Mind Body Spirit Health and Wellness Fair held in Simcoe on May 6.

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A holistic approach to health was promoted at the Mind Body Spirit Health and Wellness Fair at The Aud at the Simcoe fairgrounds on Saturday.

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Hosted by Community Addiction and Mental Health Services of Haldimand Norfolk (CAMHS), the event attracted hundreds of visitors who perused 71 booths to get information about everything from the healing power of art to retirement living.

“Knowledge about mental health, the understanding of it, leads to the ability to manage it,” said Tiberiu Czompa, clinical services manager with CAMHS.

Czompa said visitors were invited to pick up information from fair booths and talk to representatives from local agencies and businesses offering products and services that address the physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual components of health.

“When a small piece is missing or off balance, it can lead to a problem,” Czompa said. “Every case is different. It’s important for people to see the services coming together.”

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Members of Fung Loy Kok Taoist Tai Chi on Peel Street demonstrated some moves for fair visitors.

“It offers discipline, exercise, strength, flexibility and balance for all ages,” said Leslie Norton and Norma Daoust. “There is a social aspect to it. You walk in the door and forget your troubles.”

At other booths, representatives were offering information on hypnosis, burial and cremation services, diabetes, food addiction, naturopathic medicine, support for those with cancer, psychotherapy and various counselling services.

Jenna Miller and Chrissy Sadowski were talking to people about Young Caregivers Association, also known as Powerhouse, which supports children and youth aged five to 25 who are helping care for an ailing parent, sibling or grandparent.

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Young people can be called upon to provide help in the home, said Sadowski, if a family member is fighting a disease or has mental health or addiction challenges.

“There are more young people than you think doing this,” said Miller, a young caregiver and family counsellor.

The agency, which provides counselling, respite and lessons on life skills such as cooking and banking, operates in Haldimand and Norfolk, Hamilton and Niagara and recently expanded into Brant.

Czompa said it’s important people know “It’s OK not to be OK.”

He said events such as the health and wellness fair help people “move away from stigma and pre-judgment and take a step toward services related to their own journey in life.”