World Mental Health Day 2009

The World Mental Health Day is an annual global awareness campaign which aims to promote the needs and rights of residents and help to reduce stigma and discrimination around mental health issues.

Our mental health can vary according to our circumstances and can change across our lifetime, in the same way as our physical health.

Mental health problems are among the most common of all health conditions, and directly affect about a quarter of the population in any one year. Depression and anxiety are the most widespread conditions.

In support of World Mental Health Day 2009, a series of events have been planned across the Borough which aim to raise awareness of mental health and offer an opportunity for people to speak with service providers and gather information about all forms of support for maintaining good mental health. Importantly it also offers support for carers, friends and family of those experiencing mental ill health.

A series of information stalls will be held at which residents can access free information on how to look after their mental health. These will be held at:

Prince Charles Hospital
14th September 9am to 12 noon
28th September 9am to 12 noon
Ty Morlais Surgery Ty Berry Square
1st October 9am to 12noon
Aberfan Surgery Cotrell Street
5th October 9.30am to 12noon
Merthyr Market Stall
6th October 9am to 3pm
Pontcae Surgery, Georgetown
9th October 9am to 12 noon
Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Centre (old Rhydycar)
9th October 10.30am to 3pm

The series of events will culminate in a main event which will be held on Friday 9th October from 10.30am to 3pm at Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Centre. The main event will be officially opened by His Worship the Mayor Glenn Price, and further supported by a local service user and Paul Turner Chair of the World Mental Health Day Planning Group.

A free buffet, refreshments and transport are provided at the main event on Friday 9th October. To book free transport, please contact the Admin Team at Interlink on 01443 485337.

The World Mental Health Day Main Event is a way of working collaboratively towards addressing the needs of our local communities. This day will provide opportunity for service users to engage with providers of services, and will also be a chance for local organisations and partners to showcase the quality and quantity of services available within the County Borough.

All events are free and open to all..

As part of World Mental Health Day 2009, we are also looking for service
users and carers who would like to share their experiences of their lives and mental health. This can be in the form of poems, stories or any
written article. Please forward all articles to: Sian Thomas, Integrated Adult Services, Ty Keir Hardie, Riverside Court, Avenue De Clichy, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8XE. Deadline for submission for articles is the 31st August 2009 and all articles will be displayed at the service users and carers’ Writing Library at the World Mental Health Event at Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Centre on Friday 9th October 2009.

For more information on the World Mental Healthy Day Event please contact Sian Thomas on 01685 725269.