Sint Maarten’s Mental Health Foundation held its second annual "Family Fun Day" on Sunday September 2nd 2012 at Le Gallion Beach.
This year, MHF’s Family Fun Day, an event which promotes family unity, togetherness and support to relatives of persons suffering with mental illnesses, coincided with the foundation’s self-made theme for 2012 "Working together- Finding our way to better Mental Health." The foundation believes that only by working together as health care providers, family members and various sectors of the community can we find our way to healthier lives.
50 Persons consisting of clients and their families enjoyed the event.
The day was packed with family fun filled activities like family trivia, sand castle building, game tournaments and dance.
"Appreciation Hour"
All families participated in the "Appreciation Hour" that was also held to provide to family members a platform to show gratitude to each other and the foundation. "It was the intent that family members show appreciation to each other, but most of the gratitude was shown to staff members of the mental health Foundation which was very nice", says one staff member.
Prizes from sponsors
Along with the activities were wonderful to be prizes handed out. The Mental Health Foundation received their gifts from various company’s on the island including: PDG, Office world, Penny’s department store, Kwik Bargains, Mark’s place, IZI Ristorante, Sonesta Maho, Great bay Beach Resort and Mary Boon Hotel with the biggest prizes from Temptations restaurant and Belair Beach Resort. "The prizes given were especially solicited for a specific purpose", says one of Family fun Day organizer." Because of the system we have today, many family members are left with the huge responsibility to provide physical, emotional and ever increasing financial care for their loved ones who are mentally ill. As a result many family members and clients alike are often denied many of the finer things in life that the average individual may take for granted. We are happy to know that the businesses that decided to get involved understood the true value of their gift and understood that many families could not afford such delicacies based on their situation. We would like to thank our sponsors on behalf of the clients and their family members of the Mental Health Foundation for their understanding and unforgettable donations. The donations were the cause of many smiles, much laughter and great happiness.
Along with Staff Members, the Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor the Honorable V.H. Cornelius de Weever, was present to participate in few activities. "It was grand to have our Minister interact with many of the clients their families and MHF staff by participating in the sand castle competition and helping to hand out prizes", says an MHF staff Member.
The Mental Health Foundation would like to thank the Sponsors, the MHF staff for their support of the family fun day.