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Tuesday, 22 April 2025
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Written by Lena Simmons
You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think," — Winnie the Pooh to Christopher Robin, written by A.A. Milne
The Third Annual Children’s Mental Health and Wellness Fair is sponsored by the Cumberland County School System. The event will take place on May 3 at Festival Park from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Activities include a one-mile walk for suicide prevention, community resources, live fitness presentations, games, tech prizes, freebies, food trucks and a bike rodeo. No pets are allowed at the event. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, visit the Cumberland County Schools website at https://www.ccs.k12.nc.us.
May 2025 is Mental Health Awareness Month. The theme for 2025 is Turn Awareness into Action. The Green Ribbon is the international symbol of Mental Health Awareness. Mental Health America has sponsored and founded May Mental Health Awareness Month in 1949. Mental Health America works to close the mental health equity gap while increasing nationwide awareness. The mission is the advancement of mental health and well-being of all people living in the United States, through public research, advocacy, policy, and direct service. The strategic plan remains focused on the health and well-being of future generations, on systemic reforms and on embracing new frontiers of science, according to the National Council for Wellbeing, 2025, Mental Health America.
Mental Health challenges are more than adolescents feeling blue. It affects many areas of the teen’s life. Mental Health problems in our youth go hand and hand with other behavioral risks such as substance misuse, experiencing violence, and sexual behaviors.
The statistics are notable; globally, one in seven young persons from the ages of 10 to 19 experience a mental health disorder; in the United States in 2023, 20.3 percent of adolescents aged 12 to 17 experienced a behavioral health challenge. Fifty-two percent of lifelong experiences with mental challenges begin at fourteen. Twenty percent have considered committing suicide, and forty percent experience feelings of hopelessness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to Bright Path Health, firearm-related death rates have increased among adolescents in North Carolina by 23.1 percent from 2020 to 2021. In 2022, 11 percent of North Carolina children experienced anxiety or depression. This is up 7.6 percent from 2016. In 2019, suicide was the leading cause of death in North Carolina in the age group 10 to 17.
A study by the National Institute of Health estimated child and adolescent mental health disorders cost $247 billion annually, with additional external costs linked to delinquent behaviors, poorer academic outcomes, substance misuse and crime in adulthood, according to the National Institute of Health.
Dr. Natasha Scott, Executive Director of Cumberland County School Student Services, introduced the mental health and wellness fair to the district two years ago as a fresh way to raise awareness about an issue vital to the lives of students and their families.
“The event really needed to be a fun event that would get people active and moving while sharing resources people need. When you are active and being physical, it produces endorphins, which are chemicals in your brain that produce positive feelings,” Scott said.
Jump into Mental Health and Wellness at the Third Annual Children’s Mental Health and Wellness Fair sponsored by Cumberland County School System on May 3 at Festival Park.
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Tuesday, 15 April 2025
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Written by Amber Little
Adulthood is something we all prepare for our whole lives. It’s marked with greater responsibility, financially and emotionally, the stress of jobs, careers, mortgages, marriages, and, for some, children. The days of the week blend, and the weekend seems like a blur of fitting in self-care while simultaneously trying to work through the house to-do list. The social circles become smaller and the experience of making friends becomes foreign. Making friends as an adult comes with its own set of challenges and anxiety. Hoping to change that and help women in Fayetteville meet new friends is a new event, The Social Bloom: A Speed-Friending Experience. Join other women for an evening of meaningful conversations, connection, and intentionality on Saturday, April 26, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Blissful Alchemist, located at 414 Ray Ave.. A cute twist on popular speed-dating, speed-friending follows the same concept. Blissful Alchemist will provide a comfy and inviting atmosphere for participants, there will be music and light refreshments. Each table will have conversation starters and periodically throughout the evening there will be guided conversations.
Local therapist, licensed clinical social worker, and founder of Selfly Enterprise, PLLC, Adriana Londono is the brain and passion behind the event.
What is Speed-Friending?
Speed friending is like speed dating — but with friendship in mind. Participants rotate through short, meaningful conversations with new people, allowing them to meet several potential friends in a short period of time. It’s designed to take the pressure off and make meeting new people feel fun, easy, and intentional.
What is The Social Bloom?
The Social Bloom is a speed-friending event designed specifically for women who are looking to make new friends and build community. It’s a blend of intentional conversations, light-hearted moments, and a touch of therapeutic coaching to help ease those social jitters. It’s not a therapy event — it’s a fun, supportive experience designed to help women bloom socially and start friendships that feel aligned and real.
Who is The Social Bloom for?
The event is for women — especially those in their 20s, 30s, and 40s — who are looking to make new friends, whether they’ve recently moved to the area, are going through a life transition, or just want to build a deeper sense of connection and community.
What sparked the idea for The Social Bloom
“The Social Bloom was born out of a pattern I kept noticing in both my clients and my own personal experiences — a deep craving for connection and a feeling of loneliness that lingered even when surrounded by people. After diving deeper into the topic, I came across research from Harvard highlighting how loneliness has become an epidemic, affecting people of all ages and backgrounds. Disconnection isn't just an emotional struggle; it's also a public health issue. I knew I had to do something — so I created a space where women could meet face-to-face, build authentic friendships, and feel seen.”
What can ladies attending expect?
"Expect good vibes, warm energy, and structured but relaxed activities to help spark conversation. We'll have printed conversation starters, cozy seating, music, light refreshments, and guided moments where I’ll support attendees with communication techniques and reflection prompts to deepen their connections. By the end of the event, we’ll open up the space for casual networking and free-flow conversations so folks can continue connecting at their own pace."
What is your ultimate goal for The Social Bloom?
"The response has already been amazing, and I truly believe the city needs more events like this. My goal is to host The Social Bloom quarterly and collaborate with local businesses for pop-up speed friending events. Not only would this bring more awareness to their businesses, but it would also provide fresh ways for new friends to keep connecting — over coffee, art, books, brunch, and more. The Social Bloom is just the beginning!"
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3RdvZNd
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