“A small step for personal growth, one giant leap for mental health!”

World Mental Health Day

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The event

Pearl Cove Library is hosting a Human Library event in conjunction with World Mental Health Day. The purpose of this is to see mental health and its related concerns through another person's eyes by speaking with four guest 'Books' to discover a variety of opinions and stories related to the purpose of the event.  

The "Human Library" event will allow you to express ideas and opinions without fear of judgement. Explore the importance of diversity and encourage the acceptance of others, regardless of their personal histories. Engage in discussion to challenge stigmas about people with mental health and promote the importance of positive mental health. 

All discussions are private between the "Books" and individuals guests. The views and opinions of the "Books" may not reflect your own but we encourage guests to keep an open mind as well as be kind and respectful to all of those in attendance.  

Books 

The term "book" refers to a person that will be speaking at the event and they will have one-on-one discussions with guests regarding the theme of the event. 

The first "Book" at the event is Eva Thompson. She is an elderly woman aged 75, who lives by herself, and her children and grandchildren do not visit often. She also doesn't get to see friends and acquaintances often, and becomes quite lonely because of it. 

The second "Book" is a single father of two young children, Miles Walker. The mental health of a parent, can sometimes be overlooked and not spoken enough of, especially in a situation where they are the sole carer of young children. Parents need to be supported so that they are able to help their child become the best versions of themselves. 

The third "Book" is 20 year-old student Casey Hayes that identifies themselves with the pronouns they/them. This person holds significance to the event because there are some people that do not agree with the significance of the morals that the LGBTQI+ community spreads, and they occasionally may find a negative factor to invalidate a persons beliefs and undermine their happiness. 

The fourth and final book that will be featured in the event is, Professor Patricia Dudgeon. Professor Dudgeon is a part of the Bardi people of the Kimberly area in Western Australia. She is known for her research that includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing and suicide prevention. She is also the co-chair of the Ministerial Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Advisory Group.

Event bookings

Day and time: Saturday October 9, 2021 at 10:00 am to 03:00 pm. 

Location: Pearl Cove Library courtyard and Group study room.

Cost: $2 - Cost covers a donation for a gift for each "Book".

Bookings: Bookings are completed through the Eventbrite website. 

Each individual booking will allocate a session for a total of 20 minutes. 

1 booking per person.

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/pearl-cove-library-world-mental-health-day-47065/

Further information

The following links will take you to further information about the purpose of the Human Library cause and mental health support agencies in Australia which may provide resources that can be used in personal situations. 

• https://www.humanlibraryaus.org/about 
• https://mhaustralia.org/about-us
• https://www.onedoor.org.au/advocacy
• https://www.gayaadhuwi.org.au/about-us/
• https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

Sophia EL MOHAMAD

Take Pride!

 Take Pride at Pearl Cove Library!

Image credit: "Rainbow Flag" by -Marlith- 

Do you want to learn more about LGBTQ+ people but are too scared to ask? Come to Pearl Cove Library to learn more about LGBTQ+ identities and experiences through our Human Library event! 

When: Thursday, June 10th from 5pm–7pm

Where: Pearl Cove Library's Pearl Room, located adjacent to the library.

What is Pride Month? 

Pride month is celebrated every year in June to honour the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, a significant milestone in the Gay Liberation in the United States. The goal of these celebrations is to bring awareness to LGBTQ+ identities and recognise the influences LGBTQ+ people have had across the globe. For the entire month of June, pride memorials, parades and events occur. 

What is a Human Library?

The Human Library was created in 2000 in Copenhagen by Ronni Abergel and his brother, Dany, along with their colleagues, Asma Mouna and Christoffer Erichsen. The event offered a broad range of living 'books'—that is, people—with all kinds of experiences to 'borrow'. Attendees would ask questions and talk with these 'books' to challenge stereotypes and gain a deeper understanding of the world around them. For more information, visit Human Library

About the event

How is Pearl Cove Library planning to adapt this event to our community? By training our own volunteer 'books' to talk to you. We've found diverse LGBTQ+ books for attendees to speak with in a 10 minute timeframe, including Indigenous Australians, Seniors and younger LGBTQ+ people, and even Benjamin Law, an LGBTQ+ writer and journalist from Australia! Benjamin will be giving a free talk on the day to give you the opportunity to learn more about the LGBTQ+ community. This event also provides free finger-foods and complimentary tea and coffee to all participating.

If you're interested in attending this free event, then book now through eventbrite. Limited bookings are available, so be sure to act quickly! This is an event for all ages.

For more information, please contact Lynda Freisman, head librarian at Pearl Cove Library

Phone: (02) 9722 0120 

Email: lfreisman@pcl.com.au 

Written by Caitlin Austin

HIV doesn't discriminate, only PEOPLE do

                        

Do you know your status? 

