History was created in Grenada on Friday when the Health Minister Hon. Karl Hood, proclaimed October 10 to be “World Mental Health Day”, in St. George’s Grenada. The Minister made the declaration in St. George’s by signing a Proclamation issued by the top level healthcare administrative officers attached to the Mental Health Institution at Mt. Gay. The historic signing ceremony, organized by the Ministry of Health, took place at the Esplanade Mall in St. George’s and was attended by senior officials in the Ministry of Health, members of the Royal Grenada Police Force, St. George’s University, Presentation Brothers College and the local media as well as curious onlookers. The Proclamation urges all non-governmental organizations and governmental agencies to work co-operatively with elected and appointed public policy makers and officials to improve mental health services. It also called for ready access to services by those experiencing serious mental health problems and disorders such as schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and depression. It also stressed the need for all members of the community to increase their understanding of mental disorders and help reduce the stigma and discrimination of mental illness and those affected. After the Proclamation was signed, more than fifty mental patients who witnessed the ceremony marched through the streets of St. George’s displaying placards and Mental Health Day T-shirts. The theme for World Mental Health Day 2008, is “Making Mental Health a Global Priority - Scaling up Services through Citizens Advocacy and Action”. The theme addresses the continuing need to “make mental health a global priority”, and to stress the that mental health is an international concern. World Mental Health Day is organized annually by the World Federation for Mental Health since 1992, and is the only global awareness campaign focusing on mental health and mental disorders. The World Federation for Mental Health celebrated its 60th anniversary since its founding in August 12th, 1948. Inside Grenada News