Family Fun Fest returns, focuses on psychological well being consciousness

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WSBT) — Family Fun Fest returned to Michiana as Mental Health Awareness month wrapped up.

The in style neighborhood occasion turned Howard Park right into a hub for enjoyable, connection, and psychological wellness.

Breaking limitations in psychological well being, the occasion goals to encourage extra conversations between dad and mom, youngsters, and households about psychological well being and wellness. All whereas making a enjoyable and welcoming expertise for the neighborhood.

“So, number one, we want to talk out in the open about mental health and the importance of mental wellness,” mentioned Lisa Kelly, Executive Director of Mental Health Awareness in Michigan. “So, we do an event like this because we want it to be very approachable for the community.”

The occasion showcased useful sources from round 40 totally different organizations. They represented all facets of psychological well being, care companies, and neighborhood organizations.

“Oh yeah, the times that we’re living in right now, people are dealing with a lot of stress, they’re overwhelmed and so being able to say it’s okay, that I’m not okay, being able to talk to somebody, mental health awareness in Michiana, which I work for, has a lot of free resources available for adults. And then the other agencies here provide other resources and so a lot of times we don’t get help because we don’t know where help is,” mentioned Jan Marable, Director of Community Outreach and Education Mental Health Awareness of Michiana.

This is the sixth 12 months of Family Fun Fest with annually rising and bringing collectively a whole lot of individuals.

Take Heart Inc, is simply one of many many organizations encouraging these conversations.

“Our organization has been at this event before because I think that even though we’re doing better at getting rid of some of the stigma around mental health services, there still is one. And people think, well, I’m not nuts. I don’t need to go seek mental health. And no, but pretty much everybody I’ve ever known could have used some therapy, some group sessions at some point in their life because different struggles that we go through,” mentioned Ellen Williams, President and CEO of Take Heart Inc.

Alongside these sources youngsters and households are inspired to attach with the neighborhood in distinctive methods, together with balloon twisting, face portray, fishing, Zumba and cardio drumming.

“So, dancing and jump roping and all things that really are just to try and say there are things that we all can do that just help us feel better. And so that’s what we’re doing. We’re trying to say not only are the resources, but there are activities that we all can participate in that are free that, you know, really are just enjoyable for us as a community,” mentioned Kelly.

Mental Health of Michiana hopes to broaden these efforts by way of future occasions, persevering with to attach households with useful sources and help.