A RIVERLAND mental health awareness group has held a virtual art session to help locals stay connected during social isolation.
Riverland Community Suicide Prevention Network (RCSPN) volunteer Joy Smith organised the session, held earlier this month on Zoom.
Ms Smith said she organised the session to allow people to socialise while social distancing measures are in place.
“We were thinking about what we could do safely with the local community to improve mental health and stay connected,” she said.
“I suggested I would do an art work session on Zoom because I like being creative, and they said yes.”
The 40-minute session gave participants the opportunity to draw, paint and have a chat.
“We just had a little session to make sure everything worked out,” Ms Smith said.
“Some people logged in, just to have a chat and a coffee – it was all about connecting with other people.
“Everyone is missing being able to go to their art group or stopping and talking to people, so I think it was a good avenue to meet other people without it feeling too daunting.
Ms Smith said plans for future sessions were in the works.
“We had really good feedback from the people who did it,” she said.
“It’s just good to see something positive happening, and we want to look towards more of those sorts of things.”
The next session will be held on Saturday, May 9 at 3pm.
For more information, visit the RCSPN Facebook page (www.facebook.com/rcspnetwork).