Tom Rivers, Editor Posted on May 4, 2024 at 5:16 p.m.
Photo credit: Tom Rivers
ALBION – The group will be participating in a mental health walk and health fair at Bullard Park today. Participants walked along the Crusher Run boardwalk around the perimeter of the park.
The Geneva-Orléans Concern Ministry hosted the event for the first time. Health fair participating agencies include GOMOC, UConnectCare (formerly GCASA), NYS Senior Action Council, Orleans County Department of Mental Health, and Fidelis and Healthy Families (serving Orleans and Niagara Counties). Ta.
Participants were given T-shirts with the words “May your mental health be number four” written on it.
GOMOC Director Jami Allport said the agency hopes to host local events as part of May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month.
Patti Beadle brought two llamas for the event. Beadle is a therapist with the Orleans County Department of Mental Health. She has also been exhibiting llamas for about 30 years. At llama shows, she noticed the animals had a calming effect on visitors.
She is working to get llamas certified as therapy animals.
The beadle will be displayed as “Slick”. Her other llama “Oscar” is behind her.
“When people touch the llama, they feel a sense of calm,” she said.
These people begin their journey toward mental health. There were several signs posted along the trail regarding myths and facts about mental health.
The sign read:
Myth: Children do not experience mental health problems.
Fact: Even very young children can show warning signs of mental health concerns. Early support can help children before mental problems interfere with other developmental needs.
Myth: People with mental health problems are violent and unpredictable.
Fact: The vast majority of people with mental health problems are no more violent than anyone else, or are more likely to be violent. In fact, many people with mental health problems are very active and productive members of their communities.
