Dartmouth emphasizes the importance of mental health at Feel Good Fair

The towns of Dartmouth and Westport hosted the first ever Feel Good Fair on Saturday, June 6 at the UMass Dartmouth campus. 

“These are the types of events we want to have in the community,” said Town Administrator Cody Haddad, “Really promote mental health and mental health awareness and positive things for our community to take advantage of.”

The fair was funded through the Opioid Settlement Fund, which the Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell secured from large pharmaceutical companies. The Town of Dartmouth will collect over a million dollars in the next 15 years from this fund. 

The purpose of the fair was to both give residents a place to relax and focus on some self care, but also to raise awareness of some of the resources Dartmouth has to offer. 

“I think really to promote taking care of yourself not just at a physical level but at a psychological level and well, and do things to foster that,” said Haddad. 

The event was planned by the Substance Use Program Coordinator Rachel Dzialo and the Planning Committee. 

“I just want to highlight the reason for today’s event,” said Dzialo, “May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and June, we are now entering into Men’s Mental Health Month. So we figured this would be a great opportunity to get our communities connected to different resources.”

Some of the organizations present were Dartmouth Advocates for Addiction, Recovery and Treatment, the Tyler Joseph Leonard Memorial Foundation, Westport Health Department, High Point and Sunflowers for Sally. 

Tara Pacheco from High Point spoke at the fair. She opened up that she is one of the one in five adults living with a mental health disorder. She explained there is a difference between mental health, mental wellness and mental illness. Everyone has mental health and should be practicing mental wellness. 

Pacheco emphasized the importance of breaking the stigma surrounding mental health, so those with mental illness can talk openly and find help. 

“When we create communities where people feel safe to speak, supported, when they struggle and are valued for who they are, we make it easier for people to seek help, find hope and begin healing,” said Pacheco. 

Hannah Walsh, the founder of Sunflowers for Sally, told her story. When she was six, her mother died from suicide. She joined a grief group in elementary school, but once she got to middle school the only resource was a guidance counselor. 

She isolated herself, and became angry. She was seen as just a teenager making bad decisions rather than a child dealing with grief. She started the organization to give children dealing with grief a place to find help and community. Her mothers favorite flower was sunflowers. 

“We can’t bring back what’s been lost, but we can build classrooms and communities where loss isn’t hidden,” said Walsh. 

The Sunflowers for Sally booth had coloring pages with mental health images. The event also had free yoga from Sangha Yoga, which can benefit both physical and mental health. 

There were other ways for guests to focus on their own mental wellness. Studies show that play therapy can help children’s socio-emotional skills, so there were yard games and frisbees. Studies also show that petting animals can help reduce psychiatric symptoms, improve cognitive function and improve quality of life.  

There was a free petting zoo to give guests an opportunity to pet animals such as goats, lambs, guinea pigs, bunnies, chickens and ducks.

Benjamin Cetola, age 6, and his brother Joseph Cetola, age 5 both agreed the petting zoo was their favorite part. Both agreed the guinea pigs were their favorite. 

“I hope this event reaffirms the shared commitment between Dartmouth and Westport for supporting our residents and showing that you’re not alone,” said Dzialo, “There are people, there are resources here to help you. If you need it, please reach out.”