Holly BaltzA butterfly release, help with schizophrenia and a digital scavenger hunt are among several Mental Health Awareness Month activities planned across the county to bring you and loved ones peace and perspective.
May is Mental Health Awareness and Trauma-Informed Care Month.
Are you affected by someone living with mental illness? It’s likely you are.
More than 100 million adults experienced a mental illness or substance use disorder in the past year, Mental Health America reported in its recently released 2025 “State of Mental Health in America,” which counted mental illness and substance use disorder separately.
One quarter of children experience a traumatic event before age 4.
One in five adults in the U.S. was living with a mental illness in 2022, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
These disorders, which affect mood, thinking and behavior, often are rooted in brain chemistry. So the illnesses, despite popular belief, can be biological. Examples include depression, anxiety and mood disorders, eating disorders and addiction.
You might feel down or anxious from time to time, but it becomes a mental illness when it continually disrupts a major life function such as work, school and the activities you love to do.
But remember that you are not alone.
There are lots of ways for people experiencing symptoms and those who care about them to get help in Palm Beach County. The fastest way to hook up with resources is to call 211 or 988. Trained operators can find you help such as free therapy, overdose prevention services and resources for families and patients battling substance use disorder.
Green was chosen in the 1990s as the color that symbolizes mental health because of its calming and relaxing effects. It led to a national campaign called “Get Your Green On!”
Stet News believes in mental health for all. Here are some activities and learning opportunities happening across the county:
Throughout the month
Digital scavenger hunt — Go on a series of missions to learn about resources in the county and trauma-informed care on the Goosechase mobile app. You can earn points by yourself or in teams.
An activities book for children — Click here.
“Music that Hugs Back” — A playlist here.
Movies to watch — Documentaries, dramas and films for children here.
Scheduled activities
“My story recovering from schizophrenia” May 12 — A NAMI virtual lecture by social worker David Wilson about his story of recovery from schizophrenia. What helps and works. Boot camp for families and clinicians to better help in directing recovery from schizophrenia. 6 pm on Zoom. Register here.
Minor league baseball game May 15 — Mental Health Awareness Night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. The Palm Beach Cardinals play the Daytona Tortugas at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $10 (plus fees of $2.35 a ticket) of which $5 goes to support NAMI Palm Beach County.
“‘Resiliency in Motion’ Cultural Corridor Ride” May 16 — A free intergenerational bike and golf cart ride through Delray Beach’s historic neighborhoods, designed as a “reflective and restorative experience to connect participants to place, people and purpose.” It starts at 8 am at Catherine Strong Park, 1500 SW Sixth St., and concludes at 11:30 am at the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum, 170 NW Fifth St., where community members are invited afterward to A Delray Beach Family Affair featuring fellowship, food from local vendors, children’s activities and music. Register here for either activity or both.
“Schizophrenia Explained: From Symptoms to Recovery” May 18 — An educational yet understandable overview including how schizophrenia is diagnosed and evidence-based treatment by Dr. Asseandra Ferrera. 6 pm on Zoom. Register here.
“Mental Health is Everyone’s Business” May 19 — Learn how to recognize and respond to people battling mental illness and/or substance use disorders. Two-hour virtual training explains what to say and how to say it, providing tools to potentially save someone’s life. Register here.
Annual butterfly release May 28 — Butterfly release 4-5 pm, celebrating the birthday of Elizabeth Faulk, founder of the Faulk Center for Family Counseling west of Boca Raton at 22455 Boca Rio Road. More information here.
Art and Wellness Fair May 30 — Relaxed morning of creativity and movement in Lake Worth Beach, 601 Lake Ave., with a beginners’ “Intro to Capoeira: Afro-Brazilian Martial Art” from 10 to 11 am or make a “What Makes Us Smile” collage from 10 am to 1:30 pm. Register here.
These are just a few ways to participate. Click here for more.
Editor’s note: Stet co-founder Joel Engelhardt is a board member at NAMI Palm Beach County. Stet invites all to sign up for NAMIWalks, the Oct. 10 fundraiser for the organization. Better yet, you can join and walk with our Stet News team.
