http://pickingupthepeaces.org.au/html/upcomingevents2.html
Join us on Saturday October 10th to celebrate the 2nd National Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day. On this day everyone is encouraged to walk around Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra, to help ‘stomp’ out the stigma of PTSD.
If your organisation has a stake in post traumatic stress, contact Picking Up The Peaces with a view to having a presence during the event. Those who participated last year reported remarkable support and interest from the 500 people who attended.
Tentative Schedule for 10 October 2009
National PTSD Awareness Day
13:00 Hrs – The VVFACT Veterans Voices Choir
13:30 Hrs – Lindon Kinder MC gathers everyone – 5 mins
13.35 Hrs – Group Captain Dr Len Lambeth – former Director of the Directorate of Mental Health in the ADF – Discusses PTSD – What it is and the affects it has on people – 15 minutes
13:50 Hrs – Mr Alan Griffin – Federal Minister for Veterans Affairs – To discuss PTSD within our troops: 10 minutes
14:00 Hrs – Maj Gen Paul Alexander – Commander Joint Health, Australian Defence Force. His topic is ‘What the Australian Defence Force is doing about PSTD’. 10 minutes
14:00 Hrs – Mr Simon Corbell MLA – Minister for Police and Emergency Services – To talk about emergency service personnel and PTSD – 10 minutes
14:20 Hrs – Trisha Broadbridge – 2006 Young Australian of the Year – Her experience with PTSD – 15 minutes
14:35 Hrs – Katy Gallagher – Minister for Health. – The Health consequences of PTSD – The importance of early detection. The burden PTSD imposes on our healthcare system: EG Drug and alcohol addiction, Smoking, Relationship/family breakdown. The physical health problems associated with the above mentioned. – Open ended –
Normie Rowe to call for minute silence to honour those who have lost their lives due to suicide from PTSD.
Walk launched.
Following the walk there will BBQ/Beverages – The band to play – Face painting for the kids – Community group informational stalls – Display of Emergency Services & Defence vehicles – Police horses – Those who can answer questions about PTSD.
So grab friends, family, or just bring yourself & enjoy the walk, which will be followed by a sausage sizzle.
Show your support for all those affected by PTSD.
Time: 1pm – 6pm
Start & finish: Kings Park (near the Carillon), Lake Burley Griffin
National PTSD Awareness Day was officially declared and supported by the Federal and ACT Governments in 2008. It has now been cemented into the National Mental Health Week program, and will be celebrated on the Sunday nearest to October 11 each year. (The 2009 walk is on Saturday 10th because of a prior booking.)
Walking in Canberra 