October marks Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to fostering understanding and support for mental health issues. Clinical and organisational psychologist Kelly Mc Farlane underscores the significance of this observance, noting that mental health challenges can affect anyone, whether through stress, loss, or anxiety. These issues impact individuals, families, workplaces, and communities in both positive and negative ways. Mc Farlane emphasizes that understanding mental health is the first step toward protecting it, and global observances like World Mental Health Day on October 10 provide opportunities for collective reflection and practical change. This year’s theme, ‘Access to Services – Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies,’ is particularly relevant in the Caribbean, where natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic have left lasting emotional scars. Mc Farlane highlights the need for increased awareness of available mental health resources, including public sector clinics and hospital mental health departments. She acknowledges that while stigma around mental health is decreasing, it remains a significant barrier to care. Social support, she notes, plays a crucial role in recovery, and she advocates for more campaigns and education to reduce stigma. Mc Farlane also points to encouraging trends, such as increased openness to mental health conversations among younger people and men. For those hesitant to seek help, she advises starting the conversation with someone they trust or a mental health professional. Dietitian Dana Chong adds that nutrition plays a vital role in mental health, with foods like green leafy vegetables, fatty fish, and walnuts boosting brain health. She warns against the negative effects of poor nutrition and processed foods, recommending a balanced diet rich in probiotics and prebiotics. Chong also stresses the importance of hydration and cautions against excessive caffeine and sugar intake. As Mental Health Awareness Month continues, both Mc Farlane and Chong urge individuals to prioritize their mental and physical well-being.
Mental Health Awareness Month: No one is exempt from mental health issues
