Good health is about more than taking care of the body. Our emotional wellbeing, relationships, sense of connection, and ability to find joy all play an important role in living a healthy and balanced life. This month, the Mental Health Foundation is bringing that message to the community with The Happiness Event – a lively afternoon celebrating mental wellness, connection, and 25 years of mental health services in St. Maarten. Taking place this Friday, October 9, from 3:00pm to 7:00pm, at the Mental Health Foundation on Leopard Road #1 in Cay Hill, the event is designed as a welcoming, stigma-free space where people of all ages can come together and enjoy an afternoon of fun.
Visitors can look forward to a live DJ, staff meet-and-greets, community partner information booths, activities for children and adults, food and beverage vendors, special guests, and free raffle prizes and goodie bags. Staff and clients of the Mental Health Foundation will also be hand to share information about the services and support that are available to the community. The Happiness Event also marks an important milestone for the Mental Health Foundation, which has spent the past 25 years supporting individuals, families, and the wider St. Maarten community.
“Good mental health matters,” says Dr. Hendrikus van Gaalen, Medical Director of the Mental Health Foundation. He says the event is an opportunity to reflect on the Foundation's journey while strengthening the connections that help communities thrive.
From a health and beauty lifestyle perspective, that message is particularly relevant. Mental wellbeing can influence how we experience everyday life – from our relationships and confidence to our ability to manage stress and enjoy the moments that bring us happiness. Creating time for connection, laughter, relaxation, and community can be meaningful parts of a healthy lifestyle.
But mental wellness is also about knowing where to turn when life becomes difficult. The Mental Health Foundation offers a range of services designed to support people at different stages of their mental health journey. Its clinic provides assessment, psychiatric and psychological care, medication management, psychotherapy, psychoeducation and aftercare for adults and children experiencing emotional or mental distress.
For people who may have difficulty coming to the Foundation, MHF also provides care at home. Its Faraja Day Treatment Center offers education, guidance, support and empowerment, helping adults build confidence and skills for greater participation in everyday life. The Foundation also provides short- and long-term structured care for adults who benefit from ongoing professional guidance and supervision. And when someone is experiencing a mental health crisis, specialized help is available.
MHF's emergency crisis response team includes a psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse and case manager who are available to respond when a person is in crisis. This is an emergency mental health response service, not a telephone talk line. The team assesses the situation and works as part of the broader crisis response system. The confidential crisis line is 585-5556. Approximately 50 people work at the Mental Health Foundation, including three psychiatrists, four psychologists, and eight psychiatric social workers who provide services to clients at the Faraja Adult Day Center.
The Happiness Event offers an opportunity to learn more about these services in a relaxed setting, meet the people behind them, and – perhaps most importantly – remember that mental health is part of health. Sometimes caring for ourselves means taking a walk, spending time with people we love or finding something that makes us laugh. Sometimes it means asking for help. Both are meaningful steps toward a healthier, happier life.
For general information and appointments, MHF can be reached at +1 (721) 542-1677.
