May is Mental
Health Month
(PRESS RELEASE)
- All across America including American Samoa, the month of May
has been designated Mental Health Awareness month.
This annual observance,
established more than fifty years ago, was created to raise awareness
of mental health and to promote mental wellness.
Throughout the
month, mental health affiliates and partner organizations will
reach out to their communities to create awareness, and to educate
people about mental illness and to promote good mental health
practices to effectively cope with daily life challenges. The
national theme of this year's campaign is "Get Connected"
and the campaign ribbon color is silver.
In American Samoa,
the Department of Human and Social Services, Mental Health and
Prevention units, along with local affiliates (Governor Togiola
Tulafono, OPAD, LBJ Mental Health Clinic, DPS, Malama TV Station,
radio Station KSBS, Samoa News, the MOM Support Group, and the
Mental Health Advisory Council) have planned community activities
to educate the public and promote healthy mental health practices
in our community throughout May.
The month has
started with Governor Togiola's proclamation designating the
month of May as Mental Health Awareness month. We will have banners
on display in a couple of community locations. During the week
of May 5-9, the Pua Center (where Mental Health and Prevention
units are located), along with support from some of the local
churches, will be soliciting donations from the community for
their consumers.
Items in need
are clothing (new or used) in good condition (all adult male
and female sizes) and personal sized toiletry items such as soap,
shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, lotion, combs and hairbrushes.
The donations
will also be given to our local homeless and those "at risk"
of joining the homeless population.
The "at
risk" of being homeless population includes individuals
in an unstable living environments due to family conflicts, unstable
income, unemployment, lack of social/family support, and who
are also suffering from a serious mental illness.
Throughout the
month there will be information booths set up at different high
traffic locations throughout the community. We will also be getting
information out to people by use of the media and we will be
focusing on various mental health topics.
Dr. Peni Biukoto,
the newly hired Psychiatrist at the LBJ Medical Center, will
be participating in two media interviews. The first one is scheduled
for May 8 at 7:30 a.m. on the Talofa Samoa Program on Malama
channel 4 and the other will be a radio interview, May 14 at
3-3:30 p.m. on KSBS FM 92.1.
The Pua Center's
Prevention Unit is also available all month long to do presentations
on various mental health topics.
If you would
like to set up a presentation for your class, worksite, church
or social group please feel free to call 699-5144 and ask for
Felaugaina Vaina.
So Get Connected
Samoa and remember, A Healthy Mind Is As Important As A Healthy
Body. Good Mental health can help you:
· Effectively
handle life's challenges.
· Enhance
your relationships.
· Balance
your mind, body and spirit.
· Stay
better connected to your family, friends, and your community.
© Osini Faleatasi Inc. dba Samoa
News reserves all rights.
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