mental health awareness

Better Together? Definitely!

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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)

They Walk for Mental Health

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Nearly 200 mental health champions participated in the annual fundraising walk for the Finger Lakes affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) at Ithaca’s Stewart Park on May 3, surpassing the organization’s $50,000 goal for NAMI’s support and education programs.

NAMI Finger Lakes Executive Director Sandra Sorensen and friend lead the way

Thirty-eight teams and countless individuals participated in the local NAMIWalks event this year, led by Bouyant Punk which collected $6,213, Together We Walk with another $4,619, and Team Archer with $3,338. Other teams hitting the $2,000 mark included PhenomiNAMInal with $2,495, Ithacares $2,461, and Deb’s Team $2,200.

David Archer was the No. 1 individual fundraiser, with $3,288. Other top individual fundraisers included: Sandra Sorensen (NAMI Finger Lakes executive director), Jae Sullivan, Meggin Rose, Bon Chiang, Jason Hungerford, Joni Spielholz, Howard Reid, Helen Ann Yunis, and Mollie Kristof.

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NAMIWalks fundraising continues online

The event’s keynote speaker was Ithaca Mayor Robert Cantelmo, who thanked NAMI for helping fight the social stigma around mental health.

“Those of you who know me who have heard me speak at events like this before know that I’m very open about my own mental health challenges,” Cantelmo said. “I live with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. One of the most important things we can do, in addition to raising awareness, is trying to work a little harder to destigmatize mental health challenges.”

“There’s an enormous number of folks who live with them. It’s not always easy to get out of bed in the morning, but we have to make that choice every day. We have to support our loved ones and they have to do the same. I’m just so grateful. Your city is behind you, really supportive of you being out here today, doing everything you’re doing.”

Another speaker was Serena Exantus, coordinator of NAMI’s Sharing Hope program, which is designed to bring mental wellness, conversation, and an open space for the Black community.

“The reason why I got involved in this initiative is because while I was very passionate about mental health, there was a gap in the community. As people who are navigating mental wellness, we need people who look like us and understand us and where we can relate to them. And that’s what’s so great about NAMI, that they create programs that meet people where they are.”

The event involved a 1-mile walk, a 5K “fun run,” games in the Kids Zone, massages by Attuned Life, snacks, and music by DJ Anthony. NAMI and other local mental health organizations staffed information tables sharing mental health resources available in the local community.

This year’s walk included a raffle of locally donated items: massages, gift certificates for local restaurants, wine, gift baskets, Science Center tickets, Strong Museum passes, New York Mets tickets, and sporting paraphernalia from local teams. 

NAMI Finger Lakes offers an array of peer-led programs that provide free education, skills training, and support for family members, caregivers, and loved ones of individuals living with mental illness.

It operates a HelpLine where experienced volunteers answer calls for support and mental health resources. The number is (607) 252-6264.

According to NAMI Finger Lakes Program Manager Jason Hungerford, donations have enabled the organization to expand its programming and make a major impact over the past year. For example, NAMI has offered additional Family-to-Family mental health education classes, the Sharing Hope conversation series, and training for 60 additional first responders in NAMI’s Overwatch Peer Support.

Hungerford said that the chapter aided some 290 individuals through three unique support groups that meet twice a month. The organization has also reached more than 1,300 students and community members through mental health education and awareness presentations like Ending the Silence.

Sponsors of the 2026 NAMIWalks included Segal & Sorensen, Cayuga Health, Tompkins Community Bank, Wegmans, Cornell University, Guthrie, Cayuga Landscape, Excellus, del Lago Resort & Casino, Beginnings Credit Union, Finger Lakes Grassroots Festival, Howard Hanna, and Copper House Coffee.

NAMI Finger Lakes is one of some 600 local affiliates of the national organization, a grassroots mental health organization founded in 1979 dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI says its mission is to educate, support, advocate, listen and lead to improve the lives of people with mental illness and their loved ones.

