Fun day for mental health
TODAY the Tweed kicked off Mental Health awareness month in fun filled style at Jack Evans Harbour.
The Tweed Mental Health Awareness Family Fun Day was a big hit with more than 1500 people turning up for the event.
Event manager Maria Breene said she was overwhelmed with the support shown by the community.
"It's just fantastic," she said.
"More people turned out than we expected, which is great."
Mrs Breene herself suffers with bi-polar and said the day was about showing everyone how people with mental health problems are normal and can achieve anything.
"It is about removing that stigma and to show we can be active and productive," she said.
"Our information booths were flat out."
She also said the day was to celebrate young carers.
"When a parent had a mental health problem and they're sick in bed the kids don't get to go out," she said.
"This is also a day for kids to have fun and be celebrated."
There were stacks of activities at the event including rock climbing, a mechanical surfboard, music and dance workshops, play dough, tattoos, massage and papering and lots more.
If you were lucky you may have also spotted children painted as fairies and tigers in the crowd.
"An amazing number of families turned out," Mrs Breene said.
About 30 volunteers with mental health problems helped to organise the event with 10 individuals from various support groups in the Tweed Heads area.
Mrs Breene said the event would be back on next year and was hoping it would be just as fabulous next year.
