The Psychiatry Department at Rashid Hospital, Dubai, is in the process of organizing a mental health awareness campaign to the public between 7th of October till 10th October, 2009. This would be the first unique mental health activity addressed to the public in the United Arab Emirates.
Why a Mental Health awareness day?
Just as physical health is important, so is good mental health. Mental illness can impair performance to do daily work, foster healthy relationships or to cope with daily life stress.
Mental health problems are very common; in fact 1 in 5 people suffer each year and this can cause/affect variety of other common physical illnesses such as heart diseases, diabetes and hypertension.
Effective treatment can improve quality of individual life and increase productivity at work; however, many people do not seek treatment because of lack of knowledge and/or stigma.
Program of the Mental Health Awareness Campaign:
A booth in Emirates Mall and Dubai Festival City for 2 days from 10 am till 10 pm, in which mental health care professionals would meet with the public to address their concerns regarding mental health issues, educate and increase awareness by distributing campaign brochures and promotional gifts.
There will also be a booth at Dubai's Ladies Club on 26th September(date to be confirmed) in the lead up to reach as many people as possible.
Open Day on Friday, the 9th of October at Safa Park in Dubai with the following activities:
Charity Market
This is a fundraising market for the sake of the psychiatric patients of Rashid hospital. The market is proposed to be opened from 10 am till 10 pm, with a break in the middle for Friday prayers. It would sell different items and products such as ladies wear, perfumes, arts and crafts…etc.
Kids’ Activities
The team would organize variety of kids’ activities including coloring, drawing competition, play dough, riding ponies and fun performances by students of different schools in Dubai. The team also proposed to invite Freej mascots who would entertain and attract more audience. The Kids’ activities would start at 2 pm till 9 pm.
Walk-a-thon
The walkathon is for people of different ages and nationalities to show their support and understanding to mental health and to eliminate stigma. The walkathon would be held just outside the park and would start by 5 pm. We plan to invite very important people to participate in this event.
Performances will be ongoing throughout the day and these include The Police Band, Police Mounted horses and Dubai Drums. Harley Davison bikes and Fitness First will also have a display, and other organizations yet to confirm.
Through out the day many prizes will be drawn and given to the lucky person… these include :
- Dental Spa Whitening Treatment
- Fitness First memberships
- Day passes to Dubai Ladies Club
- Day spa treatments
- And numerous other great prizes
There would be a mini-clip on TV aired as educational advertisement on Dubai TV to increase awareness of mental health issues and to drag public attention to the importance of this issue. Moreover, it is expected that variety of popular local TV programs would cover this event.
We are looking for the people of Dubai to support this campaign. They can do this by attending the function on Friday and participating in the walk-a-ton, by donating either time, funds or equipment to help make this a memorable event. At the end of the evening there will be a presentation thanking and acknowledging our sponsors.
The team from Rashid Hospital look forward to seeing everyone at Safa Park on 9th October….
After all Mental Health is everyone's issue.
Please contact any of us to discuss further
Dr. Amal 050 635 2634
Ms. Nada 050 728 8211
Ms. Paula 050 885 7262
Dr. Esbaitah 050 361 5757