Here’s to Mental Health Awareness Month!

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May is Mental Health Awareness Month, promoting a cause that is dear to Ithaca Beer Co. and The Sophie Fund. The two organizations are partnering this year to highlight the many mental health information and treatment resources that are available in Tompkins County.

Zach McGovern and Valerie Consiglio-Nickerson, Taproom managers at Ithaca Beer

Throughout the month, Ithaca Beer will provide its customers with a resource card listing local providers for psychotherapy and psychiatry, addiction counseling, support groups, peer counseling, and sexual violence support.

The card’s flip side contains 5 Simple Steps, a brief safety plan that can help prevent an immediate mental health challenge from escalating. With the card’s QR code, users can download the resources to their smart phones.

“Mental health is a fundamental aspect of overall health, and is too often ignored, under supported, and stigmatized,” said Jess Mitchell, Ithaca Beer Co. director of operations. “We welcome hundreds of visitors monthly, giving us the platform to reach our community widely. We are committed to doing our part to connect people with the resources they need.”

In addition to the resource cards, Ithaca Beer will be hosting informational mental health presentations by the Finger Lakes chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the Suicide Prevention & Crisis Service of Tompkins County.

Ithaca Beer and The Sophie Fund are also running a mental health awareness campaign on social media, pointing to local resources, breaking the stigma around mental health, and encouraging anyone who is struggling to reach out for help.

The organizations, along with Better Together for Mental Health, will host a special Mental Health Awareness Month gathering for local mental health workers honoring their dedication and impact. The event will take place at Ithaca Beer on May 28.

Scott MacLeod, co-founder of The Sophie Fund, expressed gratitude for Ithaca Beer’s effort to promote mental health in the community.

“Stigma remains an obstacle that prevents many people who are struggling from acknowledging they need help or actually reaching out to loved ones or professionals for support,” he said.

“When a high-profile company like Ithaca Beer steps up to actively help normalize talking about mental health, it makes all the difference. Nobody should suffer in silence when help is available.”

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Walk (or Run) the NAMIWalk on May 3!

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If it’s May, that means it’s Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to celebrate and honor the providers, caregivers, educators, advocates, and other dedicated souls who aid mental health and wellness in our community.

More than 250 mental health champions including 50 teams and countless individuals will participate in the annual NAMIWalk fundraiser for the Finger Lakes chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). It takes place at the Large Pavilion in Ithaca’s Stewart Park on May 3 from 1-4 p.m. This year’s goal is to raise $50,000.

2024 NAMIWalk in Stewart Park

Click here to be a sponsor, become a fundraiser, donate to a team, or sign up to join the NAMIWalk

The event is an occasion for those affected by mental health to share community and draw strength from solidarity. Despite the serious subject matter, the annual NAMIWalk is a joyful event.

The event includes a 1-mile walk, a 5K “fun run,” games in the Kids Zone, massages by Attuned Life, snacks, and music by DJ Anthony. NAMI and other local mental health organizations staff information tables sharing resources available in the local community.

This year’s walk includes a raffle of locally donated items, which include: massages, gift certificates for local restaurants, wine, gift baskets, Science Center tickets, Strong Museum passes, New York Mets tickets, and sporting paraphernalia from local teams. 

“The most meaningful part of bringing people together for a common cause is the sharing of stories. Being vulnerable and open connects people who are experiencing similar hardships, making us feel less alone,” said Sandra Sorensen, NAMI Finger Lakes executive director.

Sorensen, who lost her husband Michael to suicide, said that while raising funds is crucial for NAMI programs, NAMIWalk’s real success is making a huge statement about fighting the stigma that prevents many from seeking help.

“The cause is really near and dear to my heart, as I have a lot of lived experience caregiving for people who have mental health issues. My Michael did not feel safe in talking about or receiving the help he needed for his bipolar disorder because he feared stigma, shame, and professional ramifications,” she said.

