WAKE FOREST, NC – The Town of Wake Forest and several community partners will host the Fourth Annual Wake Forest Mental Wellness Fair on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 1-4 p.m., at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St.
Led by Commissioner Nick Sliwinski, the Mental Wellness Fair aims to raise awareness about mental wellness and provide information on community programs, services, and resources available to loved ones navigating mental health challenges. Offering activities for children and teens, the event will also provide information for families, seniors, and veterans.
While the theme of last year’s event focused on the pressures of athletics, this year’s event will focus on youth mental health. The Wake County Youth Health Council will participate in the main panel discussion entitled "Plugged In: Conversation about Kids, Technology & Mental Health" from 3-4 p.m. and one of two interactive breakout sessions. Scheduled from 1:45-2:30 p.m., the breakout sessions will feature a teen-led session about "Social Media Burnout," while the other will explore a new initiative called "Well Check Wednesday" - a free weekly movement that encourages people to pause mid-week, check in on their own mental and physical health, and reach out to support someone else.
More than 30 vendor advocates will be onsite sharing resources related to mental health, health care, social services, and more. Topics will include depression, suicide, holiday grief, veterans’ services, and general wellness.
As a bonus, the Town of Wake Forest will offer free refreshments and snacks while supplies last, WakeMed will provide free blood pressure screenings, and the NC State Cooperative Extension’s Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) will lead a healthy cooking demo featuring produce from the Ripe for Revival Mobile Market in the Renaissance Centre parking lot. The Wake Forest Police Department will also display two community resource vehicles - the Opioid/Drug Use unit and the Mental Wellness unit - and Crisis Intervention Officers will be onsite.
Saturday’s Mental Wellness Fair is free and open to all – whether you need help or want to know how to support those who do. Preregistration is encouraged - but not required - by completing the online signup form at https://bit.ly/2026WFMentalWellnessFairRegistration.
For more information, email Community Outreach Manager Andrew Brown, Jr. at abrown@wakeforestnc.gov.