Mental Health Day
PHILIPSBURG--“Building Awareness – Reducing Risks: Mental Illness and Suicide,” is the theme under which World Mental Health Day is being observed today, Tuesday October 10.
In observance of this day the Mental Health Foundation has organised a panel discussion at Rupert I. Maynard Youth Community Centre in St. Peters on Saturday, October 14, from 7:00pm to 10:00pm.
Panellists include Aisheline Maduro, who will speak about “Teenagers dealing with Depression,” Angela Dekker, who will speak about “Living with a Mentally- challenged Relative,” and Nelson Higgs, who will broach the topic “Addiction Care.”
In a press release, the foundation said an explanation would be given about what it meant for a family to live with a mentally challenged relative. The information that will be supplied is based on information gathered from persons who are living in this situation.
The foundation said the panel would answer questions about what it means for a family to live with a mentally challenged relative: the feelings of not receiving the right information from professionals, not knowing what the symptoms are and the feelings of vulnerability to the opinions and judgments of others.
“How to deal with it as a family, knowing the symptoms and trying to deal with them, dealing with a crisis situation, dealing with weird behaviour and the reactions of other people,” are other questions that will be answered.
The panel will also shed light on how St. Maarten deals with mental illness and what facilities are available. Addiction to alcohol, drugs or even gambling will also be broached.
The foundation said teenagers were going through some very turbulent times and dealing with a lot of issues.
“Teenagers are also dealing with a variety of new experiences ranging from new relationships and decisions about the future to physical changes taking place in their bodies,” the release said. “Teenagers are sometimes overwhelmed by the uncertainties of adolescence and feel they have nowhere to turn. Their search for answers may lead to self-medicating their pain and frustration with alcohol, drugs or sex.”
Panellists will also field questions from attendees.
“It is the intention of the Mental Health Foundation to not only create awareness of the existing problems, but also give opportunity for persons to get to know the foundation and the possibilities of being treated for these problems,” the foundation said.
The public is invited to participate in the panel discussions. Additional information can be obtained from Eileen Healy at tel. 520-8408.
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