With extra folks affected by melancholy and nervousness because the begin of the pandemic, this 12 months’s Well being Truthful in Saratoga — again from a two 12 months hiatus– can have a particular give attention to psychological well being.
To “cease the stigma” round psychological well being and spotlight native sources, the Saratoga Space Senior Coordinating Council partnered with Los Gatos Excessive College’s Counseling and Help Providers for Youth to host the free occasion 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the college on Sept. 10. It's open to all ages.
“Popping out of the pandemic … there was simply an amazing have to do one thing,” SASCC’s Govt Director Tylor Taylor mentioned. “We wish folks to really feel snug looking for out assist.”
Anxiousness and melancholy rose by 25% worldwide because the begin of the pandemic, in response to the World Well being Group. Greater than a 3rd of highschool college students mentioned they skilled poor psychological well being, the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention reported.
About 30% of Los Gatos residents over 60 dwell with melancholy, in response to a SASCC survey, and 80% of residents over 60 mentioned they don't have entry to high quality psychological well being care.
Taylor mentioned he hopes the occasion, which might be held at Los Gatos Excessive College situated at 20 Excessive College Courtroom, breaks down stigma and affords useful sources to residents.
County Supervisor Joe Simitian, Los Gatos Mayor Rob Rennie and Councilmember Marico Sayoc will converse on the occasion and hand out awards for group service. Greater than 45 native organizations are anticipated to be represented on the occasion, together with AARP, Pink Cross, County Hearth, and Subsequent Door Options to Home Violence.
The occasion additionally will supply psychological well being workshops, pet adoptions, artwork remedy, ice cream, flu photographs and even characteristic a dunk tank.
“What we needed to do with this well being truthful is look, we’ve all skilled [the pandemic] collectively, why don’t we come check out psychological well being…destigmatize having psychological well being points… and learn to get help, however in a really uplifting, enjoyable surroundings with a lot of sources and consultants that may educate and encourage,” Taylor mentioned.
The organizers additionally made an effort to incorporate actions that can appeal to youngsters and younger folks, like bounce homes and free ice cream.
SASCC hosted well being festivals previously that centered on senior and basic well being from 2017 to 2019, however like many different occasions took a pause in the course of the pandemic. It introduced the occasion again with an emphasis on psychological well being for the primary time.
“These items that we now have all confronted as a society — the isolation, being reduce off, probably not realizing what to belief and what to not belief in your on-line sources, being confused about learn how to transfer ahead in life — these are issues older adults have struggled with,” Taylor mentioned.
SASCC leaders additionally plan to announce their latest pilot program — but to be named — that can supply native seniors a group of on-line programs on all the pieces from meals and wine pairings to learn how to get again into the workforce.
In 2018, SASCC hosted its first-ever “age pleasant” well being occasion that went past simply senior providers. Age Pleasant is an initiative from the World Well being Group that goals to make cities extra accessible for older adults.
The group additionally labored with then-president of the school Brad Davis to designate WVC because the nation’s first and solely age-friendly group faculty campus.