Guilford County government has been holding mental health resource days for years but right now – with a bad economy, intense political division and rhetoric as elections approach, a war raging in the Middle East and it costing you $60 to fill up your car rather than $40 – well, let’s just say it’s a really good time to hold one now that it’s 2026.
Guilford County officials are once again stepping into that space with their annual Mental Health Resource Fair, which this year will be held on Saturday, May 2, from noon to 4 p.m. at 925 Third St. in Greensboro.
The county is partnering with Alexander Youth Network for the event, which is now in its fifth year and continues to grow as demand for mental health services remains high across the county.
According to county officials, the goal of the event is to promote mental wellness, connect residents with local support services, and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health care and substance abuse – something that local officials say is still a major barrier to people getting help.
At the fair, residents will be able to meet face-to-face with a wide range of organizations that provide mental health and recovery services in Guilford County. That includes groups like Trillium Health Resources, RHA Health Services, Therapeutic Alternatives, NAMI Guilford, Women’s Resource Center of Greensboro, Senior Resources of Guilford and Triad Mental Health Partners, among others.
The event will also highlight services offered through the Guilford County Behavioral Health Center, located at 931 Third St., which provides care for children, adolescents and adults in what the county describes as a “bright, friendly and safe environment.”
The center serves as a key access point for people needing immediate help or ongoing mental health services.
Mental health leaders are also emphasizing the importance of crisis resources, noting that residents can call 911 in a medical emergency, dial 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or contact the county directly at 336-890-2700 for assistance navigating available services.
In addition to outpatient and psychiatric care, the county is continuing to build out longer-term recovery options. That includes the Reverend Prince Edward Graves Recovery and Treatment Center in Greensboro, which focuses on expanding access to residential recovery services, as well as a Women with Children Recovery Center designed to support families seeking treatment while staying together.
As in past years, organizers are trying to make the event feel less like a clinical appointment and more like something people will attend and enjoy. The fair will include music, games and food trucks, all set up in the parking lot of the Alexander Youth Network facility, with the idea that people can show up, spend some time and connect with resources in a low-pressure setting.
Mental health officials say that approach matters because many people who need help don’t go looking for it directly. Instead, they might come to an event such as this for a different reason and leave with information that could make a real difference later.
County leaders also note that support doesn’t just come from professionals. Services like peer warmlines and recovery groups are part of the broader network, giving people a chance to talk to others who’ve been through similar experiences.
One thing county leaders can do to help keep everyone a little more mentally healthy is make sure that the coming tax increase in the coming county budget isn’t too much to handle.