SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — A recent screening by the Westmoreland Health department’s Linnette Vassell-Robinson revealed signs of depression in six of 25 participants, five of them female students.

“The common trend was thoughts of suicide, lack of concentration, and relationship problems with parents/guardians,” Vassell-Robinson said. “The key to this is to find someone they can trust and look up to; to give assurance; allow them to cry/relieve tension; listen to them; give them hope,” she said at last Thursday’s health fair to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the

The United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands’ Savanna-la-Mar congregation.

The fair which lasted over seven hours and attracted a crowd of over 500, was made possible through a partnership with the Westmoreland Health Department, the Western Region Health Authority, pharmaceutical producers and distributors. It represents one of several activitie that the church will stage to mark the milestone.

Other participating agencies included the National Council on Drug Abuse, the Registrar General’s Department and the National Health Fund.

“As a Church we don’t only prepare people for Heaven but also to live on earth,” explained Reverend Trevor Hylton, the Minister-in-charge. “Good health is part of the nation’s wealth and this is one way of giving back…connecting with the community.”

Participants benefited from lectures, handouts and posters on drug abuse, mental health, safe sex practices, food safety, nutrition, water- borne disease prevention, and the birth registration process.

Over 400 persons received vital body function checks free-of-cost. Of this some 350 had blood sugar tests; over 50 had HIV tests, while others received tests for blood pressure, blood cholesterol, depression screening and height and weight checks. Pap Smear tests were conducted at a subsidized cost of $400 to the patient while the Jamaica Cancer Society donated the slide.

Two children were immunized by the WHD.

According to Vassell Robinson, the findings highlighted the need for members of the society to be more proactive by watching out for the welfare of the nation’s children.

“Sometimes they can reach out but also outsiders can be vigilant and recognise there is a problem and assist. And because safety and security is important that’s why every child needs a mentor,” she said.