Join us for a free 1 hour training on how to identify opioid overdoses and respond to them with Naloxone. Register here.

Full Coalition meetings are open to anyone interested in hearing more about the Coalition’s mission and opportunities to collaborate in the promotion of our community’s mental health and wellness.

The meeting will feature a presentation on Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

For additional meeting details, consider signing up for our mailing list.

Questions? Email cmhwc@regionten.org.

Charlottesville Pride returns to the Ting Pavilion for the 2025 Pride Festival! This marquee event serves as a chance to bring together the larger LGBTQ community in Charlottesville through entertainment, local vendors, resource booths, food & drink and more. Festivities begin at 12:30PM and go until 7:30PM. 

More information will be provided by @charlottesvillepride on Instagram in the coming weeks and months. Check out their page for updates, vendor + volunteer applications and more!

The Community Mental Health and Wellness Coalition will be there, tabling with resources! We hope to see you there!

Mental Health First Aid 2.0 is a hybrid offering of the original Mental Health First Aid course that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use challenges in adolescents. Register here.

Dedicated to fostering anti-racist values in behavioral health care, the ARISE Committee promotes essential cross-racial dialogues and trainings. If you’re passionate about addressing systemic racism and improving equity within behavioral health systems, join ARISE to be part of impactful change!

Committee Chairs:

Gene Cash, Counseling Alliance of Virginia

Elizabeth Irvin, Community Member

The Opioid Stakeholder Committee (OSC) is a multidisciplinary group addressing the growing opioid and stimulant misuse crisis in our community. We recognize that substance misuse is a complex community problem that requires a coordinated community response, and must include strategies in health systems, legislation, behavioral health, education, criminal justice, and communities. The OSC uses the evidence-based Strategic Prevention Framework to carry out its work, an approach that leverages local coalitions to address prevention, treatment, and recovery needs to address substance misuse.

Committee Chairs:

Virginia Leavell, Albemarle County Human Services Alternative Response Team

Wendy Carlton, UVA Office of Pain Management & Opioid Stewardship

Join us for a free 1 hour training on how to identify opioid overdoses and respond to them with Naloxone. Register here.

The Service System Committee (SSC) is a multidisciplinary group addressing gaps in community services, as well as access to services. Collaborating on best practices for referrals, updates to openings and referral processes. Advocating for decreased barriers and increased access.

Committee Chairs:

Erin Tucker, DBHDS

Shelly Wood, The Women’s Initiative

The Public Awareness Committee (PAC) is comprised of representatives from diverse organizations that handle marketing, social media, or outreach for their respective organizations. They collaborate to partner with local organizations and community members to promote stigma reduction, help-seeking behavior, awareness of local resources, and community-initiated care. They aim to make people more aware of the resources available to them and encourage them to seek help when needed. PAC also focuses on advocacy work in the community to help the Coalition utilize collective action campaigns to respond to current community needs.

To join the public awareness committee, fill out your membership agreement form here.

Committee Chairs:

Lauren Glaze, Region Ten

Nina Burke, On Our Own

This course covers the science of resiliency and shares promising strategies to build culturally and contextually resilient individuals and communities. Register here.

Join our committee meeting on Zoom to discuss and seek to address interpersonal, institutional, and systemic racism in the behavioral health system. Learn more here.

This course covers NEAR Science (Neuroscience, Epigenetics, ACE Study, Resilience), Brain States, and ROLES strategies for individuals seeking a trauma-informed certification. Register here.

Join us for a free 1 hour training on how to identify opioid overdoses and respond to them with Naloxone. Register here.

Full Coalition meetings are open to anyone interested in hearing more about the Coalition’s mission and opportunities to collaborate in the promotion of our community’s mental health and wellness.

The meeting will feature a presentation for BIPOC mental health awareness month.

For additional meeting details, consider signing up for our mailing list.

The ARISE Committee organized a tour of the Memorial to Enslaved Laborers at the University of Virginia, guided by The Descendants of Enslaved Communities at UVA. 

The tour is scheduled for June 18th from 11am-12pm at the University of Virginia. This is a walking tour so please make sure to wear comfortable shoes. If you are able to attend, complete this form to reserve your spot.

Tour Description: Memorial to Enslaved Laborers (MEL) tours discuss the history of enslaved laborers' resistance and resilience at the University and the advocacy by community members and students to fully acknowledge and memorialize their labor. MEL tours were designed by the Descendants of Enslaved Communities (DEC-UVA).  

