With more people suffering from depression and anxiety since the start of the pandemic, this year’s Health Fair in Saratoga, returning from a two-year hiatus, will have a special focus on mental health.
A “stop the stigma” around mental health and highlighting local resources, the Saratoga Area Senior Coordinating Council partnered with Los Gatos High School Youth Counseling and Support Services to host the free event on 10 at 16 there is school on September 10. It is open to all ages. .
“Coming out of the pandemic … there was just an overwhelming need to do something,” said Tylor Taylor, executive director of SASCC. “We want people to feel comfortable seeking help.”
Anxiety and depression increased by 25% worldwide since the start of the pandemic, according to the World Health Organization. More than a third of high school students said they had poor mental health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported
About 30 percent of Los Gatos residents over 60 live with depression, according to a SASCC survey, and 80 percent of residents over 60 said they don’t have access to quality mental health care .
Taylor said she hopes the event, which will be held at Los Gatos High School, located in Courthouse 20 High School, will break down the stigma and provide helpful resources for residents.
County Supervisor Joe Simitian, Los Gatos Mayor Rob Rennie and Councilman Marico Sayoc will speak at the event and present community service awards. More than 45 local organizations are expected to be represented at the event, including AARP, Red Cross, County Firefighters and Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence.
The event will also offer mental health workshops, pet adoptions, art therapy, ice cream, flu shots and even a dunk tank.
“What we wanted to do with this health fair is to look, we have all lived [the pandemic] together, why don’t we come and take a look at mental health… de-stigmatize mental health issues… and learn how to get support, but in a very stimulating and fun environment with lots of resources and experts who can educate and inspire,” Taylor. said.
Organizers also made an effort to include activities that appeal to children and youth, such as bounce houses and free ice cream.
SASCC hosted health fairs in the past that focused on general and senior health from 2017 to 2019, but like many other events went on hiatus during the pandemic. He brought back the event with an emphasis on mental health for the first time.
“These things that we’ve all faced as a society: the isolation, being isolated, not really knowing what to trust and what not to trust in your online sources, being confused about how to move forward in life, these are things of older adults. I’ve struggled,” Taylor said.
SASCC leaders also plan to announce their newest, yet-to-be-named pilot program that will offer local seniors a collection of online courses on everything from food and wine pairings to how to get back to work force
In 2018, SASCC hosted its first “senior-friendly” health event that went beyond senior services. old friend is an initiative of the World Health Organization that aims to make cities more accessible for the elderly.
The organization also worked with then-college president Brad Davis to designate WVC as the nation’s first and only senior-friendly community college campus.
