May is Mental Health Month – 2024 Events & Info

 

Mental Health Month Activities/Virtual Events:

NAMI Walks: Join us at these community walks to support mental health!

• • • May 18: 10am at Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park: 312 Laurel Street, Columbia, SC 29201
    • Click here for more details: NAMIWalks Mid-Carolina, Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park - Columbia, SC

• • • May 18: 10am at Furman University Amphitheater 3300 Poinsett Hwy, Greenville, SC 29613
    • Click here for more details: NAMIWalks Upstate South Carolina, Furman University Amphitheater - Greenville, SC
    • Mark your calendars October 5 for two more NAMI Walks in SC – click here for more details: NAMIWalks Charleston Area, Palmetto Islands County Park - Mt. Pleasant, SC and NAMIWalks Piedmont Tri-County, Cherry Park & Lindsay Pettus Greenway - Rock Hill & Lancaster, SC!

“Meet SCDMH” – May 15 from 11am-1pm at 2414 Bull Street, Columbia SC. The SCDMH RVs from our Centers will gather at the Central Administration Building in Columbia on May 15 for a day of education and resources for the public. Please join us to learn more about our services.

Aiken-Barnwell Mental Health Center (ABMHC):

• • • 5/2, 5/16, 5/21 and 5/30: the RV will be parked at local businesses with free promotional item giveaways. ABMHC is working with Walmart in Aiken, NAUG in Barnwell, and KJ’s grocery store in Clearwater SC.
    • ABMHC will be giving their MH Month flyer to churches and pizza companies. Several local pizza companies agreed to put the flyer on their pizza boxes for deliveries.
    • Several coffee shops provided coffee sleeves for CAF patients to decorate. You can decorate your own to show your support for mental health!
    • 5/3: Tentative tour and presentation at Midland Valley High school - the School District is inviting Rep. Oremus, Sen. Young, and Sen. Massey to tour the school and learn about school mental health and ABMHC’s partnership with Aiken County School District.
    • 5/18: 9am-12pm MH Awareness Walk in Aiken with Rural Health Services: 1000 Clyburn Place, Aiken, SC 29801. Resource table, local vendors, giveaways, and more.
    • 5/25: ABMHC staff will be in the Memorial Day Parade in Aiken. We hope to see you there!
    • ABMHC will be lighting up their building lobbies in green in May.

AOP Community Mental Health Center (AOP CMHC):

• • • May 15th from 9am-1pm: Resource Roundabout at Anderson County Main Library: 300 N McDuffie Street, Anderson SC. AOP MHC in partnership with the United Way of Anderson is sponsoring the event, which will offer information on how to access services to community agencies.
    • For the month of May, each AOP clinic will distribute swag bags to patients as they come in for services. Swag will include promotional DMH branded items such as key chains, stress balls, magnets, etc.

Beckman Center for Mental Health Services (BCMHS):

• • • Beckman will be going Green in May at each of their clinic locations.
      • Edgefield will be doing Wellness Wednesday Tips & Treats each Wednesday in May. There will be an outreach scheduled for Saturday, April 20th and Saturday, May 18th. (Mental Health Awareness Flyer and 31 Day Mental Wellness Challenge)
      • Newberry is going into the community in its Highway to Hope RV. They will be visiting community partners, schools, other supportive agencies throughout the county, spreading information and reducing stigma. The Newberry clinic will have an affirmation box for patients and small treats each week in May. They will highlight coping skills for patients throughout the month.
      • Administration has outreach events scheduled at the following locations:
        • 05/05 Morris Baptist Church
        • 5/14 Greenwood Divine 9 Event (Morris Chapel)
        • 5/23 McCormick High School, Seniors Community Resource Event 11am to 3pm
        • 5/31 Saluda Learning Cener Family Fun Day 10am to 2pm
      • Greenwood will be “Poppin’ for Awareness” with popsicles and popcorn.
        • They will also “Stick it to Stigma” where patients will be able to participate. More information coming soon.
        • They will be handing out positive statement cards.
        • They will be giving out mints with a card to patients that says “you are mint to be here.”
      • Laurens We will split into teams to host a themed table for Mental Health Awareness Month in each of the lobbies. They will supply patients with giveaways, information, and prizes for participation throughout the week.
        • They will be presenting at the LCPC meeting on May 15th.
        • They will supply visitors and patients with information, giveaways, and recovery supplies throughout the month.
        • On May 7th, Savanah and Shannon Aiken will present to PRISMA Laurens hospital staff on mobile crisis and SCDMH services.
        • IPS providers will collaborate with employers, schools, colleges, and patients for Mental Health Awareness month.

Charleston Dorchester Mental Health Center (CDMHC):

• • • CDMHC will be lighting its buildings green in support of mental health and we hope to celebrate all month long. Check out our full May calendar for ways you can help celebrate mental health month!
    • May 18: 10am-2pm Charleston County Health Fair at 2429 Midland Park Road North Charleston, SC.
    • May 18: 10am – 12pm Mental Health Awareness Event at 1455 Monitor St. North Charleston, SC 29405 (Danny Jones Community Center).

