A series of events have been launched to launch Suffolk Health and Wellbeing Month 2013, a month long campaign aimed at breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health.A series of events have today been launched to launch Suffolk Health and Wellbeing Month 2013, a month long campaign aimed at breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health.
A series of events have today been launched to launch Suffolk Health and Wellbeing Month 2013, a month long campaign aimed at breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health.
This is the fourth year the Suffolk Health and Wellbeing Month campaign has run. The focus this year is ‘isolation’, which ties in with the theme for World Mental Health Day on 10 October.
The month sees health and care organisations join forces to host events that will show members of the public with mental health problems that they are not alone.
Suffolk Libraries is working with various organisations such as Suffolk Family Carers, Suffolk Mind, Together, HealthWatch and Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, to hold a series of events on 10 October and throughout the month:
- Woodbridge Library are holding an event with Suffolk Coastal Voluntary and Statutory Partnership for Mental Health (VASP) which will include a poetry workshop aiming to make people think about mental health issues. This will involve learning about creative poetry and prose and a chance to write your own verse under the expert tuition of Pete Watkins.
- There will be an opportunity to meet and talk to mental health professionals as well as a chance to sample some complementary therapies courtesy of The Woodbridge Complementary Centre.
- Sudbury Library, working with Sudbury VASP and Suffolk Mind will be running an ‘expressions board’ board workshop from 10am. There will also be a first aid taster session from 1pm to 3pm, providing information for people who may deal with a first aid situation involving a mental health issue. There will also be a coffee session to fundraise for the Norfolk and Suffolk Mental Health Foundation from 3pm to 4pm.
- The Sudbury VASP will also be holding an event in Market Hill on the same day.
- Felixstowe Library are holding a yoga session run by a local yoga teacher from 12pm to 4pm. The sessions will focus on helping people with their breathing and relaxation and there is a suggested voluntary donation of £2.
David Grimmer, Mental Health and Wellbeing Co-ordinator for Suffolk Libraries, said: “I’m really pleased that Suffolk Libraries has been able to take part in this important month again this year. Many events across the county give people the chance to improve their wellbeing in creative and fun ways. Please come along!”
Other events being held during the month include:
- A mental health festival – Sowing the Seeds of Wellbeing – at Jimmy’s Farm in Wherstead this Saturday 5 October from 10am to 2pm. This will include an outdoor cinema, information stalls, music and more. This event has been organised by Suffolk User Forum in partnership with Suffolk Libraries, Suffolk Mind and the Suffolk VASP.
- An information event in the main shopping area of London Road in Lowestoft on Saturday 5 October from 11am to 3pm to promote mental wellbeing within the wider community. There will be bands, singers, stilt walkers and a tombola.
- A sports events organised by staff at Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust to be held on 10 October from 1pm to 3pm at St Clement’s Hospital in Ipswich.
- A drop-in event at the Burton Centre, next to Haverhill Library, on Friday 11 October between 10am and 2pm where friendly experts will be offering support, advice and the chance to chat about mental health.
For a more events and activities taking place during October for Suffolk Health and Wellbeing Month you can visit www.suffolklibraries.co.uk/mhis
Suffolk Libraries Mental Health and Wellbeing service are also promoting a collection of mood-boosting books which have been recommended by national book groups for having a calming and mood-improving effect. 24 libraries across the county will be promoting the books which are available from the general Suffolk Libraries Catalogue.
Suffolk Health and Wellbeing Month is co-ordinated by Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust,
Suffolk Libraries, Suffolk Mind and Suffolk’s Voluntary and Statutory Partnership (VASP).
The VASP was formed approximately 14 years ago by four members who covered the West Suffolk area with the intention of ensuring all mental health organisations worked together and helped to identify and address any gaps in the mental health service. Now the VASP has grown to incorporate all of Suffolk and Thetford, with more than 75 organisations working together to raise awareness of and improve mental health services across the county and change the public’s perception of mental health to reduce stigma.
