Suntree United Methodist Church to Host 7th Annual Mental Health Fair in Melbourne Sept. 14

2.9 million Florida adults have a mental health condition

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – On Saturday, September 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Mental Health Task Force of Suntree United Methodist Church will present its 7th Annual Mental Health Fair: A Time for Hope – at the church at 7400 North Wickham Road in north Melbourne.

This year’s event will feature speakers sharing their journeys and offering hope for those struggling with mental health conditions. Presentations and breakout seminars will follow, each led by skilled professionals on a variety of mental health topics.

Stories and seminars will address the family dynamics of mental illness, addiction and recovery, the journey of loss by suicide, mental health in both teens and seniors, emotional and spiritual self-care, the continuum of care in Brevard County, and a question and answer session.

Information related to Central Florida mental health programs and services will be available from 21 different resource providers. Suntree United Methodist Church has been presenting annual Mental Health Fairs since 2018.

Florida statistics are sobering. According to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), Florida is in the midst of a mental health epidemic. As of 2022 data, 2.9 million Florida adults have a mental health condition. 180,000 Floridians aged 12-17 suffer from depression.

Despite the tremendous need, 648,000 Floridians with serious mental health conditions will not receive the mental health care they require, due to a serious shortage in mental health providers, and an underfunded public mental health system. Florida currently ranks 49th in the nation for access to mental health care.

Rev. Dr. John Baggett is a retired pastor and former State Director of Mental Health in North Carolina. He is also the chair of the Suntree United Methodist Church Mental Health Task Force.

“The Space Coast, like the rest of the nation, is dealing with an epidemic of mental health conditions,” said Dr. Baggett.

“Our community is awash in depression, anxiety, suicides, and substance abuse. But there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Younger people are more focused on self-care, and their acceptance of others struggling with mental health challenges is helping to reduce the stigma.”

With seven mental health fairs in as many years, the Mental Health Task Force of Suntree United Methodist Church has emerged as a Central Florida leader in mental health awareness and advocacy.

Each autumn, the church at 7400 N. Wickham Road in Melbourne holds an event designed to increase awareness, reduce stigma, offer help and hope for persons with mental health conditions, and advocate for improved mental health care.

Click here to register for the free mental health fair, or call 321-255-7378.

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