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

Wednesday, May 7th, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Dr. Hardy will be building on his primer course to expand on what it means to be racially aware and sensitive in a rapidly changing landscape. FREE registration here

This group will explore our mutual love of music and how it affects our mood. We will play songs and discuss why they are meaningful and how they can assist with our recovery.

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

Join The Women’s Initiative every other Monday for a five-class series to explore writing to cultivate personal growth and healing. We will read poems, essays, and book excerpts that show the transformative power of personal narrative and explore how the writing process can serve as a healing tool for adversity and painful experiences. Participants will receive support to work on their healing narratives. Women with any level of writing experience (or none at all!) are welcome to join. Light refreshments will be provided. Led by Erin James, MFA. Click here to register.

Join instructor Stevie Loebs for a free peaceful seated meditation session at Nealand Farm. This is a free event held as a part of a series of 3. Dates include April 20, April 27, and May 4.

Come join in on this free, family friendly event complete with face painting, bounce houses, music, and more! Kidchella is open to everyone and we can’t wait to see you there!

Location: ReadyKids at 1000 E. High Street; Charlottesville, VA 22902

Please contact Shaniece Bradford with any questions: sbradford@readykidscville.org

Hike for Hope provides an opportunity to enjoy our natural surroundings and acknowledge the ways in which suicide and mental health conditions have affected our lives and the lives of those we care about.  We hope you will join us in the beautiful setting of the Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail, East Trailhead for this hope-filled event. Register here.

Contact: 

Markita Madden (she/her/hers)
540-718-2221, mmadden@afsp.org

Join FEAP, the Contemplative Science Center, Hoos Well, Wisdom and Well-Being, Black Faculty and Staff Employee Resource Group, and the Center for Faculty Wellbeing and Development for the second annual Well-Being Walk—a 1-mile reflective journey focused on community, connection, and mental health awareness.

This event invites UVA employees, faculty, staff, students, and community members to engage in meaningful conversations or enjoy quiet reflection in a peaceful setting. Whether you walk in silence or speak with others, this is a space for renewal, support, and hope.

Together, let’s take steps—literally and figuratively—toward reducing stigma and fostering a culture that prioritizes well-being.

Let’s step forward together. Get your free ticket here.

Location: Contemplative Commons; 403 Emmet Street South Charlottesville, VA 22903

The Self-Advocacy Support Group empowers individuals to understand and articulate their needs, rights, and goals in various aspects of life, from personal to professional settings. Objectives; Educate participants on the principles of self-advocacy, Develop skills for effective communication and assertiveness, Share strategies for navigating challenges and overcoming obstacles, Foster confidence in making informed decisions and standing up for oneself, Create a supportive community for sharing experiences and resources.

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

Shot and edited over 14 months, Fentanyl High digs behind the social media facades to reveal what high school teens honestly think deep down about the fentanyl epidemic, how teens today are dealing with their emotional pain in school and at home, why they are self-medicating and what can be done to prevent these tragedies, as well the first-hand experiences of paramedics, government officials, doctors, and parents whose teens have died from fentanyl poisoning.

Stop by the resource table after the screening to pick up Narcan and Fentanyl Testing Strips.

Get your free ticket here!

A special thanks to our sponsor Light House Studio, check out their website: https://lighthousestudio.org/.

The Coalition’s Anti-racism, Racial Awareness, and Intersectionality through Sensitivity and Equity (ARISE) Committee works to address interpersonal, institutional, and systemic racism in the behavioral health system.

ARISE promotes cross-racial conversations and offers training and tools to help local behavioral health staff and organizations integrate anti-racist values and practices into their work. Over 300 area providers have participated in ARISE-sponsored training since the committee’s founding in 2019!

Committee Chairs:

Gene Cash, Counseling Alliance of Virginia

Elizabeth Irvin, The Women’s Initiative