Local community asked to get moving get creative and get involved
Community groups, organisations, health centres and gyms are amongst those being asked to get involved in a special festival designed to help promote mental wellbeing across Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield.
South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is organising a festival of wellbeing in support of world mental health day from 29th September to 16th October 2009 and is asking local organisations to join in by hosting their own event or activity.
World mental health day takes place on the10th October each year and is celebrated around the world both on the day itself and in the weeks surrounding it. South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is the local specialist provider of NHS mental health and learning disability services and is co-ordinating the festival to raise awareness of mental health issues, reduce stigma and promote wellbeing.
Over two weeks of events and activities are being planned, based around three central themes:
Get moving! An activity or event that has some level of physical activity, either strenuous or mild.
Get creative! An event or activity that encourages creativity, either through taking part or viewing others’ creative work.
Get involved! Most events will meet this theme but some may specifically be about encouraging involvement in activities, groups or local communities.
Events can be large or small, open to the public or to specific groups only. Existing activities and events can also be held in support of the festival, the only criteria is that they must help support mental wellbeing and take place in the communities of Calderdale, Kirklees or Wakefield.
South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s chief executive, Steven Michael, said: "As 1 in 4 of us will experience a mental health problem, this is an ideal opportunity to raise awareness of mental health issues, reduce stigma and promote wellbeing. We’re asking people to think about holding events or activities in support of the festival, any time between 29th September and 16th October.
"We know that creativity, physical activity and social inclusion all make a big difference to wellbeing so our festival is concentrating on these areas. We want people in our local communities to be able to try something new to enhance their wellbeing and hope to see local libraries, sport centres, art venues, health centres, schools and community centres all get involved."
To be a part of the festival, organisations or groups simply need to submit a listing at: www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk where they can also find more information. Or call 0800 587 2108 or email enquires@swyt.nhs.uk.