JUNE is going well, but I think and I am in denial that we are heading to the halfway mark for 2022. Honestly, every month served something delicious on the table and June is already creating some unique menus. I briefly mentioned my church camp and the Finding your Centre event, a discussion on Wellness and Wellbeing in the last column. Church camp was AWESOME. Business Expo was a new addition. The leadership of Love and Faith always tries to do things that will benefit its members and the community. The various presenters were all exceptional and deposited so much that I am still digesting.

One of the best decisions for June was hosting “Finding Your Centre” a discussion on wellness and well-being. It was in collaboration with the National Library as part of the awareness for Mental Health Month. Dr. Nedd and Mr. Nazim joined me on the panel to lead the discussion.

Dr.Nedd is a medical doctor with 17 years of experience in the medical field. She shared some tools that contribute to our wellness and well-being. She shared that teaching music helps her function efficiently in her daily life. “It was a joy sharing and interacting with everyone and reflecting on the many shared stories. The setting, blend of colours, and displays were awesome! Kudos to the Sonia Noel foundation!” Dr Nedd said.

Nazim Hussain is a well-known media personality and the first male Guyana Today host and the manager of the Food Bank at the National Aids Programme. “Finding your Centre Programme encouraged [people] to find their sunshine so as to enhance their well-being in a turbulent world. Time stood still for a moment as hearts spoke of their journey of anguish and their ability to find tools to survive using medicine and spirituality. We have campaigns to save the animals, save the forest and for sure save the planet. Who will save the humans?” Nazim Hussein shared.

Wellness is “the state of being healthy”, especially when you actively try to achieve this.
Well-being, on the other hand, is considered “general health and happiness, a state of emotional/physical/psychological well-being”. May is the time to raise awareness of those living with mental and behavioural health issues and help reduce the stigma so many experience.

“The National Library is especially pleased to collaborate to bring awareness to this poignant issue of those who suffer from mental health. Forums like these assist in removing the stigma, and I commend the people who shared their stories.” Emily King, Chief Librarian shared.

The feedback has been tremendous and you can judge for yourself by some of the remarks that were shared.

“Being the youngest there made me realise that it’s important that I take ‘making a difference’ seriously. Many times I question all the opportunities that I’m being handed, but I think last evening was the last time I’ll question it, providing that my journey is not all glitter and gold, but listening to people open up and being vulnerable about their struggle allowed me to understand that. We all need a support system and I’m standing in the gap for the people on my end.” Sussana Agustine.

“It truly was an empowering evening listening to raw and real stories of persons battling mental health issues and the individual methods that they have been employing to confront the issues.
Thank you, Ms Sonia, for opening up such a conversation while providing the forum for them to freely express themselves without judgement. Acknowledging the stigma, providing information and finding tailor-made solutions is the path we can take to assist victims in managing and overcoming such issues.” Alicia Daniels.

“Mental illness is very prevalent in our communities and enough light is not being shone upon it. A lot of women suffer from no one to talk to, no one to confide in. We had an open conversation about our mental health and what it takes to keep ourselves together. We learned of tools that we can personally use to help ourselves. We learned of mental health and how it affects our lives and our family and how important it is to take care of us. The safe space was given for contributors to feel free to express ourselves with no judgement.” Ms. Hamilton

A healthy outside starts from the inside from the cultivation of thoughts to the things we download or digest. It will be an evening to inspire, motivate and empower and that atmosphere is so needed at the moment.
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“You have only one life. If you are not healthy, you can’t live your life with happiness.
He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything. – Arabian Proverb

The theme for 2022 is “Together for Mental Health.” Let’s take the word together seriously as we continue the celebrate this beautiful life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.