Group hosts Mayfest to kick off Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Roads of Independence is hosting several events and activities in the area, starting with its Mayfest Backyard Cookout on May 1 on the Morris College campus. There was food, music by DJ Al, games, fun and community resource tables at the Mayfest event, along with a bubble release for the awareness month. The release was meant to "kick off Mental Health Awareness Month in a fun way ... by turning our troubles into bubbles," according to ROI. Roads of Independence is a young adult program with Santee Wateree Community Mental Health, which is one of the community centers with the South Carolina Department of Mental Health.

Along with Mayfest, the group is also hosting a community event on Friday, May 30, at 801 N. Pike West in Sumter. Everyone is invited to help break the stigma of mental health crisis through this awareness day.