World Mental Health Day tomorrow
World Mental Health Day on October 10 is an annual event aimed at
raising awareness of mental health issues, which according to the World
Health Organisation (WHO), affects one in 10 people across the globe.
"For too long, mental illness has been the cause of great shame,
causing people to be abandoned by their families, discriminated by
employers and rejected by potential marriage partners. These attitudes
need to change and we need to push and invest more in mental health. The
time for change is now," said Dr. Jayan Mendis, Director, National
Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
The NIMH is promoting various public events which are being supported
by Volunteer Services Overseas (VSO) and funded by the European Union
and other generous donors. Some of these are: Kite flying on Galle Face
Green at 3 pm today. The goal is to raise awareness about mental health
issues and combat the stigma related to mental illness.
March for Mental Health at 5.30 p.m. today will start from the Galle
Face Green and finish at the Vihara Mahadevi Park.Open Day at NIMH on
Monday and Tuesday will be opened at 9 a.m. on Monday by Namal
Rajapaksa, MP.
The event is open to the public and would have an art sale and fun
for the whole family.
It will also have information about getting help for people
experiencing mental health issues.
Pluck a Leaf Fund-raising event at Barefoot Cafe on Saturday in
support of Halfway Home Mulleriyawa at the NIMH Amba Tea Estate has
organised a fund-raising event supported by Barefoot. A hundred
hand-made multi-coloured leaf shaped bags containing organic hand-rolled
tea, donated by Amba Estate, will be on sale alongside other crafts made
by the residents of the Halfway Home Mulleriyawa.
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