Mental Health Day activities on a grand scale

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) will organise the World Mental Health Day on Wednesday in Colombo under the theme ‘Depression, a Global Crisis’.

The objective of conducting the program on a grand scale is to create public awareness on mental health which has affected one in 10 people across the globe. The NIMH will conduct a series of programs including art and essay exhibitions among mentally retarded children at the National Art Gallery from Tuesday to Thursday from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm.

The NIMH has also organised craft sales, stage drama shows and sports events with the participation of inmates and staff members of the NIMH as part of the commemoration.

The NIMH has also organised the launch and sale of the book, Happy Expressions of Mental Well-being at the National Art Gallery on Tuesday at 9.00 am, to help the livelihood projects of inmates of the NIMH at Angoda.

The `March for Mental Health’ will commence from the National Art Gallery premises on Wednesday at 7.30 am under the patronage of Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena.

The march will end at Lipton Circus and the organising committee has invited the public to join the march to show their solidarity towards mentally retarded people in the country.

Director, NIMH, Dr. Jayan Mendis told the Sunday Observer that the NIMH will also host an open house for the public, featuring an art exhibition, a forum theatre, craft sale, butterfly making project and fun for the whole family.

The event will be officially opened on Friday at 9.00 am by First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, Education Minister Bandula Gunawardane will launch the events on Saturday at 8.00 am. at NIHM, Angoda.

Dr. Mendis said arrangements have been made to provide information on mental health issues to the public. A psycho-geriatric unit will also provide a free memory skills assessment to participants.