by Brooke Carbo
The annual Mental Health Resource Fair, hosted by the UAB Employee Assistance & Counseling Center, returns for its twelfth year on Oct. 10. The free event invites members of the UAB community to the second floor of the North Pavilion Atrium at UAB Hospital, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., to get to know mental health providers and human service agencies from UAB and the Birmingham area.
Attendees will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with representatives from organizations participating in this year’s event including Children’s Aid Society, the Crisis Center in Birmingham, Family Connection, Senior Care Authority and Hand in Paw, as well as UAB programs like the Benevolent Fund and AWARE Disability Management Program.
A Hand in Paw service dog will be on hand to greet visitors, and the first 100 visitors will receive free popsicles from Sons Donuts + Pops. UAB swag and other giveaways will also be available during the event.
The event coincides with World Mental Health Day and National Depression Screening Day. Mental Illness affects one in five U.S. adults each year and online mental health screenings are a fast, free and confidential way to check for signs of mental health issues. While online screening tools are not a substitute for a consultation with a health professional, they can help someone struggling with depression, anxiety and other mental health concerns to recognize the first signs and encourage them to seek professional help.
Visit the EACC’s Online Mental Health Screenings page to explore some of the available online screens. And follow the 2024 Mental Health Resource Fair on the Campus Calendar for more details.