General News
27 January, 2025
Mind Gym for Wimmera residents
Healthy Minds Horsham has launched a free online course to equip Wimmera residents with vital tools for managing stress and anxiety.
‘Mind Gym’ initiative is a four-week online course designed to teach mindfulness and meditation.
With 100 spots available for locals and room for more if needed, the program aims to provide residents with effective strategies to manage stress, improve mental health, and combat anxiety and depression.
The online format also allows participants to learn in the comfort of their homes.
Healthy Minds Horsham founding member Gavin Morrow point out that mindfulness and meditation are proven methods for controlling stress.
“Everyone has stress, and we all handle it in a different way, but they’ll teach you how to use it to manage your stress and not let it become a problem,” he said.
The course is backed by research from Monash University in Melbourne with Professor Craig Harrison’s expertise highlighting the benefits of mindfulness.
“Professor Craig Harrison is very big on mindfulness, and through their research, they’ve learned that if people can control the level of stress, that can also have a big detriment on your mental health, and in particular anxiety and depression,” Mr Marrow said.
The initiative has been made possible through generous financial support from local organisations, including the Horsham Lions, Rotary Clubs, Apex, and other businesses.
Their contributions reflect the community’s commitment to fostering mental well-being for all.
The program is not just a temporary fix but a permanent lifelong skill. “This isn’t something you just do for a couple of weeks,” Mr Morrow said.
“This is something that will help you for the rest of your life,” he said.
He shared the story of a regular local participant who is in his 70s and credits mindfulness as one of the most impactful lessons of life.
Running from late February into early March, the program offers an accessible starting point for those new to mindfulness.
Mr Morrow encouraged hesitant individuals to take the first step.
“It’s never too late, and I think the hardest step is probably the first one to try something like this, because it’s probably not on everyone’s wish list to do meditation or mindfulness,” he said.
“But if you give it a go and you can master it, it’ll improve your life greatly.”
For more information or to register for the program, contact Healthy Minds Horsham.