Cumberland Mountain Community Services Announces
“SWVA Community Connections” event series for May Mental Health Awareness Month

Exploring Local Opportunities for Promoting Mental Wellness

 

CEDAR BLUFF, VA: Beginning in 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed across the US to promote wellness, educate communities, reduce stigma, and bring attention to the millions of people affected by mental illness. In observance of Mental Health Awareness Month, Cumberland Mountain Community Services and its community partners in Buchanan, Russell, and Tazewell Counties are excited to announce “SWVA Community Connections,” a series of events throughout the month of May to identify and explore local opportunities for promoting mental wellness through:

  • Social Connection
  • Outdoor Natural Recreation
  • Nutrition & Healthy Living

All events are completely free and open to everyone. At each event, a prevention staff member will be available to connect participants to mental health resources and offer information on services provided by Cumberland Mountain Community Services.

Social Connection Events:

  • Sound of Mind: Music by Cody Kennedy, May 17, 7:30-9 pm, Junie B’s at the Old Mill, 44 N Mill Ave, Lebanon, VA
  • Fishing for Good Mental Health in Grundy, May 18, 10 am - 3 pm, Grundy Town Center, 1179 Riverview St, Grundy, VA
  • Chill & Chat Popsicle Socials:
    • May 29, 3:30-5:30 pm, Tazewell Square Apartments, 504 Dogwood Rd, Tazewell, VA
    • May 30, 3:30-5:30 pm, Fox Meadows Apartments, 35 Fox Meadow Dr, Lebanon, VA

Outdoor Natural Recreation Events:

  • Gardening with Native Plants Talk with Wise Co. Extension Agent Phil Meeks & RCPL, May 2, 6-7 pm- Russell County Public Library, 248 W Main St, Lebanon, VA
  • Wildlife & Wildflower Walk at Critterville with TCPL, May 13, 4-5 pm, Critterville Park, 126 Rec Park Dr, Richlands, VA
  • Picnic, Kayaking, & Hiking at Cavitt's Creek Park, May 19, 1-6 pm, Cavitt's Creek Park, 750 Recreation Dr, North Tazewell, VA 24630
  • Poplar Gap Guided Forest Therapy with Tina Hayes, May 22, 5-7 pm, Shelter 2, Poplar Gap Park, 6393 Poplar Creek Rd, Grundy, VA

Nutrition & Healthy Living:

  • Food Demonstration & Nutrition Talk with VDH's LeeAnn Brooks, May 8, 5:30-6:30 pm, SWCC King Community Center, 295 Community College Road. Cedar Bluff, VA

The full schedule of events, additional information about Mental Health Awareness Month, and resources can be found at www.CMCSB.com/MHAM. Contact prevention@cmcsb.com with any questions.

Other Community Events in May that Support Mental Health

“SWVA Connections” will also highlight events already organized by a few local organizations in the Cumberland Plateau region that can help strengthen mental health and overall wellness. We encourage Buchanan, Russell & Tazewell County residents to attend these events, support the community organizations, and explore other opportunities for wellness in the month of May:

Lebanon Farmers Market

  • Opening Day, May 1, 9 am to 1 pm, 137 Highland Dr, Lebanon, VA

Tazewell Farmers Market

  • Opening Day, May 4, 9 am to 1 pm, 2330 Fincastle Turnpike, Tazewell, VA

Virginia Cooperative Extension

  • Strawberry Freezer Jam Day Camp for youth 5-18, May 14, 5:30 pm, Russell Co. Extension Office, 143 Highland Dr, Lebanon, VA, $10 cost, register by calling 276-889-8056 or email amm@vt.edu
  • 4-H Garden Day Camp for youth ages 5-18, May 16, 4:30, Russell Co. Extension Office, 143 Highland Dr, Lebanon, VA, $10 cost, register by calling 276-889-8056 or email amm@vt.edu
  • Strawberry Jam Spring Canning Workshop (all ages),
    • May 13, 5:30 pm, Tazewell Co. Extesion Office, 2860 Riverside Drive North Tazewell, VA
    • May 20, 5:30 pm, Russell Co. Extension Office, 143 Highland Dr, Lebanon, VA
    • Both workshops have $15 cost, register at https://tinyurl.com/springcanning24. or by calling 276-889-8056 (Russell) or 276-988-0405 (Tazewell)

Find more events at https://russell.ext.vt.edu. and https://tazewell.ext.vt.edu.

Russell County Public Library

  • Coloring Therapy, May 9, 10:00 am - 11:30 am, Russell County Public Library, 248 W Main St, Lebanon, VA
    • ALL ages welcome! Join us for a relaxing and FUN pastime. We'll provide coloring sheets, pencils, and crayons. New coloring sheets for all ability levels are provided each month, or you can bring your own.
    • Find more events at https://russell.lib.va.us/calendar.

Tazewell County Public Library

  • Down on the Farm, May 11, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm, Nuckolls Hall, Tazewell County Fair Grounds, 515 Fairground Rd, Tazewell, VA
    • Free farm event sponsored by Tazewell County Public Library, Tazewell County Farm Bureau Women's Committee, and Tazewell County Farm Bureau Federation. There will be games, animals, trucks and tractors, free books, and a free meal sponsored by Tazewell County Farm Bureau Federation as a Tazewell County Farm Bureau Member Appreciation Day. Come join us for a fun day for the kids!
    • Find more events at https://tcplweb.org/event.

Buchanan County Public Library

  • Read IT. Eat IT. Plant IT Sale, May 3, 9:00am - 1:00pm, Buchanan County Public Library, 1185 Poe Town St, Grundy VA
    • Join BCPL for their annual sale featuring used books, baked goods, flowers, and vegetable plants.
    • Find more events at https://tcplweb.org/event.
  • Free Comic Book Day and Star Wars Day, May 4, 8:30 am - 5 pm, Buchanan County Public Library, 1185 Poe Town St, Grundy VA
    • Comic Book Club will meet May 4, 11:00am - 12:00pm
    • Star Wars Movie will be shown in Conference Room, May 4, 2:00pm - 4:00 pm
  • Book & Film Club, May 16, 6:30pm - 7:30pm, Buchanan County Public Library, 1185 Poe Town St, Grundy VA
    • The Book and Film Club will be discussing The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown.
  • Find more events at https://bcplnet.org/calendar.

Buchanan County YMCA

  • Mother's Day Tea Party, May 11, 11 am – 1 pm, Buchanan County YMCA, 1059 Golden Wave Dr, Grundy, VA, All ages welcome, Cost- Members $15, Non-members $25, Register by calling (276) 935-8871
  • Find more events at https://www.buchanancountyymca.org.

 

For questions, contact:

Prevention Services
Cumberland Mountain Community Services
Tel: (276) 964-6702
Email: prevention@cmcsb.com

 

 

Mental Health Awareness Month

 

Gardening With Native Plants     Food Demo and Nutrition Talk     Wildlife and Wildflower Walk

 

Sound of Mind Fishinmgm for Good Mental Health Picnic in the Park Forest Therapy Walk Chill and Chat Popsicle Socials

 

 

 

 

Sponsored by CMCSB Prevention