Fri | Sep 26, 2025

Earth Today | Forestry Department hosts first-ever Wellness Fair

Published:Thursday | September 25, 2025 | 12:10 AM
Michael Moore from Jamaica Moves engages Forestry Department staff and exhibitors in an aerobic session at the agency’s first-ever Health and Wellness Fair at the Constant Spring premises on September 12.
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Michael Moore from Jamaica Moves engages Forestry Department staff and exhibitors in an aerobic session at the agency’s first-ever Health and Wellness Fair at the Constant Spring premises on September 12.

THE FORESTRY Department recently made wellness its focus, with the hosting of its first-ever Wellness Fair, which exposed staff to a range of health and other services.

“The five areas of wellness that we looked at were physical wellness, environmental wellness, financial wellness, mental wellness, and social wellness because we believe in the holistic employee,” said Shanee Cameron, performance appraisal officer of the fair which was hosted on Friday, September 12 under the theme ‘Building a Wellness Culture for a Happier Forestry Department’.

Among the services that were available to staff were eye tests by Phoenix Vision, dental care by First World Dental, together with aerobics, health talks and screenings, courtesy of the Ministry of Health & Wellness’ Know Your Numbers initiative.

“Staff also benefited from one-on-one counselling sessions with a psychologist. Financial health was also a focus, with representatives from Sagicor, Portland Corporative Credit Union and Jamaica National Bank on hand to provide information,” said a release from the agency.

A farmer’s market supplied by staff, Gatha Estates, The Life Store and Shanz Streetvybz Café offered healthy foods in addition to vegetable seedlings distributed by the Jamaica 4-H Club, which also presented guidelines for growing a healthy garden.

“I recognise the fact that there are lots of people who don’t take the time to find out what their current health status is and it is essential that we do so because it is only in knowing that we can take steps to ensure that we live healthy and productive lives,” said Ainsley Henry, chief executive officer and conservator of forests of the value of the fair.

“People who are healthier are much better at their jobs ... and I know that going forward [the staff] will benefit from it,” he added.

The day was capped by the crowning of the first Mr and Miss Forestry Department, awarded to the male and female who competed to lose the most pounds. This award went to Michael Watson and Natalee Marks.

The health and wellness fair supports the Ministry of Health & Wellness’ Corporate Wellness Challenge: 8x8 Edition, which the agency joined to boost staff engagement in health and physical wellness.