Explore the mindfulness and relaxing benefits of hand sewing in community with the Women’s Initiative. We invite you to explore textiles as a means of meditation, relaxation and emotional expression. Each week, our group will gather to slow down and engage in mindful hand sewing and embroidery. No prior artistic experience is necessary; we will explore new techniques together, support one another, and have fun. All materials will be provided. Participants are also welcome to bring their own projects to work on. Women and members of the gender-expansive community 18 and older are invited to attend. Led by Karina Monroy, clinical art therapy intern. Click here to register.

Treatment involves the gentle placement of up to five small, sterilized disposable needles into specific sites on each ear. The participants sit quietly in a group setting for 30-45 minutes allowing the treatment to take effect. Possible benefits: increased calmness, better sleep, and less agitation; relief from stress and emotional trauma; reduced cravings for alcohol and drugs, including nicotine; minimized withdrawal symptoms; and a discovery of inner quiet and strength.

Mental Health First Aid 2.0 is a hybrid offering of the original Mental Health First Aid course that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis.

In Mental Health First Aid 2.0, participants will need to complete a 2-hour, self-paced class online BEFORE participating in the 5 hour Instructor-led  in-person course. Details for this will provided to registrants at least one week prior to the Instructor-led class.

Adult Mental Health First Aid is designed for anyone 18 years and older who wants to learn how to help a person who may be experiencing a mental health related crisis or problem.

WHERE:  Region Ten Community Services Board, 500-A Conference Center,  500 Old Lynchburg Rd. Charlottesville, VA  22903

COST: FREE

Register HERE

We aim to bring together legislators, community leaders, and concerned citizens to engage in a productive dialogue about the pressing mental health needs and challenges facing our community. 

Register here: https://regionten.zoom.us/meeting/register/TQW4vfmLROaEgo1Glr70mA#/registration.

What to Expect:

• Engaging Panel Discussion: A moderated panel featuring legislators and community leaders will delve into pivotal mental health topics, including concerns surrounding Medicaid funding, pressing community mental health needs, and the current mental health priorities within our region.

• Interactive Community Q&A: Following the panel discussion, we will facilitate an open Q&A session, providing an opportunity for community members to directly engage with you and other panelists.

Our Objectives:

• To heighten awareness regarding the current landscape of mental health services within our community.

• To foster a productive exchange between legislators, community leaders, and residents.

• To pinpoint potential solutions and collaborative approaches to tackle mental health challenges.

• To develop strategies to collectively navigate a rapidly changing mental health landscape.

• To champion mental health awareness throughout Mental Health Awareness Month.

This group allows African American/Black people to authentically and freely “let their hair down” and talk as if one was at home with their family without judgment. Truly decenter the privileged and without the compulsion or need to take care of white or other people. Create a space to talk and process the most recent traumas. Understand racially abusive transactions (aka – micro and macro aggressions) that African American and Black people endure daily due to whiteness, white superiority, white terror, white supremacy, denial, projection, and repression.
The facilitator will create and manage a safe, comfortable, and brave space to assist with rechanneling one’s rage and anger, acknowledging and validating one’s experience with systemic and institutional racism while practicing exhaling, encouraging the need to breathe, and unlocking learned voicelessness due to 500 years of subjugation/oppression/repression/white supremacy.

SafeTALK teaches suicide alertness. Participants learn how to identify persons who may be thinking of suicide and four basic steps to begin the helping process. They also learn how to activate a suicide alert that connects the person who is thinking about suicide with resources who can complete the helping process. Trainer presentations, facilitated discussion, skills practice, and videos illustrate what happens
when signs of suicide are overlooked, and how you can contribute to safe outcomes when these signs are heard and addressed.

This safeTALK training will take place Wednesday, May 21st from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The training will be in person at Region Ten at 500 Old Lynchburg Road, Charlottesville VA 22903, in the 500-A conference center.

Register HERE

CAVA will lead group sessions for the community to encourage cross-racial conversations and dialogue about how RACE matters in a therapeutic way that fosters cross-racial relationships. Stressing the importance of being comfortable with being uncomfortable, the group will create space to practice the necessary muscles to foster deeper connections across racial lines. 

