Building wellness and resilience is a proven asset for individuals’ health and wellbeing, and
given depression is set to become the biggest health problem in the world by 2020, Pay it
Forward day is set to inject laughter and kindness into the lives of Tasmanians.

Mental Health Carers Tasmania (MCHTas) in conjunction with RACT, are holding three
interactive workshops with Award-winning Joyologist Bronwen Williams, to bring happiness and
joy to the Tasmanian community as part of International Pay it Forward day.

MCHTas Chief Executive Officer Wendy Groot said Pay it Forward day was all about giving,
and what better gift to give than the gift of laughter.

“Laughter therapy can help to burn calories, boost blood flow and overall help people have a
healthier headspace, and we saw no more fitting way to celebrate the day than celebrating it
with laughter,” Ms Groot said.

“Pay it Forward day is about making a positive difference, whether it be leaving encouraging
post-it notes in library books, or baking cookies and sharing them with a neighbour or
colleague.

“The idea is that the favour is then passed on by the recipient to another individual, resulting in
a domino-effect of kindness throughout the community.”

Ms Groot said the workshop facilitator, Bronwen Williams, had extensive experience in the
transformative power of laughter and was also an avid practitioner of paying it forward.

It is certain that Bronwyn will have attendees not only chuckling for an hour, but also leaving
the sessions feeling more joyful and positive about life,” she said.

“Each of the three workshops will focus on different areas, including a workshop for families,
one on community development and one that focuses specifically on the workplace
environment.

“The workplace session is a fantastic team building exercise as nothing cuts through barriers,
builds morale or reduces stress like a laughter session, whereas the family sessions allow for
joyful family bonding time – there really is a workshop that will appeal to everyone.”

The workshops will be held on International Pay it Forward day which falls on Thursday, 24
April 2014. Cost of participation is $10 per person, per session with children free for the
families’ workshop.

To RSVP please phone 6228 7448 or email [email protected]. For more
information visit www.mentalhealthcarerstas.org.au.
Mental Health Carers Tasmania (MCHTas) in conjunction with RACT