COME ALONG AND JOIN THE CELEBRTIONS IN NORTH KIRKLEES

Local residents, service users and carers are invited to join in with this years World Mental Health Day celebrations which will take place in North Kirklees on the 5th October 2004.

The event, to mark World Mental Health Day 2004 is being held by the South West Yorkshire Mental Health NHS Trust in partnership with North Kirklees Primary Care Trust at their headquarters at Beckside Court, Batley.

The celebrations will run from 10am to 3pm and will include a free buffet, taster sessions for arts and crafts run by the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, complementary therapies, a drama performance by a group of service users, health advice and much, much more.

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) worker, Aboo-baker Bhana, is helping to organise this year’s event, he said, ‘ One in four people will experience some kind of mental health problem in the course of a year. These World Mental Health Day celebrations play an important role in raising awareness amongst the general public about maintaining their own mental well-being. This year we are focusing on the importance of keeping a good work-life-balance.

Glynis Stirling, who also works for PALS, continued, ‘The day also plays an important role in removing the stigma that is often associated with mental illness and will give service users the opportunity to celebrate their own mental health.

‘We are hoping that this years event will be a fun day, there will be something for everyone and everybody from the local area is welcome to come along and join in.’

All events are open to the public, carers, relatives, staff and people with mental health needs. For more information call Aboo or Glynis on 01924 512275 or Phil Walters, patient and public involvement manager on 327008.

For more information about World Mental Health Day and the events that are being held visit www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk