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)
Not one! Nary a cloud appeared in an all-blue sky for “Better Together for Mental Health,” the third annual community celebration marking Mental Health Awareness Month in Ithaca’s Stewart Park on May 10.
GIAC Jumpers!
More than 800 people enjoyed a day filled with musical acts; free meals and treats from area food favorites; carousel rides, face painting, crafts, and story times for kids; musical acts by local bands; and information tables staffed by 40 Ithaca-area health and wellness organizations.
“My gosh, what a gorgeous, beautiful day, and it’s just really sweet to see so many people interacting in a positive way with each other and so many smiles and children laughing and playing,” said Jaydn McCune, co-chair of the planning committee.
“Why do we need this? Because human nature is that we focus on problems. It’s important for us for survival, but what we need is to connect with each other. And what we know about the antidote to trauma and toxic stress is connection and relationship, and that’s what Better Together is all about.”
SingTrece, the One and Only!
Organizer Sandy True also felt blessed by the sunny skies. “Truly, we are better together. People enjoyed being outside, tasting wonderful food, listening to amazing musicians, being entertained by a variety of performers, carousel rides, and learning about ways to support your mental health,” she said.
Perhaps the biggest hit with kids was the Stewart Park Carousel, which hosted nearly 900 free rides thanks to the sponsorship of McCutcheon, Patel, Livermore, and Associates.
Non-stop carousel rides!
Stewart Park’s Small Pavilion was transformed into the Family Activities Pavilion, sponsored by The Sophie Fund, which hosted children-focused activities including story-telling, crafts, and games. The Family Reading Partnership gave away free copies of the beautiful illustrated children’s book “How Starling Got his Speckles” also with sponsorship from The Sophie Fund.
The stage of the Large Pavilion featured continuous performances by Down to Earth, Cakebatter, SingTrece, RDF and Jack Brown, Thousands of One, and the GIAC Jumpers. Mrs. Activist New York Kris Valkyrie and Miss Activist New York Rose served as emcees for the sets.
Down to Earth
Down to Earth, Second Set
Hungry event-goers lined up all day for free food courtesy of the Better Together sponsors, dished up by Funk ‘n Waffles, Catering by Luna, Yxi’s Arepas & Gordito, Babe’s Burger, Meg-A-Moo’s Ice Cream, and Purity Ice Cream.
The Better Together 2025 sponsors: Cayuga Health; CFCU Community Credit Union; Guthrie; True Insurance; Community Foundation of Tompkins County; Friends of Greg Eells; Health & Unity for Greg (HUG); Sciarabba Walker & Co.; The Sophie Fund; Therm; Tompkins Financial; McCutcheon, Patel, Livermore, and Associates; Vicki and Jay Williamson of Northwestern Mutual; Wegmans; Carla and Steve Fontana; Gene Yarussi; and numerous others.
Better Together planners are thrilled to see the event grow year after year. Said Libby Demarest, director of Community Engagement at Family & Children’s Service of Ithaca: “It represents the true essence of collaboration as we watch all of our local mental health and many other local human service agencies come together for a common goal: to share information and resources in the effort to destigmatize mental health and help folks get equipped with the resources they need.”
Funk ‘n Waffles
Yxi’s Arepas & Gordito
Babe’s Burger
Catering by Luna
Purity Ice Cream
Queuing Up for Lunch
Thousands of One
Organizers Libby Demarest and Sandy True
Kari Burke and Jaydn McCune from the Better Together Team
Family Activities Pavilion
Family Reading Partnership
Health and Unity for Greg
Suicide Prevention & Crisis Service of Tompkins County
Win a Prize!
Family & Children’s Service of Ithaca
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Greater Central New York
“Better Together for Mental Health,” a free community-wide celebration, is back for its third iteration on Saturday May 10 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. in Ithaca’s Stewart Park. To mark Mental Health Awareness Month, the event is a fun day of free activities for all ages. Participate in mindful movement, dance, live music, street performances, workshops, free activities for kids including face-painting and carousel rides, indulge in free food offerings, and much more.
Free Carousel Rides at “Better Together”
Stewart Park will be abuzz with community organizations, mental health providers, instructors, and entertainers, creating a vibrant atmosphere for learning, laughter, and connection. Explore and learn about mental health, discover ways to support yourself, and connect with others.
“This will be our third year of Better Together, and we cannot wait for the community to join us again this year,” said Jaydyn McCune, co-chair of the planning committee. “This event highlights things we can all do on a daily basis to help keep ourselves and others mentally healthy. We encourage everyone to come out and join us to celebrate wellness. Let’s make mental health a collective priority, because we are truly ‘Better Together.’”
Representatives from 50 different community organizations will be spread out along the walking path of the park between the large and small pavilions, to share information about their programs as well as provide wellness-based activities, such as arts and crafts, “make your own stress ball,” lawn games, food sampling and more.
Stewart Park’s carousel rides will be available at no cost for the duration of the event, with special thanks to McCutcheon, Patel, Livermore and Associates for their generous sponsorship.
Planned performances and mental health practices will take place throughout the day at the Large Pavilion. This year’s event will include performances by local favorites, including Rootstock, Cakebatter, SingTrece, RDF, Jack Brown, and Thousands of One.
The Small Pavilion will be transformed into the Family Activities Pavilion, sponsored in part by The Sophie Fund. This space will host a multitude of children-focused activities, story-telling, crafts and games.
