headspace Southport: Events Calendar 2024

Here's a snapshot of what's happening and where we'll be in 2024. If you want to collaborate on an event or activity with headspace Southport, learn more about how we can help. 

march 

21 march: harmony day

Australia is one of the world's most successful multicultural countries and our cultural diversity is at the heart of who we are. Over half of Australians were born overseas or have at least one parent who was born overseas. Harmony Day is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, from the Traditional Owners of the land to our most recent arrivals.

21 march: national close the gap day

Did you know that in Australia, Aboriginal people’s life expectancy is shorter, with more than double the rate of illness? Close the Gap is underpinned by the belief that when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a genuine say in the design and delivery of policies, programs and services that affect them, better life outcomes are achieved. Every National Close the Gap Day, we have an opportunity to send our governments a clear message that Australians value health equality as a fundamental right for all.

april

7-13 april: QLD youth week

QLD Youth Week is about celebrating young people aged 12 to 25 years and recognizing their positive contributions to our state. This year, we're inviting young people to drop into our centre and ditch their impossible expectations! Come check out our "ditch impossible expectations box", located in our centre's main lobby. 

17 april: youth homelessness matters day

Youth Homelessness Matters Day is a national celebration of young people’s resilience and an important day of advocacy for sustainable and innovative solutions to support the needs of children and young people at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

This year, the Gold Coast Youth Service is hosting a storytelling showcase, with real videos submitted by youth, at the HOTA on April 17th from 2:00pm-5:00pm. Find them on Instagram for more info. 

may

8 may: school info session (headspace, MHEP & Be You)

On the 8th of May, headspace Southport and headspace Upper Coomera will be hosting an event for local high schools. It will be designed for their leadership and wellbeing staff, to get to know headspace Southport and headspace Upper Coomera, and headspace Schools & Communities and hear about our programs and initiatives. There will be presentations from the Mental Health Education Program, Be You, headspace Southport (clinical team), Early Psychosis and Lighthouse.

28-30 may: headspace national forum

This May, the entire headspace network will be coming together to connect, share knowledge and develop learning. We expect almost 1,500 attendees, made up of headspace employees and associated organisations. The best part? It's happening in our own backyard - in Brisbane! We’ll be there, with members of our Youth Advisory Council, to represent Southeast Queensland. 

27 may - 3 june: National Reconciliation Week

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

This year's theme, Now More Than Ever, is a reminder to all of us that no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will —and must —continue.

For National Reconciliation Week this year, our centre will be hosting a waiting room activity to bring attention to this important date. We’ll be launching a colouring contest, showcasing amazing designs by Kaanju, Kuku Ya’u and Girramay artist Emma Hollingsworth (@mulganai) and with a grand prize from aboriginal apparel business Clothing the Gaps (@clothingthegaps).

june

31 may- 1 june: Gold Coast pride festival

This year the Gold Coast Pride Festival is going to be an explosion of colourful activities to celebrate our amazing LGBTQAP+ community. From a drag queen pageant to a beach parade - with live music, parties, and local acts in between – you won’t want to miss this annual event. 

We’ll be on site, supporting the Gold Coast Rainbow Communities Creative Arts Safe Space and meeting young LGBTQAP+ memebers of our community. The Creative Safe Arts Space will showcase talented LGBTQIAP+, queer and neurodiverse artists and performers from the Gold Coast and surrounding areas as they host workshops and creative activities for the community during Pride Fair Day at Macintosh Park.

1-30 june: pride month

It’s that time of year again – Pride Month! Pride Month is an annual celebration of the many contributions made by the LGBTIQAP+ community to history, society, and cultures worldwide. It takes place all over the world, in June, with celebrations that include festivals, parades, parties, and technicolour performances. 

For Pride Month this year, we’ll be hosting colourful activities in our centre. Keep an eye on headspace Southport’s social media channels for themed reels, fun facts, and event recaps all month long.

You can also find us at Benowa State High School hosting an art therapy workshop with identifying students and allies. When finished, this collaborative art piece will be showcased in the school’s library all year round. 

5-28 june: push up challenge

The Push-Up Challenge is Australia’s largest mental health and fitness event. This year, participants will sign up to do 3,249 push-ups over 24 days in June, putting a spotlight on the number of lives lost to suicide in 2022.

Keen to participate in The Push Up Challenge for 2024 and support our centre? Here’s how:

• Rally your friends, family or colleagues and create a team. 
• It’s a big challenge, but there are options to suit every fitness level. You can aim for the half target (1,625) or substitute push-ups with alternative exercises like sit-ups, squats, wall push-ups… Anything goes.
• You can register your team (or join as an individual) and fundraise specifically for headspace Southport using this link.

All funds raised will go toward group programming across our Primary clinical program and Early Psychosis intervention. If you have any questions, reach out to our community team!

14 june: waves forward event

"Without waves, we drift"

Waves Forward is an annual event led by the Multicultural Families Organisation (MFO) in partnership with Gold Coast City Council, Multicultural Communities Gold Coast (MCCGC), TAFE, and the Queensland Police Service.

The program is for Pacific Islander and Maori students to explore education and vocation, or alternative pathways. It's also an opportunity for them to connect with services that can help them overcome the barriers they may be experiencing (ie, mental health). At this event, you can expect a stall holder portion in the morning, keynote speakers, cultural activities and then lunch.

More than 150 students, young people, teachers, and other service organisations are expected to attend.

22 june - 7 july: Gold Coast youth hubs term 2 school holidays activity 

During school holidays, our YAC will be partnering with Gold Coast Youth Hubs and facilitating workshops around the city. They will use the opportunity to casually chat about headspace and how we can help. The Gold Coast Youth Hub sessions are:

• Free
• Drop-in
• Fun
• Social

What’s not to love? Chat to a school-aged young person you are working with and share the details! To find out more click here. 

july

3-10 july: NAIDOC week

Did you know that Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are the oldest, continuous living culture on earth? NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year, to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories, participate in celebrations, and connect. 