The six crucial muscles to build and engage in cross-racial relationships and conversations are:

1. Intensity

2. Intimacy

3. transparency

4. authenticity

5. congruency

6. complexity

 It understands the importance of managing one’s privileged and subjugated positions related to day-to-day racially abusive interactions (aka – Micro and Macro aggression) experienced in the community, workplace, and social situations.

We are dismantling Institutional Racism and structural Racism while Increasing the volume of the “Voiceless” (subjugated) and increasing risk-taking in our Allies (privileged).

The goal is to move from being Racially Oblivious to Racially Aware to Racially Sensitive and ultimately Racially Responsible.

We all start from somewhere in Dismantling White Supremacy/Whiteness and restoring humanity wherever and whenever possible.

Mental Health Awareness Month: Resource Fair & Open Mic

Join the Community Mental Health and Wellness Coalition for a special event during Mental Health Awareness Month! We're hosting a Resource Fair & Open Mic – a day dedicated to healing, connection, and the beautiful intersection of wellness and creativity.

Come and:

• Explore the Resource Fair: Connect with local organizations and services dedicated to mental health and overall well-being. Learn about available resources in our community.

• Experience the Open Mic: Be inspired by the creative talents of community members! Whether it's spoken word, music, comedy, or any other form of expression, the open mic provides a supportive space to share.

Date: Saturday, May 18th, 2025

Time: 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Location: Booker T. Washington Park, 1001 Preston Avenue, Charlottesville, VA

This event is a wonderful opportunity to support mental health awareness, connect with others, and enjoy the diverse talents within our community.

• Download our shareable event flyer.

• If you are interested in tabling at this event, sign up here.

• If you are interested in performing at this event, sign up here.

Details:

Meets 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Thursday of every month

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Family Support Group is a peer-led support group for any adult with a loved one who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition. Gain insight from the challenges and successes of others facing similar experiences. 

What You’ll Gain...

By sharing your experiences in a safe setting, you can gain hope and develop supportive relationships. This group allows your voice to be heard and provides an opportunity for your personal needs to be met. It encourages empathy, productive discussion and a sense of community. You'll benefit from other’s experiences, discover your inner strength and empower yourself by sharing your own experiences in a non-judgmental space.

NAMI Family Support Group will help you:

• Aim for better coping skills

• Find strength in sharing experiences

• Not judge anyone’s pain

• Forgive ourselves and reject guilt

• Embrace humor as healthy

• Accept that we cannot solve every problem

• Understand that mental health conditions are no one's fault and can be traumatic experiences

For more information, please call (434) 260-8127 or email namiblueridge@gmail.com

Open to all.

Location:
The Center

Join the Women’s Initiative for a free 30 minute craniosacral gentle touch session on Wednesdays from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm! The gentle touch of craniosacral therapy supports the body in re-patterning the nervous system beyond unresolved stress and trauma and re-discovering the body’s natural state of wellness. This therapy uses light touch on the body while clients recline on a massage table, fully clothed. Participants often experience a greater sense of self-connection, clarity, renewal, and peace following a craniosacral session. Women and members of the gender-expansive community are invited to participate. Led by Amina Stevens of Common Ground Healing Arts. Contact 434.872.0047 to register for a one-on-one session.

Full Coalition meetings are open to anyone interested in hearing more about the Coalition’s mission and opportunities to collaborate in the promotion of our community’s mental health and wellness.

Navigating Trauma, Fostering Hope: Lived Experiences in Behavioral Health Crisis Care.

The meeting will feature a panel discussion involving folks who have experience with crisis stabilization services, personally and professionally.

To see a preview of the meeting, click here.

For additional meeting details, consider signing up for our mailing list.

Start your morning with relaxation joining Blue Ridge staff for a guided meditation.

Location: Blue Ridge Center; 100 Burnet Street; Charlottesville, VA 22902

Join us at the Freedom of Speech Wall (605 E Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902) for our interactive storytelling event where we will be sharing our stories of recovery on the wall. This event is collaboratively hosted by the Community Mental Health & Wellness Coalition and On Our Own.

If you are not able to make it to the event, but would still like to contribute to the wall, please submit your ideas and stories here and we will add to the wall on your behalf!

Join us for an afternoon of family-friendly fun hosted by the Trauma Informed Community Network complete with free food, wellness activities, and more!

Location: IX Art Park
522 2nd St SE; Charlottesville, VA, 22902