On Monday 10 October 2022, World Mental Health Day, Worthing Mental Health Awareness Week celebrated its 10th anniversary and began a packed programme of events around mental health in Worthing and beyond.
The awareness week, which took place this year from 10-14 October, was originally founded in 2012 by Carol Barber, Bob Smytherman and Melanie Peters.
The week aims to challenge the stigma surrounding mental health and to provide people with valuable information about mental health concerns in a safe and welcoming environment.
Since its inception, the event has grown each year and continues to reach many local people through the efforts of those involved.
This year, the week began with the lighting of a peace candle by the Worthing Mayor’s chaplain, the Imam from the local Worthing Mosque. The keynote presentation was presented by West Sussex Library services and over 40 local organisations, charities and groups were involved on site at Offington Methodist Church over the course of the week.
There was a wide variety of events, from quizzes to workshops and even just simple chats, all of which were free for people to attend.
This year, on the opening day, Worthing Mayor Councillor Henna Chowdhury presented West Sussex Mind, one of the Mayor's three charities, with a cheque for £5,000 from an anonymous donor. West Sussex Mind CEO, Katie Glover, and trustees, Bob Smytherman and Tanya Marwaha, gratefully accepted the donation.
West Sussex Mind trustee and founder of Worthing Mental Health Awareness Week, Bob, said: “Our awareness week has been well attended with many people seeking advice and support. It has also been a great opportunity to raise the profile of the numerous services available for anyone struggling in Worthing."
If you need support with your mental health, you can find local sources of support on this website.
