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Shining a spotlight on the impact connection can have on suicide prevention and mental health was central to this year’s Gold Coast Wellbeing Week. Wrapping after a week of fun activities at iconic spots across the Gold Coast, the week was filled with opportunities for connection, conversations and for our community to come together.
With a theme of Connection Starts Here, Gold Coast Wellbeing Week 2026 recognised that feeling connected – to ourselves, to other people and to our community – can make a real difference, particularly when life gets tough.
What is Gold Coast Wellbeing Week?
Gold Coast Wellbeing Week is a citywide initiative that brings the community together through a week of free, inclusive events centred on connection, belonging and wellbeing. The week recognises social connection as an important protective factor against suicide and mental-ill health. Gold Coast Wellbeing Week meets people where they are – creating welcoming, low-barrier opportunities to connect with others while increasing awareness of and access to, local support services and suicide prevention information.
Across seven days, Gold Coasters came together for a diverse range of activities, including morning teas, mindfulness activities, free breakfasts in the park and opportunities to learn more about local support services.
Gold Coast Primary Health Network (GCPHN) was proud to support the event, which was developed by the Gold Coast Suicide Prevention Collaborative and sponsored by City of Gold Coast. Additional community and event partners were also involved.
“Life can feel challenging at times, but connection can make such a difference. Gold Coast Wellbeing Week is about bringing people together, strengthening our sense of community and reminding us that wellbeing can start with something as simple as feeling connected, supported and like we belong,” said Amanda Goodsir, Joint Regional Plan Coordinator at GCPHN.
This year’s program was designed with everyone in mind, with events being held in locations where people could easily connect, participate, feel safe and welcome.
Support was available throughout the week, with organisations including Wesley Mission Queensland, Gold Coast Health, Multicultural Communities Council Gold Coast, StandBy Support After Suicide and Lifeline on hand to connect with community members and offer a check-in and support if needed.
“By making information and support easy to access, Gold Coast Wellbeing Week created opportunities for people to stop, have a conversation and connect with services in a way that felt comfortable for them.” said Amanda.
On Monday, a Seniors Morning Tea was held at New Life Church, Robina.
Manuela Nordmann joined in the fun with her friends, Astrid, Valda and Jan, listening to Brian Upton’s inspiring story of resilience, before jiving in a sea of bubbles with the vivacious On-Land Synchronised Swimmers and sharing in good conversation over coffee and cake.
“This was a wonderful find and really lovely,” said Manuela.
“I was quite impressed with everything – it has touched my heart, and I’m going to get pretty emotional, because I think it was really, really stunning – brilliant!”
Astrid, Valda and Jan agreed – with Valda joking, “As soon as Bobby Darin came up singing ‘Splish Splash, I was taking a bath…’ they had me in one. It was good to get up and do a bit of a wiggle with it.”
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Yellow roses brightened the scene later in the week at Robina Town Centre with The Kindness Spot showing a little kindness can go a long way. The Out of the Shadows Walk on World Suicide Prevention Day brought the community together to remember and honour the lives lost to suicide and to remind each other that no one should have to face their darkest moments alone.
On Friday, Queen Elizabeth Park at Coolangatta was the venue for Be Kind Friday. As the Gold Coast Wellbeing Week team shared on Instagram, “Music, dancing, Zumba, Pilates, free brekkie, coffee, roses, sunshine, new connections… oh, an over 200kg of Lindt chocolate!” Enough said.
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“Whether over a conversation at breakfast, meeting someone new, or joining in a mindfulness activity, the week showed that wellbeing doesn’t have to be complicated,” said Amanda.
“Small moments of connection can help people feel supported, valued and part of something bigger.”
In this spirit, connection pom poms and emotion tokens were used again this year, with the most popular connection pom pom jar being, “Today I connected with someone new.” All of the emotions – from being down or flat, to feeling balanced, hopeful or happy or upbeat – were ok. This week was about acceptance, across the community.
While Gold Coast Wellbeing Week may be over for another year, its message continues: Connection starts with us – and we can all play a part.
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