A public event is being held at St Mary’s Hospital in celebration of Mental Health Awareness Week 2016 (16th-22nd May) and Islanders are being invited along.
A mental health awareness fete is being held on Friday 20th May between 13:00-16:00 to highlight the positive steps people can take to boost their mental wellbeing by focusing on their relationships.
Karen Webb, Ward Sister, Osborne Ward, Sevenacres Mental Health Unit, said:
“We believe individuals urgently need a greater focus on the quality of their relationships. We need to understand just how fundamental relationships are to our health and wellbeing. We cannot flourish as individuals and communities without them. In fact, they are as vital as better-established lifestyle factors, such as eating well, exercising more and stopping smoking.”
There will be lots to see and do at the fete including opportunities to meet the new Admiral Nurses and other staff, learn more about mental health conditions and issues, organisations that support individuals such as the Samaritans, Carers IW, Dragonfly, My Time and others. There will also be performances on the stage by Platform One College musicians, ‘Global Rock’ Dancers, Woodlands Patient music group and ‘Colourful Duo’.
A representative from most areas of the service will be running an activity associated with mental health and there will be games, refreshments, a cake stall and a ‘recovery tree’ provided by the staff from the Mental Health Occupational therapy team. Members of the public will be invited to write on a leaf, a word or phrase about what recovery means for them.
A grand mental health raffle with lots of prizes including 2 Adult tickets for Bestival at Robin Hill in September 2016 will be drawn.
Staff organising the fete have a challenge for the public too. Karen continued:
“We are really excited to be celebrating Mental Health Awareness Week and we are asking everyone to go the extra mile in prioritising their relationships. We are calling on people to make a relationship resolution at the fete ‘to assess how much time we actively commit to building and maintaining good relationships’, and to ask whether we can invest more in being present with and listening to friends, family and colleagues. Being there to support individuals is so important.
“We want to raise awareness of the Island’s mental health services and help break down some of the stigma associated with mental health. This event is for everyone to enjoy.”
The IoW NHS Trust is grateful to staff, the musical and dance entertainers, the voluntary organisations and many others for supporting this event and to Coast and Country for kindly donating a marquee for the Fete.
Parking is limited and usual charges apply. It is advisable to use public transport where possible.
