Belmont Private Hospital Celebrates Queensland Mental Health Week 2025

From 4–12 October, Queensland Mental Health Week invites us to reflect on the power of connection in supporting mental wellbeing. This year’s theme, “Connect for mental health,” encourages us to nurture relationships—with ourselves, our communities, and the world around us.

At Belmont Private Hospital, connection is more than a theme—it’s a lived experience. As Norm Wotherspoon, a member of the Consumer and Carer Advisory Committee, shares:

“Mental Health Week recognises the challenges and triumphs experienced by the one in five Australians with lived experience of mental illness. It is a week which allows all Australians to reflect not only on the difficulties encountered by people with mental health challenges, but also to highlight the many successes and actions achieved by those with lived experience on their various pathways to recovery. 

This week also focuses on the professional and personal care givers who support and assist those of us with mental health issues.”

A Week of Connection and Celebration

Belmont Private Hospital is proud to host a vibrant program of activities during Queensland Mental Health Week 2025, designed to promote wellbeing, creativity, and connection among patients, carers, and the broader hospital community. Highlights include:

• A wellness morning offering nails and massages for the BCPND and Women’s wards
• The opening of the 2025 Art & Craft Exhibition with afternoon tea in the hospital’s main corridor
• A crochet stall and creative workshops such as painting bricks and American message sticks
• A dietician-led talk on eating for health and wellbeing
• A guided walk and a Family & Carer Forum for reflection and support
• A creative writing session, baby animal farm visit, and live music from The Men’s Shed Band
• A BBQ and sausage sizzle, plus court games to round off the celebrations

These events aim to foster community, raise awareness, and support mental health in a welcoming and inclusive environment.

Norm also shares his personal connection to Belmont:

“I myself have lived experience of mental illness, and see my psychiatrist fortnightly at the hospital. I am a member of the Consumer and Carer Advisory Committee, which meets every two months. The Committee consists of four people with lived experience, and two caregivers.

Whenever we are at the hospital we wear name badges, so feel free to stop us for a chat if you see us walking around. Enjoy Mental Health Week!”

A Shared Commitment to Mental Wellbeing

Belmont Private Hospital offers a wide range of therapeutic and creative courses and activities to support day patients and inpatients on their healing journey. Initiatives like Have Your Say meetings empower patients to contribute ideas and feedback, which are shared with the Hospital’s Quality and Risk Committee through the Consumer and Carer Advisory Committee.