Mental Health Fair
2ND ANNUAL FREE COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH FAIR
May 16, 2026 – Drop In from 9am-12pm
Held at Matthews United Methodist Church in the Large Parking Lot (801 South Trade St. Matthews, NC 28105). Rain location inside the church in The Commons.
Come learn, connect and access free resources for yourself, your family and our community. We are proud to offer practical tools alongside education and connection, because caring for mental health means supporting the whole community’s wellbeing and safety.
You’re invited to three inspiring hours filled with:
✨ FREE Interactive Workshops
✨ On-Site Mental Health Professionals
✨ Mental Health Screenings for Children & Adults
✨ Valuable Community Resources
✨ Free Gun Locks & Narcan
✨ Food Vendors & Great Connections
Workshops for Adults:
- 9:00-10:30am: Alicia McArthur, MA, LCMHC of Seeds Counseling & Collaboration will present “Cultivating Hope: Seed Starting for a Salsa Garden.”
Come connect with others around the benefits of growing your own food, learn about seed starting & plant care and work together on a common goal. Discuss the mental health benefits of gardening, including exploring topics like hope, resiliency and the benefits of sunlight. Choose a type of tomato seed and pepper, plant seeds in a tray to take home, discuss appropriate care and preparing them for transplanting. There will be an opportunity to engage in mindfulness practices as well as discussion with other participants throughout the workshop. Choose between options for plants suitable for container gardening or in-ground gardening. No fee, but participation is limited to 20 on a first-come basis. - 11:00am: Soul Collage: SoulCollage ® is a creative and intuitive collage process that allows one to explore their life and inner knowing and wisdom. It is a creative and artistic process that anyone can do. No artistic talent required. Workshop led by Margaret Wyche, MA, LCMHC, LCAS, CCS
Opportunities for Children & Families:
- 9:00am-12:00pm: Interactive drop-in space that focuses on simple emotional regulation skills for children & families.
Narcan & Gun Locks:
- Narcan and gun locks will be available while supplies last. In the United States, over half of suicide deaths involve a firearm and tens of thousands of overdose deaths each year involve opioids. Narcan, a fast-acting, non-prescription nasal spray, can help reverse an opioid overdose, and gun locks add an important layer of protection during times of crisis, emotional distress, or when children are in the home.
Vendors:
- We are currently welcoming vendors who are passionate about supporting mental wellness and serving our community. We would also like to know if you have any interest in providing food, donations, or workshops for this event. Let’s come together to break stigma, share resources, and strengthen mental wellness in our community.
- To become a vendor, please fill out this form. We hope that you can share with your networks so we can ensure that we spread awareness on mental health!
Event hosted by Matthews UMC Mental Health Ministry in Partnership with BlueCross BlueShield NC Healthy Blue
