Worthing Mental Health Awareness Week (WMHAW), now in its 7th year, is an informative and support event full of free talks, workshops, presentations and information.
Events for this year’s week, at Offington Park Methodist Church, South Farm Road, adjacent Broadwater Green, are available on the website and on the WMHAW Facebook and Twitter pages.
The aim of the week is to challenge the stigma around mental health and to provide good quality information in a safe and non-judgemental environment. On Tuesday 8 October the focus is on Dementia and carers.
Most of the events are free and open to all. Local charities, organisations and groups will have displays in the ‘Information Centre’ and there will be a variety of workshops and talks designed to promote positive mental health throughout the week.
The week will be launched on Monday 7 October by the Mayor of Worthing Cllr Hazel Thorpe, followed by the Mayor’s Chaplain lighting a Peace Candle.
The first day’s presentations will include Safe In Sussex: Breaking the Cycle of Domestic Abuse; National Tremor Foundations talking about physical and mental wellbeing and in the evening (7-9pm) Worthing Mental Health Carers will hold an Open Meeting with Dr Rick Fraser from the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust as the guest speaker.
On Tuesday 8 October the programme is focused on Dementia and include an open meeting of Dementia Friendly Worthing at 4 pm. Memory Box will be present all day; 11.30-12.30 Superstar Arts will present ‘Art for Wellbeing’; 1.30-2.15 the Worthing Town Cryers will talk about Living Well with Dementia and at 2.15 there is a drop-in Memory Cafe with Hazel Child music therapist and Ric Gray who is cognitive stimulation therapist.
On Wednesday 9 October there is mental Health First Aid training; A Time for Peace and Quietness followed by Night prayer at 5pm.
Activities on Thursday and Friday, include sessions on Being Active, Pop-up Colour and Mindfulness.