BEING – Mental Health Consumers

Due to the long weekend, our weekly newsletter is also taking a break today. Hope you've all been enjoying yourselves? The Mad Monday Memo will be back as usual next week.

Long weekends are often wonderful but not always . BEING Connected our member-only online community is always open. Say hi share your plans or leave a 💚 so we know you stopped by.🌿 A BEING member but not enrolled? Visit connected.being.org.au/login create a password and you're in!

Today is World Autism Awareness Day. Research shows that autistic people are more likely to experience mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression. Let’s work together to build a more inclusive, supportive community. bit.ly/41JaRn6

BEING Chair Tim Heffernan & CEO Giancarlo de Vera were in Canberra yesterday for the Lived Experience & Community-Managed Allies Parliamentary Breakfast launching a report that shows psychosocial supports save governments money. TH & GdV seen here with CMHA CEO Kerry Hawkins.

Today is World Bipolar Day, a day for connection, outreach and coming together for bipolar disorder. Tonight at 7pm Bipolar Australia will host "Our Story," a free online event featuring a documentary, panel discussion & Q&A. Click to register bit.ly/3NwtnvQ

Register now for this webinar featuring Jemima Isbester and Simon Katterl (CEO of MHLEPQ) exploring how anti-discrimination and human rights laws compel a shift in how mental health services are governed, designed and operated. Register here bit.ly/4d7b8HE

Yesterday BEING CEO Giancarlo de Vera had the great privilege to meet with Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor General of NSW and BEING's Vice Regal Patron since June 2023. It was so wonderful to find her so interested and enthusiastic about our work.

FND is an often misunderstood condition where the brain struggles to transmit signals properly, causing real, involuntary physical and sensory symptoms. Wear orange/green, share your story or host a morning tea to raise awareness. Follow on social media bit.ly/4rUqWRV

Tomorrow is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. bit.ly/4bxI4Xe & follows last week's Day to Combat Islamophobia. BEING stands against all forms of discrimination: racial, cultural & religious which have such an impact on mental health.

Our CEO Giancarlo de Vera is proud of their Filipino heritage and sat down in conversation with SBS recently to share their perspective on mental health. Check out the podcasts: “Be critical of coping mechanisms” bit.ly/4uVafZl “We're all human” bit.ly/4cQZPTR

The NMHCA has released a position paper entitled “Ending Bigotry, Discrimination & Vilification for Mental Health Consumers.” bit.ly/3PbtLjP BEING joins the Alliance calling out harmful behaviours towards people with mental health challenges.

We're looking for a Partnerships Manager to lead the development and delivery of our corporate partnerships strategy. Refer to thePD for more info and how to apply. bit.ly/4bKekrs Closes Weds, 1 April 2026 at 5:00pm. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

Delighted to confirm that today, Jenny Leong MP’s Human Rights Bill was referred to the NSW Parliament Community Services Cttee for inquiry, a step on the way to legislation. Thank you to everyone who contacted their MP to support the Bill. You are a key part of today’s success.

Day of Action - Call your MP! Today is our second Day of Action in the campaign for a Human Rights Act for NSW. Call your MP. Tell them why it's important to you. Ask them to support an inquiry. Click here for a 'script' and to find your MP's number bit.ly/418Qdg

Today, the Human Rights Act for NSW Alliance held a press conference at NSW Parliament House launching 2 days of action. Media release bit.ly/4rylaFa You can help by lobbying your MP. Click for details on how to find their number & what to say. bit.ly/418Qdg0

Tomorrow and Wednesday are Days of Action in the campaign for a Human Rights Act for NSW. We're urging everyone to phone their MP and ask them to support an inquiry into the benefits of an Act. Find your MP's contact details here bit.ly/4s97OAj #HRA4NSW #humanrights

BEING CEO Giancarlo de Vera supported last night's Stratford Lecture (pictured with VMIAC CEO Vrinda Edan & LELAN CEO Ellie Hodges) along with BEING Chair Tim Heffernan. Co-presenters  Rana Te Huia & Magdel Hammond's lecture explored the themes of Challenge, Action, Change.

BEING CEO Giancarlo de Vera will appear alongside John Feneley (Dep Pres of the Mental Health Tribunal) and Carolyn Nikoloski (CEO, Mental Health Australia) exploring loneliness, relationships and creating environments where people feel connected. Register bit.ly/3P1ege3

Various factors contribute to mental health challenges, including for women the discrimination and abuse faced because of their gender. What can we each do to uphold women's rights and ease mental health challenges? UN bit.ly/4aVJdsQ IWDA iwda.org.au

To acknowledge International Women's Day this Sunday we're sharing this paper: "Towards a gendered understanding of women’s experiences of mental health and the mental health system," exploring global issues that are of relevance to us in NSW as well. bit.ly/4rddJTC