Focus on your mental health

Friday 10 October 2014

"Mental health is everybody's business" - that's the message behind a special drop-in event at Liberty Wharf today.

You can find out how you can improve your mental health, get ideas on how to help support sufferers and speak to professionals about a career in mental health nursing at the event being run by the Health department.

A number of the Island’s voluntary sector organisations are working with the department to showcase what they do between 11 am and 4 pm and to mark World Mental Health Day.

Anyone can go along to the drop-in session and find out why mental health is so important and learn more about living with Schizophrenia  - the focus of this year’s campaign.

Service Manager and Head of Nursing for Adult Mental Health Marie Leeming said: “This isn’t an event that’s targeted at specific groups – mental health is everybody’s business, and that’s why we are stressing that all are welcome at Liberty Wharf to come and find out more.”

“The event is intended to gather people to talk about mental health, to raise awareness and to challenge stigma. It is also an opportunity for Islanders to find out more about the help and support that is available – the organisations working in this area can make a real difference for those who face mental health challenges, and we want to showcase the services that are on offer.”

The event is also a chance for Islanders to find out more about a career in mental health nursing. The Health department works in partnership with the University of Chester so that students can complete part of their studies in Jersey.

The community organisations involved in the showcase at Liberty Wharf are:

• MIND Jersey

• Jersey Alzheimer's Association

• Jersey Employment Trust

• Jersey BEAT (eating disorder group)

• Jersey Talking Therapies

• TOP (Triumph Over Phobias)

• Samaritans of Jersey

• The NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children)