BOUNTY HALL, Trelawny — United States-based Golden Hands Foundation, founded by registered nurse Carleen Coates Russell, a Bounty Hall native, recently staged a health fair, which, among other things, provided mental health awareness and psychological education to scores of residents at the New Testament Church of God Church in the community.

The residents of Bounty Hall and surrounding areas received free check-ups and other services from a 15-member medical team made up of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, psychotherapists, case managers, physical therapists, who all work at the hospital where Russell is employed. Local health-care workers also participated in the event.

A number of items, including a commode, wheelchairs, walkers, medical supplies, care packages, refreshments, and back-to-school supplies were also gifted to the throngs of residents.

“We are here in Jamaica to educate people on mental health, but we are not just here for mental health, we are here to give away medical supplies to people who are in need,” Coates Russell told the Jamaica Observer West.

She claimed that she inherited her philanthropic nature from her father, who, she said, used to also give back to his Trelawny community.

“It started with my father who passed away a couple years ago. He used to bring back stuff to Jamaica [from the US] when I was small. I used to watch my father do this. I have been doing it for the past 12 years but the foundation was launched in Jamaica four years ago,” she said.

“But also, at home, back in New Jersey, I take people off the streets and I help people, so I said if I do this in America, why not Jamaica?”

Carl Anthony Bennett, a physically challenged man, who was in dire need of a wheelchair, was among those gifted with the mobility device.

Like himself, his father-in-law Renford Bendison, who transported him to the event from their Dumfries home in the neighbouring parish of St James, was naturally appreciative.

He disclosed that the wheelchair will now assist with the mobility of Bennett, who had to be lifted to be taken from one point to another.

“We are very grateful. When we heard of the fair from a pastor we immediately decided to make use of the opportunity as we had to just lift him to take him from one point to another and it is hard, very, very hard,” Bendison told the Observer West.

Psychiatrist Dr Angel Augustan said the team was warmly received by the patients and other beneficiaries.

“It was a wonderful opportunity to engage a community and to spread mental health awareness. I felt at home, I felt welcome, and it was great to engage and fellowship with everyone.

” It was a great need, not only to break the stigma [of mental illness] but also to provide psycho-education, I think, most importantly. It was honestly amazing to get one-on-one with different people that would come through for some psychotherapy. Additionally, it was good to get some Jamaican food.”

Coates Russell, who said she donated half of her earnings from the four jobs she holds to the health fair, added that she was also assisted by family members and friends.

“I am Jamaican. I work four jobs. So pretty much I am a nurse, I got a little bit of funds from my friends and family, but I work all the time, so I figured I would donate half of my salary,” she explained.

“So next year I am going bigger. So next year we will have a two-day health fair. We have begun to plan already. We are not planning to have it only in Bounty Hall, we are going to go somewhere else. Wherever the need is, that’s where we are going.”