Region Västernorrland Highlights Mental Health Awareness During National Psychiatry Week

Region Västernorrland is set to host a series of mental health awareness activities from November 3-9 as part of the national psychiatry week. The initiatives aim to enhance understanding and community support around mental illness, with events taking place in Örnsköldsvik and Sollefteå. In Örnsköldsvik, the theme “The Power of Community” underscores the importance of shared experiences and knowledge. A notable moment will be a personal testimony of recovery after a suicide attempt, intended to offer hope and insight. The week will also mark the launch of “Jobbigt hemma,” a new digital support portal for children dealing with parental mental illness or addiction. Discussions will cover topics such as brain fatigue, borderline personality disorder, risk factors for youth online, and how positive lifestyle factors like nutrition and exercise can improve mental and physical health. Nature guide students will conclude the week with activities exploring nature’s healing power. Meanwhile, Sollefteå’s events focus on chronic pain, youth well-being, and the impact of sleep, nutrition, and exercise on health. The program includes the play “Skuggsyskon,” which explores childhood experiences overshadowed by siblings with special needs, alongside lectures on preventing drug use in young people. All activities are free and open to the public, reflecting Region Västernorrland’s commitment to fostering mental health awareness and support in the community. While another article highlights the relationship between respiratory diseases and mental health, including anxiety and depression, the main focus remains on engagement and education during the psychiatry week in Västernorrland (124268, 124277).