Heartfelt gesture for Mental Health Week

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A person holding handmade heart-shaped crafts and cards. Close-up of more crafts and cards with messages and photos on a table.
Jill McDonald

Jill McDonald is incredibly passionate and puts heart into everything she does, and Queensland Mental Health Week 2024 is no exception.

She’s worked with her colleagues to craft more than 140 crochet hearts which all have a meaningful message behind them.

“I've hand crocheted the mini hearts myself in my own time, which are paired with wellbeing cards for consumers who visit the Bayside Community Mental Health Service during Mental Health Week,” she said.

“There are 16 different cards which each provide a health targeted brief intervention, and the hearts are there to grab people's attention to take a card.

“Last year, I made some of these for Mental Health Week but this year I wanted to embark on a bigger goal.

“It was also an opportunity for my colleagues to have a go at crocheting the hearts, so I offered this activity in their lunch break to create a little distraction from the busy day.

“My role is brief interventions, so I view every interaction with people as an opportunity to have a meaningful impact.”

Well done on this fantastic initiative Jill, we appreciate all that you do for your community!

Queensland Mental Health Week is an annual awareness week from 5 – 13 October that aims to shine a spotlight on individual and community mental health and wellbeing.