To focus awareness on the importance of good mental health, and to provide current, accurate mental health information, local organizations will host the second annual Mind Matters Health Fair.

The event will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. Free and open to the public, the health fair will be held in the Kahlmus Auditorium at Mississippi State University-Meridian, located at 1000 Hwy. 19 North.

More than 25 organizations will participate in the Mind Matters Health Fair. Activities will include health screenings such as glucose, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, bone density, depression, anxiety, alcohol use and more.

“Studies show that people go to the doctor with physical complaints such as back ache, stomach ache, headaches, sleep disturbance, etc., that are often rooted in depression or stress-related illness,” said Amy Bishop, director of Alcohol and Drug Services at Weems Community Mental Health Center. “Research also now confirms the close link between many illnesses such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease and autoimmune disorders and mental health, especially depression. We’re including the conventional health fair screenings to underscore the close relationship between the health of the mind and body.”

Sponsors of the Mind Matters Health Fair are the National Alliance on Mental Illness-Meridian Affiliate, Weems Community Mental Health Center, Alliance Health Center, Pine Grove Behavioral Health Outreach Center and the MSU-Meridian Wellness Therapy Institute.

In addition to the health screenings and information from area resource, medical and social service agencies, material will be available on such topics as children’s mental health, drug and alcohol prevention education, drug and alcohol treatment, suicide prevention, depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and more.

Two special events are planned during the Mind Matters Health Fair.

The first is the kick-off of the East Central Mississippi regional implementation of a national mental health anti-stigma campaign. Called “What a Difference a Friend Makes,” this campaign targets 18-25 year olds and seeks to help reduce the stigma and shame associated with mental health problems. Stigma is cited as the number one barrier to seeking treatment. Additional barriers include myths about mental illness and poor access to treatment and insurance reimbursement. The program will begin at 11 a.m. in the Kahlmus Auditorium.

One of the speakers at the program will be Teresa Mosley of Clinton, whose daughter Elizabeth committed suicide in 2006 at age 15. Mosley is passionate about helping people understand that mental health problems can affect any one, any family.

“There’s no shame in being identified as having a mental health problem except in being ashamed to admit you need help,” said Mosley in a telephone interview. “I have to be my daughter’s voice because she’s not here. I think she would want people to know that it’s okay to have depression — it’s okay as long as you seek help I’m trying to change the way people feel about mental illness. Many people have a ‘not in my house’ attitude.”

The mental health anti-stigma campaign has the theme, “What a Difference a Friend Makes.” That a good approach, according to Mosley. “My daughter told a friend she was going to do it. But we haven’t taught our kids how to handle this. I hope in the long-term, we will have something in our schools to teach kids how to deal with stress and educate them about depression, anxiety and other mental health issues.”

According to recent statistics from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration statistics, the prevalence of serious mental health conditions among people age 18 to 25 is almost double that of the general population. Yet, adults at this age show the lowest rate of help-seeking behaviors. The study found individuals in this age group are more likely to confide in a friend if they are having emotional problems, so the campaign provides information on how to help a friend in trouble. For more information on the campaign, visit www.whatadifference.org.

At 5:30 p.m., NAMI-Meridian will hold its annual Candlelight Vigil, honoring and remembering those with mental illness and their family members. The public is invited for this short, moving ceremony.

For more information about the Mind Matters Health Fair, “What a Difference a Friend Makes” campaign and the NAMI-Meridian candlelight vigil, call (601) 483-4821 or email pcemmons@weemsmh.com.