The Mental Health Foundation was pleased to be a part of the Lions Club’s annual "Health and Wellness Fair" on Saturday March 26th at the festival village and was very happy about the "good turnout" at their booth.
This was the Mental Health Foundation’s 3rd consecutive participation at the yearly anticipated health & Wellness Fair and like the years past, conducted psychological self-test with a moderate turnout. This year, a mini survey was introduced called an "Attitude Survey" consisting of 15 opinions on Mental Health.
The survey targeted the issue of mental illness and those suffering from a mental illness. Visitors at the booth were invited to take the Attitude Survey after completing any of the anger, stress or relationship self-tests available.
80 persons volunteered (88% female and 12% male) to be a part of the survey and were promise a free muffin as an incentive.
The majority of the respondents were ages 40 and above (53%) while those between 26-40 (23%) and 15-25 (18%) were scarcely represented.
"It is important that we attract the young people to the topic of mental health. Mental illness is no stranger to the young because they see it in their families, amongst their peers and in the community" said Eileen Healy.
Interesting questions such as "Can mental illness happen to anyone" with only 6% agreeing and "You can tell by just looking at someone whether they have a mental illness" with 67% agreeing.
"This speaks volumes about the ideas the public hold about mental health and the need or continuous participation in such events" Said MHF’s Psychiatrist Dr. Sachin Gandotra.
Mental Illness can strike at anyone at any time and at any place and knows no race, religion, age, gender or income. Some forms of mental illnesses may go undetected for years and might only become evident through psychotic behaviors.
"Although the findings of the survey do not reflect the opinions of the community at large it was interesting to know what our booth visitors thought about mental health and about individuals with mental illnesses." Said IP Coordinator, "We cannot be general but we know that there are others in the community who share the same opinion as the respondents in the survey".
The Mental Health Foundation would like to thank the lions Club for their initiative and looks forward to next year’s Health and wellness Fair.