SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WSBT) — Family Fun Fest returned to Michiana as Mental Health Awareness month wrapped up.
The popular community event turned Howard Park into a hub for fun, connection, and mental wellness.
Breaking barriers in mental health, the event aims to encourage more conversations between parents, children, and families about mental health and wellness. All while creating a fun and welcoming experience for the community.
“So, number one, we want to talk out in the open about mental health and the importance of mental wellness,” said 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.”
Family Fun Fest, the popular community event turned Howard Park into a hub for fun, connection, and mental wellness. (WSBT photo)
The event showcased valuable resources from around 40 different organizations. They represented all aspects of mental health, care services, and community 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,” said Jan Marable, Director of Community Outreach and Education Mental Health Awareness of Michiana.
This is the 6th year of Family Fun Fest with each year growing and bringing together hundreds of people.
Family Fun Fest, the popular community event turned Howard Park into a hub for fun, connection, and mental wellness. (WSBT photo)
Take Heart Inc, is just one of the 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,” said Ellen Williams, President and CEO of Take Heart Inc.
Alongside these resources children and families are encouraged to connect with the community in unique ways, including balloon twisting, face painting, fishing, Zumba and cardio drumming.
Family Fun Fest, the popular community event turned Howard Park into a hub for fun, connection, and mental wellness. (WSBT photo)
“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,” said Kelly.
Mental Health of Michiana hopes to expand these efforts through future events, continuing to connect families with valuable resources and support.