The NAMIWalk funds programs such as peer-led support groups for family members, caregivers and loved ones of individuals living with mental illness. NAMI operates a HelpLine where experienced volunteers answer calls for support and mental health resources. The number is (607 252-6264).

“NAMIWalks is one of our most important events of the year, helping us raise both awareness and critical funding to keep all of our education and support programs free to the community,” said NAMI Finger Lakes Program Manager Jason Hungerford.

He said that donations have enabled the organization to expand its programming and make a major impact over the past year. For example, he said, NAMI has offered additional Family-to-Family mental health education classes, a Sharing Hope conversation series for people who identify as Black or of African ancestry, and training of 60 additional first responders in NAMI’s Overwatch Peer Support.

Hungerford said that NAMI Finger Lakes aided some 290 individuals through three unique support groups that meet twice a month. The organization has also reached more than 1,300 students and community members through mental health education and awareness presentations like Ending the Silence.

Sponsors of the 2026 NAMIWalk include Segal & Sorensen, Cayuga Health, Tompkins Community Bank, Wegmans, Cornell University, Guthrie, Cayuga Landscape, Excellus, del Lago Resort & Casino, Beginnings Credit Union, Finger Lakes Grassroots Festival, Howard Hanna, and Copper House Coffee.

NAMI Finger Lakes is one of some 600 local affiliates of the national organization, a grassroots mental health organization founded in 1979 dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI says its mission is to educate, support, advocate, listen and lead to improve the lives of people with mental illness and their loved ones.

The Art of Renewal @ Orozco Gallery

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In times of uncertainty, art remains a powerful act of resilience. This April and early May, Orozco Gallery will open its doors for the second year as a vibrant pop-up space dedicated to creativity, connection, and cultural celebration. The venue is located at 115 S. Cayuga Street (next to Hawi Ethiopian Cuisine).

Orozco Gallery activates underutilized storefronts, transforming empty spaces into temporary hubs for arts, culture, and community. Throughout the month, the gallery will feature artist talks, live music, dance performances, workshops, film screenings, and family-friendly gatherings, inviting community members of all ages to participate in a welcoming, sober environment.

Many events are free or offered on a sliding scale to ensure accessibility. Select programs require RSVP. Full details and the complete schedule are available at orozcogallery.com.

Now more than ever, art is an act of resistance and renewal—a way to reclaim joy, foster dialogue, and strengthen community bonds. This series is organized and founded by community maker, curator, and activist Yen Ospina in collaboration with the Latino Civic Association of Tompkins County, with support from GreenStar Food Co+op with opening catering from JoJo Cook, and with additional support from the Latina/o Studies Program at Cornell University.

This year’s pop-up is presented in loving memory of Debra Castillo, who championed Ospina’s work as a community maker, activist, and artist. Ospina and Castillo had envisioned building this initiative into an annual gathering. In honor of Castillo’s legacy, Ospina is committed to continuing the pop-up each year as a space for cultural celebration and collective care.

—Orozco Gallery

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Event Schedule

Friday, April 3 | 5:00–8:00 PM

Grand Gallery Opening Reception

Celebrate the launch of the pop-up season with non-alcoholic drinks by Open Spaces and food by Jojo Cook. Free; all ages welcome.

Saturday, April 4 | 4:00–6:00 PM

Easter Egg Painting

A creative evening for all ages. Sliding scale fee; non-alcoholic drinks available.

Tuesday, April 7 | 3:00–5:30 PM

Work, Tea & Lo-Fi

Bring your laptop or journal and co-work to lo-fi beats. All ages; free (tea fee).

Wednesday, April 8 | 5:00–7:00 PM

Clothing Swap & Chill

Bring three articles of clothing to swap and mingle. Free; non-alcoholic drinks available.

