special to The Star

Senior health will be the focus of the third annual Mind Matters Health Fair Thursday at Kahlmus Auditorium on the MSU Meridian campus.

“Each year we have had a different focus,” said Kristen Owen, LPC, president of the Meridian affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and an adult therapist at Weems Community Mental Health Center.

“This year we are focusing on seniors. While their physical health is often a major focus, often their mental health is not considered,” Owen said.

The event combines physical and mental health screenings.

“Mental and physical health combine to make up our overall health. By looking at both together, we reinforce the important concept that mental health needs to be considered equally with physical health,” she said.

The tentative schedule for screenings includes memory, body-mass index, cervical posture, glucose, mood disorders and stress. (Screenings are subject to change.)

In addition to the free screenings, visitors to Mind Matters can receive practical information on a range of subjects, including depression, caregiver stress, breast cancer awareness, drug and alcohol abuse treatment, and many other topics, as well as information on local resources and organizations.

New this year is a Relaxation Zone.

“Stress is a prevalent problem today,” said Owen. “Caregiver stress has recently been recognized as a specific type of stress that affects family members caring for a chronically ill loved one. We are creating an area that offers ideas on relaxation and stress management.”

Owen said the Relaxation Zone will include free brief neck massages.

“If caregivers don’t take care of themselves, they may find themselves unable to take care of their loved ones,” said Owen. “Self-care is important for everyone. Again, individuals often think of self-care in terms of getting enough rest and eating right. That’s important, but they need to tend to their emotional health as well.”

Another important consideration for seniors, said Owen, is that depression often co-occurs with many illnesses that affect this age group, including diabetes, chronic pain, cardiovascular disease, Parkinson’s disease and following a stroke or heart attack.  

“Depression is not a normal part of aging, yet many accept it as unavoidable as they age,” said Owen. “Research now shows that depression can slow the recovery time following an operation or serious illness. Again, we’re encouraging people to look at the entire picture of their health.”

More than 20 organizations will exhibit during Mind Matters. While the theme this year is centered on seniors, there will be information and activities for other age groups.

“We will have information on children’s mental health, young adults and others,” said Owen. “We encourage individuals of all ages to attend. Plus, this is a great outing for Sunday School classes and other groups.”

Two special events are planned during Mind Matters. The first is a program on health issues and seniors. It will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. in the auditorium.

“Melora Jackson from the Mississippi Department of Mental Health will talk about issues affecting caregivers, especially those caring for individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease,” said Pace Cooke Emmons, public relations director at Weems Community Mental Health Center.

“Bill McCain, a NAMI ‘In Our Own Voice’ speaker from Greenwood, will talk about his personal experience with mental illness and aging. “We’ll also look at some of the ways mental and physical health overlap for those 50 and older,” said Emmons.

The Annual NAMI Candlelight Vigil will be held at 6 p.m. in the courtyard outside the Kahlmus Auditorium. The vigil provides an opportunity to honor or remember those with mental illness and their family members and loved ones. The speaker this year is Beverly Pettigrew from Yazoo City, also a NAMI ‘In Our Own Voice’ presenter. The ceremony is open to all, said Owen.

“We encourage everyone who has been affected by mental illness in their family or the illness of a friend or other individual to attend the vigil,” said Owen.

According to statistics from the National Institute of Mental Health, one in four families is affected by mental illness, and one in five Americans will have a diagnosable mental illness in their lifetime.

“Mental illnesses are real, treatable medical conditions,” said Owen. “One thing we hope to do with Mind Matters is reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. Stigma is the number one barrier to seeking treatment. Like other medical conditions, mental illnesses benefit from early intervention and treatment.”

Sponsors of Mind Matters are NAMI-Meridian Affiliate, MSU-Meridian Wellness Therapy Institute, Weems Community Mental Health Center, Central Mississippi Residential Center, East Mississippi State Hospital, Reginald P. White Nursing Facility, Alliance Health Center and Pine Grove Behavioral Health Outreach Center.