To: Social Service Providers

From: Jackson County Healthy Communities Coalition, Behavioral Health Action Team

What:Save the Date for October 14thYou Have the Right to be Happy—Mental Wellness Fair

Mental health is a major public health concern in the United States. Jackson County is no exception. A study conducted in 2011 (SIH, 2012) showed that 11% of emergency department visits involved mental health issues; 25% of teens in the 10th and 12th grade reported having depression symptoms that interfered with daily activities in 2012. Given the complexity of this public health issue, Jackson County Health Department (JCHD) identified behavioral health issues including depression, anxiety, and prescription drug misuse as major priority issues to address in Jackson County.

In honor of Depression Awareness Month, the JCHCC Behavioral Health Action Team is planning a Mental Wellness Fair and would like to invite you to be a part of this community event. Our goal is to provide activities to the public of all ages to convey that everyone has the right to be happy and there are community resources available to assist in your journey. We also aim to emphasize the mental wellness is not just the absence of mental illness, but rather a “state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.” (WHO) We aim to connect people with information that will enable them to identify their own barriers to happiness and provide them with the skills and resources needed to address these barriers.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, October 14, 2017 at University Mall in Carbondale from1:00p.m. to 3:00p.m. We are asking that all vendors plan an activity, provide a door prize and promote the event with your constituency. The activities should be interactive, focus on skill building and be fun; for example, distributing stress dots or stress balls, jumping rope for happiness, etc.

To reserve your booth space, fill out the attached registration form with your contact info and send to Liz Toomey at or call her at 618-453-8454by September 27, 2017.

Sincerely,

Jackson County Healthy Communities Coalition, Behavioral Health Action Team

You Have a Right to be Happy Mental Wellness Fair

October 14th from 1:00pm-3:00pm

University Mall

Registration Form

Goal of Fair

Provide skill building, education and resources on mental health wellness with a focus on prevention and treatment of depression and anxiety to residents of all ages.

Vendor Requirements

  • Set up a booth with your organization’s information and health resources
  • Donate an item for the event’s raffle (optional)
  • Create an activity :
  • Should be centered around thee “Everyone has aright to be happy” and should show participantscommunity resources available for maintaining mental wellness
  • Examples of activities include (but not limited to):

  • Healthy relationships
  • Presentations/Video showings
  • Journaling
  • Relaxation Activities
  • Massage
  • Physical activity demonstrations
  • Jeopardy Game
  • Guided Imagery exercise
  • Yoga moves for stress etc.
  • Stress Bingo
  • Diaphragmatic breathing

To register for this event, please complete the following and send to: .

Name: ______

Agency: ______

Phone Number: ______Email: ______

Activity: ______

Donation Item: ______

Set-Up Requests (e.g. # of chairs/tables, electricity access): ______