The 4th annual Better Together for Mental Health event celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month took place on May 9 at Ithaca’s Stewart Park. It featured free food and massages; face painting, book giveaways, and carousel rides for kids; and dozens of information tables staffed by local mental health and wellness organizations.
“Programs provided resources on available services and programs in our community, along with family friendly activities to support mental health,” said Shannon Alvord, one of the organizers. “We are grateful to the people representing these wonderful agencies, who braved the weather to meet with the community and share about these essential resources.”
Kayla Eells of Health & Unity for Greg (HUG) gave out free copies of a children’s book on behalf of the Family Reading Partnership with sponsorship from The Sophie Fund.
“Between You and Me was an incredible book to hand out because its beautiful illustrations encompass what Better Together aims to achieve, promoting inclusion, awareness, and kindness in the mental health field,” said Eells.
This year’s sponsors included: Community Foundation of Tompkins County; Cayuga Health; Guthrie; THERM; True Insurance; Dryden Mutual Insurance Co.; Friends of Greg; Health & Unity for Greg; The Sophie Fund; Tompkins Community Bank; Visions Federal Credit Union; Beginnings Credit Union; Sciarabba, Walker and Co. LLC; and Lokey Studios.
Here’s a slideshow from Better Together 2026! (Photo credits: Tompkins County Whole Health; Racker; American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Greater Central New York)
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