On Saturday, October 20, 2018 from 10 AM to 12 PM, the Newport County YMCA along with Newport Mental Health, will invite mental health wellness vendors to the Y’s Fall Family Festival. The event will be held at the Y located at 792 Valley Road, Middletown RI 02842. This FREE annual event open to the community, has always been about family fun but this year there will be a focus on helping our neighbors collect mental health tools for their toolboxes.

#IAMWHOLE is a campaign to encourage all people to challenge harmful language and the negative stigma surrounding mental health and encourage others to speak out and seek help. Mental health difficulties are costing young people their education, their employment prospects and without support, are costing them their lives. Mental health difficulties among children and young people are common and can be both persistent and damaging.

The #IAMWHOLE movement first started with YMCAs in the United Kingston and the Newport County YMCA hopes the message will help our neighbors of Aquidneck Island. “We stand together, united as a movement, against negative stereotypes and language surrounding mental health by challenging others and themselves about the words they use and learn more about the impact these stereotypes and insults can have. We look forward to sharing the #IAMWHOLE message at our Fall Festival and Wellness Fair on Saturday, October 20^th,” Mike Miller, CEO, Newport County YMCA.

Along with the mental health wellness vendors at this rain or shine event, there will be plenty of FREE family fun! The Y will have Arts & Crafts, a Bounce House, Games, Rock Climbing, Activities and so much more!

For Questions about the Family Festival, please contact treehouse@newportymca.org or call 401-847-9200 ext. 118. If you are a mental health wellness vendor interested in attending, please contact soxx@newportmh.org or call 401-846-1213 ext. 109.