The fourth annual Selma–Dallas County Mental Health Awareness Day was held on May 16 at the George P. Evans Reception Hall featuring community leaders, healthcare advocates, organizations, vendors, first responders and citizens for a day focused on education, awareness, and the importance of mental wellness.
The mayor and City Council declared May 16 Selma-Dallas Mental Wellness Day and recognized Pastor Harry Allen Jr. of The Way MBC and the planning team.
The awareness event served as a reminder that mental health is a community concern that affects families, workplaces, schools, churches and aspects of daily life. Through information sharing, fellowship and community engagement, participants had an opportunity to gain experience with available resources while helping to remove the stigma often associated with mental health challenges.
The event drew many notable community and state leaders, including Mayor Johnny Moss III, City Council President Kennard Randolph, Alabama Sen. Robert Stewart, Judge Perkins Walker, Johnny Hollingsworth, Director of Alabama NAMI CIT, Director Beverly Johnson from the Office of Child and Family Services at Alabama Department of Mental Health, Veronica Mixon, UAB PhD candidate and Cindy Duck, who provided spiritual pointers on meditation.
The event was moderated by Pastor John Grayson of the Tabernacle Church of God in Christ. Their presence demonstrated a united commitment toward improving mental health awareness and access to support services throughout the Selma and Dallas County community.
Mental wellness remains an important and complex issue that transcends age, race, socioeconomic status, and background, the event showed. Events such as Mental Health Awareness Day provide an opportunity to foster open dialogue, increase understanding and remind individuals that seeking help is a sign of strength rather than weakness.
Organizers said there will be future events centered around mental health coming up.
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