Thursday, April 9

Panaderia Peluche Artist Talk & Workshop 6:00 – 7:00 PM Melissa Castillo Artist Talk & Workshop 7:00 – 8:00 pm Ages 14+; free; supplies included; RSVP encouraged

Friday, April 10

Poison Apple Society Artist Talk & Workshop 6:00 – 7:00 PM Sarah Lopez Artist Talk & Workshop 7:00 – 8:00 pm Ages 14+; free; supplies included; RSVP encouraged

Saturday, April 11 | 7:00–9:00 PM

Date Night: Live Bossa Nova Jazz
Free; ages 14+; non-alcoholic drinks available.

Sunday, April 12 | 4:00–6:00 PM

Sip & Paint (Bob Ross–Inspired)

Sliding scale; ages 14+; supplies included; RSVP encouraged.

Tuesday, April 14 | 3:00–5:30 PM

Work, Tea & Lo-Fi

Bring your laptop or journal and co-work to lo-fi beats. All ages; free (tea fee).

Wednesday, April 15 | 7:00–9:00 PM

Latine Drag Night featuring Skarlet Killz & Queentessential & Noah Phence Free; all ages welcome; non-alcoholic drinks available.

Thursday, April 16 | 6:00–8:00 PM

Luna Fiber Studios Artist Talk & Workshop 6:00 – 7:00 PM Gabriella Evergreen Artist Talk & Workshop 7:00 – 8:00 pm Ages 14+; free; supplies included; RSVP encouraged.

Friday, April 17

Annie Sheng Artist Talk & Workshop 6:00 – 7:00 PM Rory Ruiz Romero Howell Artist Talk & Workshop 7:00 – 8:00 pm

Ages 14+; free; supplies included; RSVP encouraged.

Saturday, April 18 | 7:00–9:00 PM

Afro-Cuban Live Music with Venissa Santi 3rio Free; ages 14+; non-alcoholic drinks available.

Sunday, April 19 | 5:00–6:00 PM

Lily Pad Puppet Theatre

Free; all ages welcome; non-alcoholic drinks available.

Tuesday, April 21 | 5:00–6:00 PM

Work, Tea & Lo-Fi

Bring your laptop or journal and co-work to lo-fi beats. All ages; free (tea fee).

Wednesday, April 22 | 5:00–6:00 PM

Bilingual Story Time

In collaboration with Buffalo St Books, Free; all ages welcome.

Thursday, April 23 | 6:00–8:00 PM

Make Your Own Paper Doll

Ages 14+; free; supplies included; RSVP encouraged.

Friday, April 24

Carolina Osorio Gril Artist Talk & Workshop 6:00 – 7:00 PM Yamilka Portorreal Artist Talk & Workshop 7:00 – 8:00 pm

Ages 14+; free; supplies included; RSVP encouraged.

Saturday, April 25 | 7:00–9:00 PM

Film Night: The Shape of Water

Free; ages 18+; bring pillows or a comfortable camping chair.

Sunday, April 26 | 4:00–6:00 PM

Zine Workshop

Ages 18+; sliding scale; supplies included; RSVP encouraged.

Tuesday, April 28 | 5:00–6:00 PM

Work, Tea & Lo-Fi

Bring your laptop or journal and co-work to lo-fi beats. All ages; free (tea fee).

Wednesday, April 29 | 5:00–7:00 PM

Make Your Own Victorian Puzzle Letter

Ages 14+; sliding scale; supplies included; non-alcoholic drinks available. RSVP encouraged.

Thursday, April 30 | 6:00–7:00 PM

Latin Dance Class

Ages 14+; sliding scale; bring water and comfortable shoes.

Friday, May 1 | 5:00–8:00 PM

Closing Reception

Free; catering by Zócalo; drinks by Open Spaces.

Saturday, May 2 | 8:00 PM–12:00 AM

The Dutchess of Spirit Posse Dance Party

Sliding scale; ages 18+; non-alcoholic drinks available.