KINGSTON, Jamaica — Carleen Coates-Russell, founder of the Global Hands Foundation has partnered with the Jamaica Constabulary Force for the sixth annual Mental Health Fair at the Bounty Hall Primary School in Trelawny on August 10.

Coates-Russell, who is a psych nurse at the University of Pennsylvania in the United States and has ties to Jamaica, says she is deliberate about contributing to the island.

“My parents are from Jamaica. My dad used to go back to Jamaica and give back before he passed away, so I just want to continue his legacy,” she told Observer Online.

Guest speakers at the fair will be Deputy Mayor of Falmouth, Jonathan Bartley and Dr Patrick Harris.

She further said that attendees are recipients of a wide array of essentials each year.

“We usually have a great turn out, because we don’t just provide the mental health aspect of the fair. I usually give out school and food supplies, and wheelchairs, walkers, diapers and a whole lot of different stuff for people that are in need,” Coates-Russell added.

This year’s Mental Health Fair will feature panellists Sofia Commito (MD physiotherapist), Mikkio Thelwell (MD psychiatrist), Lakeshia Ashley-Elliot (licensed clinical social worker/ psycho therapist), Asha Mwendo (PhD psychology), Empress Imani (holistic health and wellness educator) and Roslyn Washington (psychiatrist/ social worker).

According to Washington, she is anticipating a successful event where more Jamaicans are sensitised about the importance of mental health.

“We want to break the stigma of mental health awareness and just educate people and let them know that it’s not about the ‘crazy man’ up the street. If you want to talk about depression, anxiety, grief and loss — these are all things that affect every human being. Those are the things that we are going to talk about. From a holistic approach, we’re going to talk about nutrition, dieting and exercise… we’re just trying to introduce this to the community, and hopefully they will take that information on and change the mindset of how we deal with our emotions and cope with everyday life,” Washington told the Observer Online.

— Kediesha Perry