Despite some logistical challenges this year, the annual Psychiatric Hospital Fun Walk and Run keeps gaining steam.
Recently, senior nursing officer Raymond Lewis said the event was growing by leaps and bounds as they had 1 550 participants last year, though they were dealing with some challenges this time around.
“The walk started in 2017. And despite the lull because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this is our eighth year continuing. Over the last two years, we’ve had an exponential increase in people participating in the walk. We started from just over 100 persons in 2017, and last year, we were at a peak of 1 550 persons.
“So, we’re hoping that we continue that growth and, of course, that can only be possible [through] you, the community; you, the persons at school; you, the persons at work. That’s how we bring mental health together,” he said.
Lewis said there were about 1 000 entrants for the event this year, the theme of which is Mental Health Awareness Month was Community: Supporting Mental Well-being Together.
“This year . . . we’re taking to the streets, creating awareness, getting people to understand what mental health is versus what mental illness is and, of course, understanding that we are still our brothers’ keepers.
“So, together, we’re standing with our brothers and sisters who have that challenge and supporting them, recognising that today it’s them, but tomorrow it can also be us,” he said.
The nursing officer said he was still heartened by the level of participation, with families, skaters and pets all taking part.
“We had some logistical challenges, but we’re working through them. This is the full meaning of what mental health is – despite the challenges that occur, we still pull together, muster our strengths and we make things work.”
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