorder, I have experienced significant stigma during periods of mental health relapse throughout my career. If I had faced a physical illness such as cancer, I believe I would have been met with far greater sympathy and compassion. Unfortunately, stigma has left me feeling ashamed, isolated, and deeply distressed.
I do not believe this stigma is driven by ill intent. Rather, it stems from ignorance which is often rooted in fear of the unknown and discomfort with what feels different. If that is the case, then the path forward is clear: we must challenge stigma through awareness, understanding, and open conversation.
As a medical profession, we can, and must do better.
Photos from around the Globe:
Mid-Autumn (Moon) Festival celebrated in Hong Kong. By Mona & Kelvin Y.
Sunflower field in USA by Teresa L.
COMMUNITY FLOWER STUDIO LOGO EXPLAINED
Community: CFS is a community to support young people facing mental health challenges.
Creative: CFS hosts events to unleash young people s creative talents.
Resource: CFS provides members with resources to enhance their wellbeing.
Support: CFS offers support to members to develop their potential.
Growth: CFS fosters a growth mindset which is helpful in dealing with challenges.
Recovery: CFS sees recovery as achievable and a journey to cherish.
CONTACT US
Email: Communityflowerstudio@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.communityflowerstudio.org Mobile: 0412 613 073
Like us on Facebook:Community Flower Studio Inc. Instagram: communityflowerstudio
Address: 10-12 Clanwilliam St., Willoughby, 2068, NSW, Australia.