Spreading the word about mental health in Rotherham

RMBC chief executive Sharon Kemp shows her support for World Mental Health Day by wearing yellow

Medics from Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) are holding activities for patients, carers, family and friends throughout the day.

Rotherham’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health team will visit venues around the town to raise awareness and reduce stigma around emotional illness.

The Adult Mental Health and Learning Disabilities teams will offer information and advice to help prevent suicide in young men — at the Town Hall from 10am to noon and Rotherham Hospital from 2pm to 4pm.

The team has also joined forces with Open Minds Theatre Company to reduce the stigma of mental health in an imaginative way.

Stage and screen actor Maxine Fone will read extracts from short story The Yellow Wallpaper, written in 1892 by Charlotte Perkins Gilman.

The pioneering work explores one woman’s struggle against depression and the ill effects of poor treatment.

Lawson Pater, RDaSH chairman, said: “Every year we support World Mental Health day to help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health conditions.

“Our staff do a sterling job in holding events and activities to encourage everyone to join in and talk about mental health and wellbeing.”

Visit www.rdash.nhs.uk for more information.