Stories of Activate Mental Health

It was a cold and rainy night and I was late to Activate Mental Health’s 10th Anniversary Games Night. I was coming from work and ran through the rain in the carpark into the light of the Victoria Park Community Centre. It was cosy and everyone was deep into different board games: Monopoly, Blokus, Rhymes with Duck, UNO No Mercy.

First up in the Creative Community Series we have volunteer Karma, whose beautiful poem kickstarted the idea for this blog series.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is a psychological framework that helps us understand human motivation, well-being, and the conditions that support growth. It suggests that our most basic needs must be met before we can fully focus on higher goals like confidence, meaning, and self-actualisation.

All of Activate Mental Health’s sponsors have proudly renewed their support for another year, backing our mission to reduce isolation and strengthen community wellbeing across Perth.

Activate Mental Health’s decade‑long journey was celebrated at the Rotary Club of Perth, whose generous new donation initiative highlights the strong partnerships helping our community grow.

When I realised that I had emerged from the Community Centre with my party hat still on, I took it off sheepishly but I know that Activate has given me more than a party, a hat or really good brownies. It has given me hope.

Activate Mental Health is a decade‑strong, volunteer‑powered community proving that connection can beat loneliness, and now needs support to sustainably grow its impact across Perth.

Founded in 2016 to combat social isolation through activity-based support, Activate Mental Health is celebrating 10 years of community impact in Perth

How we find simple game of Uno as a powerful tool for connection, laughter, and mental well-being

On this International Day of Happiness, I want to reach out to anyone who feels ‘in between’ whether that’s between countries, careers, emotions, or different stages of life.

As Blog Director, as a silent book club co-host, as another person with lived experience of mental health I would love to hear your stories.

Our 2025 Impact Survey shows Activate Mental Health is strengthening wellbeing, reducing isolation, and building real community across Perth.

Activate Mental Health is a joyful, inclusive, volunteer-powered community where people connect, grow, and support their wellbeing through fun, creative, and welcoming events.

Activate Mental Health is off and running as we gear up for the 2026 HBF Run for a Reason, and we want YOU to join the journey.

Debbie’s story celebrates how Activate Mental Health helped her rediscover joy, connection, and belonging through inclusive events and meaningful friendships.