There will be multiple food vendors on-site, providing free food for all in attendance, thanks to the generous event sponsors. Food vendors include Catering by Luna Inspired Street Food, Yxi’s Arepas & Gorditos, Meg -A-Moo’s Ice Cream, Via’s Cookies, Babe’s Burger, and Funk ‘n Waffles.
“Better Together for Mental Health” is grateful for the support of its many sponsors, partners, and supporters:
Cayuga Health; CFCU Community Credit Union; Guthrie; True Insurance; Community Foundation of Tompkins County; Friends of Greg Eells; Health & Unity for Greg (HUG); Sciarabba Walker & Co.; The Sophie Fund; Therm; Tompkins Financial; McCutcheon, Patel, Livermore, and Associates; Vicki and Jay Williamson of Northwestern Mutual; Wegmans; Carla and Steve Fontana; Gene Yarussi; and numerous others.
“Better Together for Mental Health,” a free community-wide celebration, is back for its second iteration this year on Saturday May 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ithaca’s Stewart Park.
Alan Rose and the Restless Elements
This event, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, is a fun day of activities for all ages. Attendees can enjoy live music, dance, wellness workshops, face-painting and carousel rides for kids, indulge in free street food and ice cream, and much more.
Stewart Park will be abuzz with community organizations, mental health providers, instructors, and entertainers, in a vibrant atmosphere for learning, laughter, and connection.
“The turn-out last year for our inaugural event was incredible, and we are so pleased to bring this event back again for our community,” said Jaydyn McCune, co-chair of the planning committee.
“This event highlights things we can all do on a daily basis to help keep ourselves and others mentally healthy. We encourage everyone to come out and join us to celebrate wellness. Let’s make mental health a collective priority, because we are truly ‘Better Together.’”
The event kicks off at the Large Pavilion with a public proclamation for Mental Health Awareness Month from City of Ithaca Mayor Robert Cantelmo. New York State Senator Lea Webb and Assemblymember Anna Kelles will give opening remarks.
Cantata Singers
Alan Rose and the Restless Elements get the beats started with a musical tribute, “The Better Together Song.” Other featured performers include Mandy Goldman, Penelope Voss, Joe Gibson and Dan Collins, the Cantana Singers, Rose Alaimo and Stan Stewart, GIAC Jumpers, and Crossroads the Clown.
The Small Pavilion is the venue for wellness workshops on meditation, life-coaching, choral singing, conflict management, and life balance.
A special tent space in the park will host interactive activities, including story time for children, yoga, sound therapy, meditation, and a singing circle.
Luna Inspired Street Food, Yxi’s Arepas & the Chef Gordito, Meg A Moo’s Ice Cream, and Purity Ice Cream Co. will be providing free eats for attendees.
Dan Collins and Joe Gibson
Representatives from over 30 community organizations will spread out along the walking path of the park, to share information about their programs as well as provide wellness-based activities, such as arts and crafts and lawn games.
Better Together is organized by more than 15 local organizations and dozens of artists, musicians, mental health practitioners, and volunteers.
This year’s event is sponsored by Cayuga Health, CFCU Community Credit Union, Guthrie, True Insurance; funded in partnership by Friends of Greg, The Sophie Fund, Northwestern Mutual, Sciarabba Walker & Co.; and supported by the Community Foundation of Tompkins County, Duthie Orthodontics, Health & Unity for Greg, Tompkins Community Bank, and McCutcheon, Patel, Livermore & Associates DDS. In-kind donations are provided by Wegmans, Gimme! Coffee and Ithaca Coffee Co.; along with personal donations from Carla and Steve Fontana, Gene Yarussi, and numerous others.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which inspires us to reflect on our own well-being and to check in on loved ones and friends. It’s also a chance for all of us to help fight the stigma around mental illness and appreciate our local mental health work force. Check out what’s happening in the greater Ithaca community this month!
NAMIWalks
On Saturday May 4, the Finger Lakes chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness hosts its NAMIWalks fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Stewart Park. You can do a one-mile walk or a fun 5K run. Other activities: face painting, food, live music, yoga, giveaways, local mental health information tables, free hugs, Be Kind, memory wall, passport scavenger hunt, and more.
The event raises awareness about mental health and collects funds for NAMI Finger Lakes. The organization provides support for families and friends of people diagnosed with major mental illnesses, educates about mental health conditions, and advocates for families and their loved ones.
Celebrate mental health at the Better Together fair at Stewart Park on May 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It’s a fun day of FREE live music, dance, juggling performances, well-being workshops, yoga, and free street food. Check out the information tables staffed by more than a dozen local mental health providers.
Better Together for Mental Health is a collaboration of community organizations coming together to share the message of community investment in mental health and wellness.
Mental Health America provides a wealth of information and materials to help individuals, organizations, schools, and businesses participate in Mental Health Awareness Month.
MHA’s 2024 theme is “Where to Start: Mental Health in a Changing World.” Its toolkit includes social media graphics; sample email texts, articles, and proclamations; and a host of mental health resources, coping skills, and worksheets to help navigate the challenges of living in the world today.
Mental Health America is the parent organization of the Mental Health Association in Tompkins County. Click here to check them out.
Tompkins County Mental Health Support and Crisis Services
Take the time to know what mental health support resources are available if you live in Tompkins County. Resources are helpful to those experiencing mental health disorders, as well as to their families and friends. If you are at all concerned about your mental health, or about a loved one or someone you know, stay educated about mental health and how to get help. You may even save a life.
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