Rochdale celebrates World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day - Commissioning Manager Fozia Waseem, Associate Director Karen Hurley, Project Manager Shabnam Sardar, with the Fruit Theatre

People from across the borough have visited an event to celebrate World Mental Health Day.

The event, on Saturday (9 October 2010) organised by NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale, showcased a range of stalls and activities people can get involved in to improve their mental health and wellbeing.

The Body Shop demonstrated their natural products, Rochdale and District Mind put on arts and crafts, Health Trainers gave health checks and Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust asked people to pledge to end the stigma associated with mental health.

Therapists from the borough’s Psychological Therapies Service were also on had to give one to one advice about depression, anxiety and dealing with stress, anger and bereavement. Kids were also treated to face painting, balloon modelling and ’fruit theatre’ to keep everyone entertained.

Mental Health Project Manager, Shabnam Sardar, said: “It was fantastic to see so many people turn out to attend the event. It was a real partnership effort to make sure all local services were there to give advice to the public and show how mental wellbeing can be improved by taking part in sports, the arts, creativity and relaxation.

“Many people don’t realise that one in four of us will suffer some form of mental health problem in our lives, such as depression, anxiety or a more complex condition. High unemployment levels and the credit crunch is causing these figures to rise so we need to make sure local people can access all the support they need.”

For more information on mental health and wellbeing visit www.hmr.nhs.uk/wellbeing