On October 10, 2013, the TCIG Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence (DMHSD), Ministry of Health and Human Services will join the World Federation of Mental Health to commemorate World Mental Health Day.
The Department is in support of the initiative as a way to highlight some of the issues surrounding mental health and to raise awareness about these illnesses in the Turks and Caicos Islands. This year’s theme is “Mental health and older adults”.
On that day the Department will be conducting several activities including Mental Health Educational lectures/sessions at the following dates and times:
1. Thursday October 10th from 9:00 am to 12:30pm at the Dillon Hall in Grand
2. 2. Turk and Friday October 11th from 9:00am to 12:30pm at the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) in Providenciales
There will also be a community information drive including information stands at Cockburn Town Medical Center and Cheshire Hall Medical Center.
On Saturday October 12, A Walk to End Alzheimers will begin at 6:30am from the Library Tennis Court in Grand Turk. Check-in and registration is slated to start at 6:00am.
Mental disorders reportedly affect nearly 12 percent of the world’s population- roughly 450 million or about one out of every four people around the world. Here in the Turks and Caicos, 75 to 80 percent of persons referred to the Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence have a diagnosable mental health disorder.
For further information on World Mental Health Day, kindly contact the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Department within the Ministry of Health and Human Services at: 649-946-2801 Ext 50504 Grand Turk or Providenciales 82500.
