The Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence (DMHSD) in the Ministry of Health, Agriculture and Human Services joins the rest of the world to commemorate World Mental Health Day on Monday October 10th.
The theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day is “Dignity in Mental Health- Psychological and Mental Health First Aide for All”. According to Dr. Alicia Malcolm, “This theme will enable us to contribute to the goal of taking mental health out of the shadows so that people in general feel more confident in tackling the stigma, isolation and discrimination that continues to plague people with mental health conditions, their families and carers”.
Training in this area is important because mental health problems are common, especially depression, anxiety and misuse of alcohol or other drugs”. According to the World Health Organization World Mental Health Surveys, there is a high lifetime prevalence of mental disorders across the globe.
As part of this year’s observance, the Department commenced the 3rd Annual Mental Health Conference which began earlier this morning at the Ocean Club Resort Conference Room, Providenciales and on Monday members of the Ministry will appear on Health Matters.
During the opening of this morning’s workshop, Premier & Minister of Health, the Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing brought brief remarks.
Areas that are up for discussion includes preserving life where a person maybe at risk of harm, providing help to prevent the mental health problem from becoming more serious, promoting recovery of good mental health and providing comfort to a person with a mental health problem.
