World Mental Health Day is October 10. World Mental Health Day is an international day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma.
A timely topic in our COVID lockdown is the problem of Mental Health in our population. It got me thinking - What is mental health? I quote from the “Beyond Blue” web site,‘Mental health’ is often used as a substitute for mental illnesses – such as depression, anxiety conditions, schizophrenia, and others. According to the World Health Organization, however, mental health is “a state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.” Mental health is about wellness rather than illness. Ultimately, mental health is about being cognitively, emotionally and socially healthy – the way we think, feel and develop relationships - and not merely the absence of a mental health condition.
“Lift the Lid on Mental Illness” is Australian Rotary Health’s National annual fundraising day for mental health research and is based on October 10th. The campaign, founded by ARH Vice Chairman Greg Ross, started in 2016 in partnership with Rotary Clubs of Victoria. Since 2000, mental Illness has been a main focus for support by Australian Rotary Health. This event has now been extended to all Rotary Clubs across Australia. 
Wearing an interesting hat as a fundraiser is the idea of “lifting the lid”. We are all so embarrassed by our unkempt hair that maybe wearing a hat as a fundraiser may be a good idea. I even had a legally blind patient apologise for his unkempt hair – “my wife said you cannot see Dr. Ellis looking like that”!! Since quarantine I've not had a haircut. I've not even stepped on the scales. So, the other day I decided to weigh myself for the first time in months. Who knew hair weighed so much?! I might be able to grow a man bob, if this lockdown goes on any longer.
So, what are we doing about it? Elizabeth Dumonic has come up with a suggestion of selfies and publishing them with a donation of $5.00 each. We are turning our informal Wine and Cheese Night into a “Lift the Lid” night. Details are still formulating so look out for the flyer in this Bulletin. This is a great idea to support especially for our own mental health. This was one of the reasons the original "Wine and Cheese " night was set up.
In our Rotary week otherwise nothing much has happened apart from the fantastic news that our Farmer’s Market is set to reopen under strict conditions on October 17th. We have to thank the dedicated and relentless work of Ian Salek and Rob Winspear. Not an easy task knocking on shut doors!
Our club is 45 years old! It was granted a charter on 22 October 1975. The Club’s first formal meeting took place a month later in the Hawthorn Town Hall, with 30 people inducted into membership. We are so lucky to still have two Charter members remaining Don Moore and Ian Dobson and who are still active members. Has anyone a good idea of how to celebrate this occasion. My Moet will go down well on Zoom!
Well that is it for this layby week. The Board meets on Monday 12th and the General meeting on Tuesday 13th. Unfortunately, still on Zoom. Remember if the most powerful man in the world can get COVID – So can you! Wear a mask and wash your hands.