COME ALONG AND JOIN THE CELEBRTIONS IN PONTEFRACT

Local residents, service users and carers are invited to join in with this years World Mental Health Day celebrations which will take place in Pontefract on the 7th October 2004.

The event, to mark World Mental Health Day 2004 is being held by the South West Yorkshire Mental Health NHS Trust at CISWO Community Centre in Pontefract.

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.

Phil Walters, patient and public involvement manager, is organising 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.

‘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.

‘There was a real party atmosphere at last years celebrations and 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 Zita Dale or Linda O’Gorman at the patient advice and liaison service (PALS) on 01924 328659 or Phil Walters on 327008.

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