Launch of Mental Health Information Weeks in Gaillac

the essentials The Mutual Self-Help Group (GEM) and its partners are organizing various actions to raise public awareness of mental health, in Gaillac, from October 1 to 19.

The “Mental Health Information Weeks” began on the two markets of Noctambio (Tuesday October 1) and the Place de la Libération in Gaillac (Friday October 4) where the Mutual Self-Help Group (GEM) and several partners of the system, in particular the Medical-Psychological Center, hosted a stand.

The GEM has been, since the beginning, at the heart of the project, but its facilitator, Laure Ngueguan, also coordinator, specifies that it is part of the Local Mental Health Council (CLSM), created in Gaillac in 2019. Its initiatives raise awareness of mental health and remove taboos. The GEM was chosen to coordinate the actions, based on its experience since 2007. The actions will continue on Thursday October 10 with the traditional “Balade Bouffée d’Air” from 10 a.m. at the Oisel municipal sports complex. (Guynemer Avenue).

There will be a welcome around breakfast, an information stand and a walk at your own pace. “We participate if we want to, it is not a hike, but a stroll, a maximum of 5 km for those who want to do it in its entirety,” explains Laure Ngueguan.

Each year has its own theme: in 2019, these “weeks” focused on “mental health in the digital age”. In 2020, the main theme was to be “mental health and discrimination”, but the Covid pandemic forced the cancellation of the meetings. In 2021, the discussion focused on “mental health and respect for rights”, in 2022 on “Mental health and the environment”, in 2023 on “At all ages of life, my mental health is a right”. This year it will be “Moving for our mental health”.

Walk, exhibition, radio show

The action will continue with an exhibition at the Gaillac media library on the theme “mental health and movement”, from Friday October 11 to Saturday October 19, then by a public radio session provided by Radio R d’Autan in the amphitheater, Place de la Libération, Thursday October 7.

Yannick Jauzion and other high-level athletes will participate on stage and answer questions. “In the event of bad weather, the show will take place at the media library,” adds Laure Ngueguan. All CLSM partners are joining forces with these Mental Health Weeks: the town of Gaillac, the Maison de l’Autonomie, the Fondation du Bon Sauveur d’Alby, Césure, Familles Rurales, Gaillac Rando, Mosaïque, Unafam, Ages without borders…

The objective of the Local Mental Health Council is to reach out to the general public to raise awareness of these issues and bring more kindness in outlook and approach.