A group of volunteers celebrated World Mental Health Day 2019 by organizing free basic photography and painting sessions on October 5 and 12, respectively, in collaboration with the private sector.
World Mental Health Day is held every October 10 to raise awareness about mental health issues around the world and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health.
According to Dr. Rommel Sergio, Counselling Psychology expert and Psychology professor at Canadian University Dubai, there are global studies linking the creative arts in preventing depression.
“Therefore, it is imperative that the effectiveness of approaches to the prevention and treatment of depression are understood. Creative arts interventions, including photography, art, dance movement, drama, and music modalities, are utilized internationally to target depression and depressive symptoms in young and older adults,” he added.
The volunteers led by socio-civic leader Art Los Banos partnered with Nikon Middle East whose Digital Media and Training Manager, Cesar ‘Rocky’ Parroco, conducted the basic photography workshop at their JAFZA View office in Jebel Ali; and POWER Technical Training Center, facilitated by Susan Puno Villanueva, an educator and artist herself.
Dr. Sergio and his group, the Psychological Society of the Philippines-UAE, have been giving free mental health and depression talks before various Filipino groups such as Filipino schools and the CFC community.
