Since 1949, the month of May has been observed as “Mental Health Awareness Month,” increasing awareness, celebrating recovery, and spreading the word that mental health is something everyone should care about! Maintaining positive mental health allows you to feel, think, and act in ways that help you to navigate life’s challenges.
On Saturday, May 10, 2025, Lebanon County, in partnership with the Community Health Council and Community Services Group (CSG), will be hosting the third annual Mental Health Awareness Festival! The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of the CSG Psychiatric Rehabilitation program, located at 718 Poplar Street in Lebanon (near the 8th St. Rail-Trail).
“We’re thrilled at the growth of the event this year, with over 50 local vendors confirmed. Each year we have expanded our reach and now have agencies contacting us and asking if they can be a part of the event,” said Skyler Deitrick, Program Director of CSG’s Lebanon Psychiatric Rehabilitation program. “Our hope with having such a variety of mental health and wellness-related vendors is that the community can help us normalize mental health, and gain knowledge on the resources that are available throughout the county. The committee’s hard work has resulted in a fantastic lineup of vendors, as well as some fun activities including baby goat cuddles, inflatable axe throwing, and the return of the popular Snow Cone Wheel. We want to continue to create a space where stigma is reduced, well-being is valued, and awareness is raised. Everyone who attends, whether for themselves or to support others, plays a crucial role in creating a more compassionate and informed community.”
The event is free to attend, and the first 100 attendees will receive a free tote bag, hot dog, drink and bag of chips.
“I am so grateful for the organizers of the Mental Health Awareness Festival. Each year that this event grows, we are sending the message to our community that ‘We support you, and we are listening’. I’m excited about the many new elements of this year’s festival and I look forward to celebrating the many hard-working providers in our community” said Nikki Mauer Gray, Executive Director of the Community Health Council.
A committee made up of volunteers from Lebanon County MH/ID/EI, CSG, WellSpan, and Connected Together have worked tirelessly to make this a successful, annual event. For months they have spent time gathering feedback, reaching out to potential vendors, securing sponsorships, and creating promotional materials. A special thank you and recognition goes out to WellSpan, Highmark Wholecare, CSG, Perform Care, Lancaster Behavioral Health, Tower Behavioral Health, Excentia, and Move Forward Counseling for sponsoring this year’s event!
