If for whatever reason you’re feeling down, don’t keep it to yourself – reach out for help.
That was one of the key takeaways from yesterday’s inaugural Blue Butterfly Institute high tea at Rydges in Campbelltown.
Both Tina Meyer, the founder of Blue Butterfly, and Adam Holstein, who is behind How You Going Mate, a mental health and suicide awareness initiative, also urged everyone present to be proactively there for their friends and family.
“Get your phone out and call a couple of friends you haven’t been in touch for a while,’’ Mr Holstein said.
“Ask them how they are going; have a chat with them.’’
Ms Meyer, a survivor who is now a trauma specialist, recounted her own challenges with mental health, which led to the Blue Butterfly in 2021.
She said the high tea was an opportunity for the Macarthur and Wollondilly communities to learn about what the institute does for victims and survivors of sexual trauma, whilst supporting the development of new initiatives.
“I want to thank you all so much, because our fundraising here means that we can increase the amount of free service we provide,’’ Ms Meyer said.
The function room at Rydges was full, with organisers saying almost 150 people had attended the high tea yesterday at noon.
Among them were representatives of some of the sponsors of Blue Butterfly Institute, including Steve Wisbey, the managing director of Cornerstone Community, pictured above with Tina Meyer.
“We’re very happy to sponsor such a good charity as the Blue Butterfly Institute,’’ Mr Wisbey told the South West Voice.
“But we want to do more for them and other great causes in Macarthur, and that is why we want to succeed at Cornerstone.
“The better Cornerstone goes the more we can help,’’ he said.
The Blue Butterfly Institute is a not for profit, volunteer run organisation offering free counselling services as well as being an online help tool.
It provides a platform for connection to a safe pathway to personal and community empowerment and awareness.
It also advocates for victims and survivors of sexual trauma, supports them through the healing journey, and provides educational opportunities to the community on the impact of trauma on behaviour, attitudes, and beliefs.
For more information, visit their social media page here.