During NAIDOC, we'll be at the Titans NAIDOC Day Community event presented by Deadly Choices. We’re setting up a community stall and connecting with Mob in the community. The event will be taking place at the Titans stadium, with Kalwun present as well as Campbell Foundation services on site. 

You can also find our Community Engagement team, and some clinical staff members, at the Kalwun NAIDOC week official launch and a range of the GC NAIDOC Committee NAIDOC events. 

august

27 august: mind & money

headspace has teamed up with Griffith University to host a workshop all about how to deal with the rising cost of living. At this event, expert panellists in finance and mental health will share their top tips on how you can make the most of your hard-earned money and keep a healthy headspace in today's cost-of-living crunch.

This event is for Griffith University, Griffith College & Gold Coast City Council Junior Council students only. Grab your free ticket here. 

september

12 september: R U OK day

A conversation could change a life. On R U Okay Day, we encourage everyone to reach out to their friends, coworkers, and family members and take the time to ask, “Are you okay?”. It may seem simple, but when you take the time to have a conversation with someone you care about and ask the right questions, you never know what might come up. 

On this day, we’ll be sharing resources on things like:

• The signs you might notice if someone is not okay
• How to start a conversation about someone’s mental health
• How to pick the right moment
• What to say during the conversation
• What resources or services you can encourage them to try

12 september: ACCSSQ conference

We’re excited to announce that we’ll be attending the Association of Counsellors in Catholic Secondary Schools Queensland (ACCSSQ) 2024 Conference. At this event, we’ll be hosting a stall and connecting with wellbeing staff with a shared interest in student wellbeing across primary and secondary school settings.

date tbc: TMC harmony cup

Thriving Multicultural Communities (TMC) is a not-for-profit organisation that supports culturally and linguistically diverse communities on the Gold Coast. As leaders in positive change, they host an annual sports tournament every year to promote healthy living and connection in their community. What’s the game? Soccer of course! The TMC Harmony Cup is a big soccer tournament for young people from different cultures to come together, connect, and learn about the importance of living an active, healthy lifestyle. 

14-29 september: Gold Coast youth hubs term 2 school holidays activity 

During school holidays, our YAC will be partnering with Gold Coast Youth Hubs and facilitating workshops around the city. They will use the opportunity to casually chat about headspace and how we can help. The Gold Coast Youth Hub sessions are:

• Free
• Drop-in
• Fun
• Social

What’s not to love? Chat to a school-aged young person you are working with and share the details! To find out more click here. 

24 September: Deadly Day on the Creek

A deadly day out on the land, at Tallebudgera Creek, with cultural activities hosted by Harbrow Mentoring, ⁠a yarn on the beach with Uncle John⁠, fishing, mud crab hunting in the mangroves⁠, spear throwing⁠ and traditional games, with lunch & snacks provided⁠. This is an event for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people engaged with headspace, Kalwun, or Lives Lived Well services on the Gold Coast. To learn more or sign up text 0455 185 128 or email community@headspacesouthport.org.au⁠. 

october

2 october: headspace Southport headspace Day 2024 event

headspace Day is an annual event dedicated to promoting and advocating for the mental health and wellbeing of all young Australians. This year the theme: Pause, Reflect, and Reconnect. 

We have engaged Aunty Erica Eurell to deliver an Indigenous basket-weaving workshop at the Southport Flexible School, where young people will be encouraged to pause, reflect & reconnect with self and country. Our goal is to build trust and relationships between headspace, the school, and this at-risk group of young people. One of our clinical team members will be there to share info about herself, her role, and the support our headspace clinical team can offer. 

9 october: headspace Day 2024

headspace Day is an annual event dedicated to promoting and advocating for the mental health and wellbeing of all young Australians. The headspace network brings headspace day to life across Australia through activations, community and government engagement plus social media. This year's theme is Pause, Reflect, and Reconnect - the importance of reconnecting with the things you love to improve your mental health.

Find helpful resources and learn more about how you can get involved in your classroom or community group here. 

5-13 october: QLD mental health week

For QLD Mental Health Week, we'll be flat-out bouncing from school to school hosting talks and setting up our community stall to let young people know about the free, confidential, and safe mental health services we offer. 

22 october: day of fun

Day of Fun is back on 22nd October!⁠ All Funlab activities at Strike, Holey Moley, Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq, Hijinx Hotel and B. Lucky and Sons start at $8 in support of headspace. ⁠ Visit our two local venues in Surfers Paradise. All proceeds will go directly to our Gold Coast headspace centres to support programs for young people in your community! ⁠ ⁠

Visit Funlab locations on the Gold Coast:

• 1 Elkhorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise Queensland 4217⁠
• 35 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise Queensland 4217 ⁠

Did we mention everything is only $8? See you on the 22nd!

november

16-23 november: safer schoolies

Finishing high school is a big deal. Where better to celebrate than the beautiful Gold Coast? Will headspace Southport be there to join the fun? You know it.

We’ve partnered with Safer Schoolies to help young people navigate the week of festivities with well-being, safety, and mental health in mind. Find us in Surfers Paradise passing out temporary tattoos, offering support, and busting out our most embarrassing dance moves.

We’ll be in a prime spot, beachside with our fellow partners, letting young people know about our awesome online offering – headspace online. A youth-friendly digital platform where you can make a custom mental health toolkit full of helpful tips and resources! 

december

See you in the new year! Our Community Engagement team will be offline this month for 2025 planning.