Magazines cluttering up the house? Donate them

(Mental Health Week: 4-10 October 2009)

Making a positive difference to someone’s stay in hospital can be as simple as donating a magazine.

As part of NSW Mental Health Week celebrations, Hunter New England Mental Health in partnership with Tamworth Library are inviting the community to make a difference to patients in local mental health units by donating magazines.

Manager Rural Mental Health Judy Stephens said the magazines would add to the leisure activities available for patients.

“We have three inpatient units in the region and while they offer a range of leisure and recovery focused activities for patients to link in with, our patients would really appreciate and benefit from up-to-date general reading material during their stay,” Ms Stephens said.

“We are seeking magazines published during 2009 and covering a range of topics such as gardening, craft, camping, fishing, four-wheel driving, cooking, cars, music, fashion and sports that reflect our patient’s diversity.”

Donations of new and used 2009 edition magazines can be left at Tamworth Library, 466 Peel Street throughout Mental Health Week from Tuesday-Friday, 6-9 October between 9.30am and 6pm and Saturday 10 October from 9.30am to 4pm.

Ms Stephens said there were many benefits for patients.

“Reading through a magazine is an enjoyable activity that can be a distraction from feeling unwell and a way of keeping ‘in the loop’ with current happenings.

“When people are in hospital for long periods of time it is very easy to feel disconnected from what is happening outside. So something as simple as a magazine is a chance to read about and learn something new, and perhaps be inspired by other people’s stories.”

There were 840 hospital admissions across the three mental health units during the last financial year including adolescents, adults and older people from communities across the New England and North West regions.

“We hope that during Mental Health Week, the community will take up this opportunity to make a positive difference to the experience of fellow community members who are supported through our local mental health units.”

Contact: Frances Holz

Phone: 4939 2216