Welcome to Be Kind Townsville

At Be Kind Townsville, we are dedicated to fostering a community of compassion, support, and mental well-being. Our mission is to help individuals find peace and purpose in their lives by providing resources, support, and a safe space for those struggling with mental health issues.

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Join Us in Spreading Kindness

At 15, Amy Simmons tried to take her life for the first time. At 16, she tried again. A tumultuous relationship with mental health, homelessness, addiction, public humiliation, and stigma marked the years that followed. At 20, Amy found the courage to seek help by walking into a counseling center and starting her path to healing. Now, at 25, she has channeled her experiences into creating Be Kind Townsville.

Be Kind Townsville aims to initiate public dialogues around mental health through various social events, including Sausage Sizzles, school talks, and merchandise sales. We encourage everyone to be kind and compassionate, recognizing that we fight invisible battles.

Join Us in Spreading Kindness

Learn About Our Programs: Discover how we support mental health through workshops, counseling, and community events.
Get Involved: Find out how you can contribute to our mission through volunteering, donating, or participating in our activities.
Stay Informed: Read the latest news, articles, and mental health and well-being updates.

Upcoming Events

Sausage Sizzles: Join us for community gatherings to raise awareness and support mental health initiatives.
School Talks: Educational sessions in schools to promote mental well-being and kindness.
Merchandise Sales: Support our cause by purchasing Be Kind Townsville merchandise.

Your support is crucial to our success. Whether you’re a volunteer, donor, or advocate, you can play a vital role in creating a kinder, more supportive community. Get involved, stay informed, and help us make a difference.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or need support, please get in touch with us. Together, we can build a community of kindness and support.

Exceptional Usability

Together, we can make a difference. Join our community of advocates, volunteers, and supporters in creating a kinder, more supportive Townsville. Explore our website to learn more about our initiatives, success stories, and how you can get involved.

Learn About Our Programs: Discover how we support mental health through workshops, counseling, and community events.

Get Involved: Find out how you can contribute to our mission through volunteering, donating, or participating in our activities.

Stay Informed: Read the latest news, articles, and mental health and well-being updates.

What prompted you to start Be Kind Townsville? Was it a conscious decision to include “be kind” in your name? Was it an attempt to reinforce the idea of kindness and the importance of it when dealing with people with mental health issues?

After facing years of mental health concerns, homelessness, addiction, trauma and grief, I eventually built up the courage to seek help through headspace Townsville. My time there was a crucial turning point in my life and recovery. However, it was the kindness, patience and acceptance shown by my therapist and even her therapy dogs that got me thinking about the vital role kindness plays in rebuilding the fragile emotional state of those suffering from mental health issues. That experience prompted me to start Be Kind Townville which encourages people to talk freely about mental health, seek help when in mental agony, and approach those with mental health issues with compassion.

The title Be Kind was an easy decision to make. I wanted to remind people that there’s much kindness out there and use the name of my business to reinforce the fact. It seemed simple, easy and got straight to the point of what we’re about.

At 15, Amy Simmons tried to take her life for the first time. At 16, she tried again. In the years that followed, Amy’s tumultuous relationship with mental health and consequent issues continued unabated. She battled homelessness, addiction, public humiliation and stigma, and saw her loved ones succumb to various illnesses. At 20, the Australian finally worked up the courage to walk through the door of a counselling centre and seek the help she so desperately needed.
Now at 25, Amy is steadily on the path to healing and has channelised her lingering internal pain and turmoil into creating Be Kind Townsville, a social enterprise that aims to initiate public dialogues around mental health through myriad social events like Sausage Sizzles, talks in Schools, and by selling merchandise. The initiative encourages people to be kind and compassionate towards not only those with fragile mental health well-being but everyone; for, all of us, says Amy, is fighting an invisible battle.

TAL caught up with the Townsville (North Queensland, Australia) resident to learn more about her wonderful initiative, the factors that led to its creation, the stigma she faced during her troubled teenage years, and her steadfast attempt to stop someone else from walking the path she did.

Before we speak more about your initiative, please tell us something about yourself.

I am 25 years old and was born and raised in country Victoria in a small town called Laanecoorie. I stayed there till I was 14, then moved to Townsville, North Queensland.

I love being creative and enjoy graphic design and painting or creating shirts. I also look after my new puppy; she’s hard work, but she makes me very happy! Professionally, I am a youth worker working with young people in residential care. I also volunteer as part of the Youth Reference Group at headspace Townsville, and I run Be Kind.