Coastal Empire Community Mental Health Center (CECMHC):

• • • Beaufort Clinic: Promoting Mental Health Awareness through CECMHC Staff and community partners displaying Green Awareness Ribbon Car magnets during the month of May.
    • Colleton County Clinic:
      • Ribbon Event: Display of Mental Health Awareness Ribbon on Main Street of Walterboro, SC with brief recognition ceremony on 05-01-2024 from 11:00-noon.
    • Jasper County Clinic:
      • Mental Health Awareness Open House “Live-Laugh-Release” on 05-17-2024 from 4:30 p.m. -6:30 p.m. Mental health presentation, presentations from community partners including Vocational Rehabilitation, New Life Alcohol and Drug, and more.

Lexington County Community Mental Health Center (LCCMHC)

• • • SCDMH mental health awareness month May 15th 11am-1pm in Columbia.
    • NAMI Walk is May 18th at Riverfront Park in Columbia. Registration starts at 9am and the walk is at 10am. Staff will have a table set up and a team walking.
    • Light it up green – the main clinic will be lit with green lighting. Lobbies will be decorated to promote awareness.
    • Distributing mental health awareness lanterns with a green light to local partners.
    • Sending stickers to one local coffee shop to put on all cups going out. Book marks delivered to all libraries in Lexington County.

Pee Dee Mental Health Center

• • • May 16: Brighter Days Conference at Florence Center in Florence, SC.
    • May 23: “Spring into Health” Walk 10am at 125 East Cheves St., Florence SC 29506. Free event with food and vendors. More info, call 843-317-4073.

Santee-Wateree Community Mental Health Center:

• • • Clarendon County: Mental Health Awareness Day May 14 from 2pm-4pm at First Baptist Church Gym, 49 W. Boyce St. Manning, SC 29102. Food, vendors, raffles, games, clothing & food drive.
    • Kershaw County: May Fest May 17 from 1pm-3ppm at Old Armory Gym, 1034 W. Dekalb St. Camden, SC. Free screenings, giveaways, food, community resources & more.
    • Lee County: May 3 from 11am-2pm at Bishopville High School Memorial Gym, 121 East College St. Bishopville, SC 29010. Mental Health Awareness with vendors, partnering agencies, free giveaways, free food, & entertainment. Questions? Call 803-484-9414.
    • Sumter County: Mental Health Day May 8 from 11am-2pm at 801 N. Pike West, Sumter SC 29153. Free Community event with education, community partners, food, vendors, free raffles, free clothing & food giveaways, music, and more.
    • Join us May 1st and May 18th for these two FREE events with our Roads of Independence staff. Click here (May 1 and May 18) for more details.

Spartanburg Area Mental Health Center (SAMHC)

• • • May 18: Mental Health Awareness Fair 10am-12pm at 250 Dewey Ave. Spartanburg, SC. Walk with the mayor at 9am. Join us for games, community resources, and more. Click here for details.
    • The Center will have Spirit Week the week of May 20th with the following themes:
      • Monday: Western Day--Giddy Up for Mental Health
      • Tuesday: Wacky Tack Tuesday--Normal is Overrated
      • Wednesday: Camo Day--Don’t be afraid to stand out
      • Thursday: Hero Day and Health Fair—Heros of Union County
      • Friday: Mental Health T-Shirt Day
    • Union is scheduling a health fair May 23 from 9am-12pm.
    • May 25: Community Wellness Event 10am-2pm at 133 Wilmac Rd. Gaffney, SC 29341. Cherokee welcomes the community at their new location! Join us for food trucks, free health screenings, a bounce house, and more! Click here for details.

Tri-County Community Mental Health Center (TCCMHC):

• • • 5/1/24: Center Director, Teresa Meakins-Linn, and Marlboro Clinic Director, Amy Kulo, will be guests on local radio, FM 93.9, talking about MH awareness and resources. Tune in!
    • Starting on 5/1, the fountain in Cheraw (across from the town hall) will be “going green for MH.”
    • Starting on 5/1, Tri-County will have banners displayed at all 3 clinics, promoting MH Awareness Month. Additionally, entrance signs at the 3 clinics will be illuminated by green spotlights.
    • Each clinic will provide giveaways and treats for patients one day each during May.
    • Brochures and other informational materials will be displayed at libraries in each of the 3 counties (Dillon, Chesterfield, Marlboro).
    • Article written by Teresa Meakins-Linn, “Mental Health Matters-Make Yours a Priority,” will be published in 3 county newspapers.

Waccamaw Center for Mental Health:

• • • May 8 from 9am – 2pm: Mind and Body Health and Wellness Fair – breakfast will be served from 8:30am-9am. Deadline to RSVP is April 19. Location: Howard Center 1610 Hawkins St., Georgetown, SC 29440.
    • Join us May 9th and May 14th for these two FREE events with our Waccamaw staff. Click here (May 9 and May 14) for more details.