Making mental health high-vis

Townsville is taking a unique approach to making mental health more visible – attempting to break the world record for the most people wearing high-visibility vests at a single venue.

Australians already hold the world record for the “largest dessert pizza”, “the fastest time to solve a Rubik’s cube”, and “the most push-ups in one hour”.

Now on World Mental Health Day – Thursday 10 October – Townsville will attempt to break the Guinness World Record of 2,136 people wearing high-vis vests, at a Bunnings Warehouse carpark.

This free, open-age community initiative is a partnership between the Queensland Alliance for Mental Health, the City of Townsville, Mentally Healthy City Townsville, Bunnings Warehouse, 3M and Mental Health Australia.

As well as breaking the record, organisers are aiming to reduce stigma, promote help seeking and make mental health more visible in North Queensland.

Mental Health Australia CEO Frank Quinlan said the attempt was a fun way to engage a community and promote mental health and wellbeing.

“We’re thrilled to be able to bring this world record attempt to Townsville and the people of North Queensland, especially after the floods in February this year which have had such an impact on the community,” Quinlan said.

“Just bringing the community together to attempt this record and raise awareness for mental health is more than enough to help reduce stigma, and if we do get the record, well that will just be a bonus.”

Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson said he was delighted to support the event.

“Mental health and wellbeing is something I’m extremely passionate about, having fought my own battles over the years,” Thompson said.

“Anything that breaks the stigma and gets people talking about how they’re going is a good thing.”

Interested people can register for the attempt here.