Our first Bhutanese Health and Wellbeing Day a great success

With traditional food, dance showcases and musical performances, ARA’s Bhutanese Health and Wellbeing Day in early January was a great success. Around 60 people came together at the Twelve25 Youth Centre, with a sign language interpreter available.

As well as an opportunity to socialise with friends and other Bhutanese community members, the day also brought important health and wellbeing information to the community, many of whom live with mental and physical health issues.

The sessions included a talk led by a Community Educator from ARA’s domestic violence prevention project about family violence and the vital role that community-led initiatives play in addressing this important issue. Presentations were also made by the Bhutanese Martyrs Memorial and Torture Survivors Society (BHUMMATSS) and SA Disability Care about their programs and weekly activities. The Cancer Council covered topics such as Sun Smart and the Quitline, and a yoga teacher led sessions in ‘meditation yoga and ‘trauma informed yoga’. The latter yoga session was organised by SA BHUMMATS.

Both participants and presenters valued the opportunity to come together, supported by ARA. “This is what our community needed,” said one participant while another said, “It was really great, and it would be good to do it again.”

Thanks to our partnering organisations BHUMMATS and SA Disability care for their contributions and special thanks to our funding body Adelaide PHN.