WASHINGTON, United States (CMC) — The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) has launched Wellness Week in the Americas, including the Caribbean, with a focus on promoting mental wellbeing.

PAHO said several activities have been scheduled across the region, including a seminar on how to improve wellbeing by reducing stress and achieving more, as well as other events promoting healthy eating and physical activity.

“The slogan for 2017 is ‘Let’s talk about our well-being’, with a focus on promoting mental wellbeing in the places we learn, work, play and love,” PAHO said, stating that, in the region of the Americas, one out of four people suffers from some form of mental illness at some point in their life.

Given the importance of promoting mental and overall well-being, PAHO said it has invited all the countries in the region to participate in the celebration with activities related to this theme.

“This week we promote health and wellbeing throughout the region of the Americas. Together with our partners and communities, Wellness Week celebrates and showcases the work that is being done across the countries of the Americas to promote healthy living, healthy settings, and healthy policies”, said PAHO Director Carissa F Etienne in a public invitation to join in the week’s activities, encouraging everyone to “join the movement and talk about our wellbeing”.

Stress management, healthy eating and physical activity such as yoga and dance are some of the activities that PAHO has planned for this week at its headquarters here.

It said a virtual seminar introducing people to meditation techniques will be open to the general public, both in person at PAHO Headquarters and online.

A highlight of Wellness Week is the “Walk for Health,” an event that started some 20 years ago. On Sunday, PAHO will participate in “Fiesta DC,” an annual celebration of Latino culture in Washington, with health promotion activities and distribution of educational materials. Different types of Wellness Week events are being held in many PAHO offices throughout the Americas.

In Cuba, a full agenda of varied activities has been planned in parks, schools, fairs, and educational events aimed at disease prevention and health promotion, PAHO said.

It said Wellness Week was originally inspired by Caribbean Wellness Day, held each September in the English-speaking Caribbean countries to raise awareness about preventing non-communicable diseases through healthy lifestyles.

Since 2011, communities throughout the hemisphere have participated in activities ranging from walks and bike rides to healthy food fairs, PAHO said.

It said it works with the countries of the Americas to improve the health and quality of life of people throughout the region.