Magellan Youth Leaders Inspiring Future Empowerment (M.Y.L.I.F.E.) is preparing to host its the third annual My Fest Florida for National Mental Illness Awareness Week Saturday.
This a free community event organized to raise awareness and share resources concerning mental illness, substance use, foster care, violence and other challenges that youth and young adults encounter.
My Fest is where the community can attain information related to mental health while enjoying activities.
Live music, performances, games and hundreds of resources for youth and families will be available.
Youth Empowerment Director, Greg Dicharry, has high expectations for the event.
“My Fest is about inspiring young people to overcome obstacles in their lives, while providing resources and information that can help them do it; and accomplish their dreams and goals,” said Dicharry.
My L.I.F.E., has designed and produced 16 My Fest events nationwide.
Lewis Thurston, Tallahassee Brand ambassador with M.Y.L.I.F.E. Florida, wants the whole city to get involved.
“Everybody needs to know about M.Y. L.I.F.E and what we have going on over at Palmer Munroe Teen Center,” said Thurston.“Especially organizations on FAMU and FSU campuses.
More than 1,000 attendees and 40 exhibitors participated in last year’s My Fest in Tallahassee.
The organization wants the community’s help to make this the best My Fest yet.
Dr. Brian Sims, a psychology professor at Florida A&M University, believes that the African American community should focus more on mental health.
“People of African descent face special challenges to healthy living due to attacks on our relationships, families and communities. We need efforts like these to raise community awareness of these attacks and challenges in order to put our young people in a position to survive,” said Sims.
The event will take place at Kleman Plaza, from noon to 5 p.m.
To RSVP and for more information, contact Greg Dicharry at 602-570-1204 or Lewis Thurston at 850-879-1294. Also, visit www.Facebook.com/MYLIFEyouth