Jewish Care Victoria announced as finalist for VicHealth Award
Melbourne’s Jewish Care has been named a finalist in health promotion’s night of nights, the VicHealth Awards.
Jewish Care has been recognised for its Reach Out Speak Out campaign which aims to combat the stigma associated with mental illness and promote help-seeking behaviour. The video campaign released in 2016 formed part of Jewish Care’s commitment to mental health promotion and featured a variety of Jewish community members with a lived experience of mental ill-health.
Marilyn Kraner, Individual and Family Support Manager at Jewish Care, said being named a finalist for the 2017 VicHealth awards in the Improving Mental Wellbeing category, is a tremendous honour
“Jewish Care is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of the Victorian Jewish community, so it is wonderful that Jewish Care has been recognised for our work in promoting and improving mental wellbeing. It is also pleasing to note that Jewish Care is the only ethno-specific organisation nominated in this group of 45 finalists,” Kraner said.
Jewish Care’s Mental Health Promotion Worker, Cassandra Barrett has been integral to the organisation’s work in raising awareness and educating about mental health issues. In addition to the video campaign other successful initiatives include the Postcards for Pesach campaign, monthly mental health bulletins, professional staff training and community parenting forums.
VicHealth CEO Jerril Rechter said the quality and scope of this year’s nominations were outstanding.
“This year’s finalists are to be commended for tackling some of Victoria’s biggest health issues and making a huge difference to the lives of so many Victorians,” Ms Rechter said.
“It’s inspiring to see so many organisations like Jewish Care working with communities and using health promotion to improve the health and wellbeing of Victorians.”
Winners will be announced on Tuesday 5 December 2017 at the VicHealth Awards Ceremony at Melbourne Museum.