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Join us for this special Human Living Library event, PEP Talk, hosted as a part of National HIV Testing and Awareness Day! Come along and KNOW YOUR STATUS! 

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Event Details: 

Where? Located in the main courtyard of Pearl Cove Library

Wheelchair accessible

 

When? Saturday, 26th of June 2021

 

Time? Doors will open at 11am & close at 5pm

 

Cost? $10

How do I get there? There is free parking at Pearl Cove Library! 

Smith Street bus stop is directly adjacent to the main library entrance.  

 

Booking? Click the big button below!

Or chat with the friendly staff at Pearl Cove library to secure your spot!

Please be aware this is an 18+ event! ID will be checked on entry 

So, what is PEP Talk?  

I’m so glad you asked! PEP Talk is an open conversation. PEP Talk is an inclusive, informative, and inviting event curated to educate those who may not know their HIV status, who through language and cultural barriers are unable to know their status, or those who want to connect with their local community through personal experience and hardships. 

Borrow one of our 10 beautiful books who are fighting the HIV stigma in their lives and communities. Listen and learn, swap stories, and meet others who may offer guidance and support. 

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Want more info on Human Living Libraries? Hit this link and get the facts straight from the source-https://www.humanlibraryaus.org 

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So, what else is happening? 
 
Well, we have partnered with our friends over at ACON (Aids Council of NSW) and they have kindly offered up their RAPID testing tent for the event! It is completely confidential and open for everyone.
The RAPID testing program will be open from 12pm to 4pm and has a sweet little spot in the library carpark! Its free! Get in! Get tested! 

                                                      Want to know more? ACON have the answers.

https://www.acon.org.au 

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Stay up to date with news on the event through our socials, or chat with staff at Pearl Cove library:

    @PEPTalk_knowyourstatus

@PEPTALKhealth

PEPTalk_Know Your Status    

www.peptalkhealth.com.au

  

Pearl Cove Library contact details: 

Phone us! 61+ 4032 7650 

Visit us! 47 Smith Street, Pearl Cove, 2240

Email us! events@pearlcovelibrary.com (for booking and inquires)

                                        _________________________________________

PEPTalk acknowledges all First Peoples of the Aboriginal lands we operate on and celebrate their enduring  connections to country, knowledge and stories. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. We are committed to a positive future for the Aboriginal community.

Created by Sophie Jones 

Image 1:  WomanLog. (2020). HIV/AIDS [Illustration]. WomanLog. https://www.womanlog.com/sex/hiv-aids-short  

Nanna...Pop...is that YOU?

              

Oh Yay, BOOMER!   

That's right, this is what your Grandparents (or parents) generation were really up to when they were young(er). 
Pearl Cove Library is proud to present a Human Living Library event to celebrate the annual
NSW Seniors Festival, and give these lunatics a chance to explain themselves.

Image source

Talking Books?

Human Living Libraries are a global movement where...you guessed it, the books TALK! 
Living "Books" (actual people) volunteer to tell their stories, answer questions and discuss in their own words often taboo topics in a safe, inclusive space. Curious? Check them out here. https://www.humanlibraryaus.org/

Mystery's, Adventure & Secret Treasure?

Pearls of wisdom, whirlwind romances, sexual revolution and struggle for social change & equality...all this and more hidden right here amongst us. 
Help us celebrate the NSW Seniors Festival and discover some "Treasure" of your own. Wanna know more, check them out here. https://www.seniorsfestival.nsw.gov.au/home

Check out our "Book" catalogue

1. The Hon Dr Kay Patterson AO. Age Discrimination Commissioner/Australian Human Rights Commission (Keynote speaker)

Mental Health Awareness

 Understanding Our Minds

A Human Living Library Event

FreepikImage

Mental health issues are experienced by almost 1 in 7 Children and Adolescents aged 4-17.  Spend time with and ask questions of those who know so much about this increasing issue.

Come into the Pearl Cove Library and borrow one of our 'living books' to learn more about mental health for mental health awareness month!  

There will be 4 'books' to meet and you will be in groups of 5 talking to those who have a lot of knowledge about this issue that is experienced by so many.

Location: Pearl Cove Library,

The Pearl Room

Date:  Friday 3^rd September

Time:  7-9pm

Cost:  This event is free! 

(bookings essential)  

RSVP: events@pearlcovelibrary 

or call us on 9452 5252 to book or for more information. 

 

Refreshments and snacks will be provided.  

Come along and get to know more about mental health as well as meet some new people!

What is a Living Library?

A living library is an event which gives those who attend an opportunity to ‘borrow’ a ‘living book’ (a person) for a specific time frame to talk and discuss about anything to do with the theme of the event- in this case, mental health!

For more information about mental health, visit: https://www.ruok.org.au.