Above: SYFS is promoting its series of events to embrace Mental Health Awareness this coming month. (images edited from flyer)
Tomorrow is the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM).
I’m sharing some newly added events, plus reminders of Southborough Youth & Family Services’ planned activities to celebrate May as Mental Health Awareness Month. It includes their call for (very) short stories.
The 2024 theme is “When Life Gives You Lemons”. SYFS message about the initiative explained:
The idea is that through the negative, we can also find positive. We can’t make the bad things go away, but we can reframe it to learn our strengths. It’s also giving us permission to find moments of joy when we are experiencing hard things. It’s our hope that all of our events this year will highlight “making lemonade”!
Call for Stories (by May 6th)
SYFS announcement is seeking stories from writers (either signed or anonymous) to be displayed at the Celebrate Wellness reception on May 29th.
For families who aren’t leaving town, the all ages challenge is one more activity to keep kids busy over spring break!:
Calling story tellers of all ages! SYFS is seeking one-page stories to share at our annual Celebrate Wellness event that ties up Mental Health Awareness Month in May. . .
we want you to share a time in your life that you were experiencing a difficult time and still managed to find a spark of hope or happiness.
While we are looking for true personal stories of resiliency, submissions can be other kinds of writing, too—like fiction or poetry
The deadline for submissions is May 6th. For more details, scroll to the bottom of this post.*
Special Events
Stay tuned for more details on some of the following events. (Note the calendar doesn’t include two newly added library programs listed below.):
Community Read Discussion
Thursday, May 2, 7:00 pm via zoom
A group discussion over zoom of the Community Read selection, the 
YA novel-in-verse, Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson.
Click here for a dedicated post with more details.
Southborough Goes Green
Friday, May 3
The community is encouraged to wear green in a show of support. Look for green ribbons across Southborough.
Shop with a Purpose
Sunday, May 5, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm @ the Community House, 28 Main Street
The third annual artisan fair and raffle put on by Friends of the Southborough Youth Commission as a fundraiser to support SYFS’ giving and scholarship programs. Look forward to a day of “fun, food trucks, and shopping “all for a good cause”. This year, they’ll be adding fun activities for kids. Click here for a dedicated post with more details.
Laugh & Learn: The Power of the Positive
Tuesday, May 14, 6:30 pm @ Stephens Hall at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 27 Main St.
A talk by “the hilarious Carrie Stack” of the Say YES Institute will “help us to find the positive when things are tough”. Seats will be limited for this by-ticket-only event ($20 per person, purchased via Venmo @FriendsSYF, or by calling 508-481-5676). For details, see dedicated post.
Therapy Dog Session
Wednesday, May 15, 4:00 pm @ Southborough Library’s Eaton Room
Stop by to destress and relax by spending some time with Julie and her Pet Partners certified therapy dog, Glory. Open to adults, teens, and kids!.
Story Time with Miss Kim (ages 2-5)
Monday & Tuesday, May 20 & 21, 10:30 – 11:15 am @ Southborough Library’s Children’s Room
That week’s regular Preschool Story Times (with craft) for children ages 2-5 will have stories selected to promote the month’s Mental Health Awareness theme. No registration is required.
Question, Persuade, Refer: How ANY Person Can Prevent Suicide
Tuesday, May 21, 6:30 – 8:30 pm @ zoom
Join SYFS’s Shannon to learn why preventing suicide is everyone’s job. Shannon will teach you how using empathy and love is all you need to help your friends and loved ones. For details, see dedicated post.
Story Time with Miss Kim (ages 0-2)
Thursday, May 23, 11:00 – 11:30 am @ Southborough Library’s Children’s Room
That week’s regular Baby & Toddler Story Time (with puppets & music) for children ages 0-2 will be geared to promote the month’s Mental Health Awareness theme. No registration is required.
To be Rescheduled – Healthy Body Healthy Mind
Date TBD – Saturday, May 25, 11:00 am @ Southborough Library, Main Floor
Free teen program for ages 12+. The fun workshop combines movement and breath work with journaling and conversation. Learn exercises (for all levels) to help to navigate everyday challenges and foster personal development. Breakfast food will be available. Registration is required here and participants should bring a yoga mat.
Celebrate Wellness Event
Wednesday, May 29, 6:00 pm @ the Community House, 28 Main Street
This is the celebration to wrap up the month’s MHAM events and present this year’s winner of the Laurie Sugarman Whittier Wellness Award. (Read more about the award here.) This year’s recipient is Dr. Safdar Medina.
The event includes music, art, and light refreshments. No registration is required. (There is a $5 suggested donation to support SYFS’ programs including Winter Wishes and Summer Camperships. Venmo will be accepted.)
To look for past posts (and future ones) on Mental Health Awareness month activities, click here.
*Story submissions must fit on one 8 ½ x 11” page with 1” margins and have been edited for grammar and spelling. Please let them know if you prefer the story to include your name or be anonymous. To ask any questions or submit your stories, email Shannon Kinayman at skinayman@southboroughma.com.
Updated (5/1/24/ 2:40 pm): I added a link to a post about The Power of the Positive event.
Updated (5/14/24/ 2:38 pm): I learned that the Healthy Body, Healthy Mind program for teens is being rescheduled to a date TBD.
Updated (5/16/24/ 1:58 pm): I added a link to the QPR event post, and fixed the previously incorrect date for the Celebrate Wellness event.
