Open Mind gets involved in local health community events

Open Mind took part in a special 'health MOT' held at the Oasis Academy in Enfield. The event was organised by Enfield North MP, Joan Ryan. She said: "We all should be able to enjoy good health and so we all need the right advice and information to take control of our own lives. That’s why I’m delighted to organise this community event for residents to get the right advice from the professionals and to find out about the new, improved health centre services that available”.

While medical staff were on hand to discuss issues from diet and fitness to cancer screening and blood pressure, Open Mind provided much needed advice on mental health and employment. The information was largely designed to raise awareness of the high numbers of employees who are affected by mental health problems on a regular basis. Open Mind also distributed specific resources for small businesses to use to help them get to grips with the key issues around managing stress in the workplace, since stress is often a precursor to more serious mental health conditions.

In the current economic climate, increases in demand and customer expectations are often set against budget cuts and limited resources meaning that many people are having to cope with heavier workloads, tighter deadlines – and less expectation of a raise at the end of it all. “Factors like these are often linked to higher levels of work-related stress ” said Mukesh Gohil “and when individual employees are unwell, organisations can be affected across the board”.

As people wandered around the various displays and exhibitions, they were invited to give their views on the new NHS community health centres which are being rolled out as part of the NHS healthcare programme for London Involving Local authorities, London Councils, MPs PCTs , clinicians and interested members of the public . The large supply of free fruit proved to be a successful incentive to engage with visitors’ children.