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Mental Health Awareness Month Celebration
The Nutley Family Service Bureau (NFSB) Community Advisory Board invites you to our second annual Mental Health Awareness Month Celebration! This free community event is being held Monday, May 12 from 5 pm to 8 pm at 169 Chestnut Street between NFSB and the Nutley Masonic Lodge. Rain date is May 13.
“The inaugural event was the first event organized by the Community Advisory Board,” said Joan Roake, NFSB Food Pantry Manager Joan Roake, who is coordinating all Community Advisory Board activities. “This is such a fun event with a powerful message. We hope to build on last year’s success as we bring the community together to share important information about mental health.”
Mental Health Awareness Month was first recognized in 1949 by Mental Health America, then known as the National Association for Mental Health. The purpose of the event is to increase awareness of mental health, increase access to helpful resources, and overcome negative attitudes, stereotypes, and even discrimination against people struggling with mental health challenges.
Mental Health America’s theme for 2025 is “turn awareness into action” – moving beyond recognition of mental health and taking steps towards positive change in every community.
Those who attend NFSB’s Mental Health Awareness Month Celebration will be treated to:
- Live music with Ultimate Entertainment
- Wellness activities with CORE Physical Therapy
- Chair massages
- Yoga and fitness classes
- Crafts and activities for kids
- Therapeutic painting
- Food trucks
We also encourage you to visit tables with information from the NFSB Mental Health Program and Thrift Shop and the Nutley Health Department
Everyone is welcome to join us at this free community event. Mental health does not start or stop at any age, and every culture and gender group is affected. In fact, the National Institute of Mental Health found that 23.1 percent of the U.S. adult population live with a mental illness. The prevalence of mental illness is highest in young adults ages 18-25 (36.1 percent).
“Most people could benefit from mental health counseling at some point in their lives,” Joan said. “Counseling helps you maintain your mental health, not just solve problems. Sitting down with a professional, sharing feelings, and feeling heard can benefit anyone. We encourage people from all walks of life to learn how to recognize the signs of mental illness and support those who need help.”
Please join us at NFSB’s second annual Mental Health Awareness Month Celebration on Monday, May 12 from 5 pm to 8 pm at 169 Chestnut Street between NFSB and the Nutley Masonic Lodge. Follow NFSB social media pages for more information and updates about this fun community event!
