18th Annual Mental Health Awareness 2026: Building Community & Connection

Join us for a free, full-day experience focused on mental health, wellness, recovery, learning, and community connection. Prince William County Community Services invites residents, families, behavioral health professionals, advocates, community partners, educators, public safety professionals, service providers, caregivers, and individuals with lived experience to the 18th Annual Mental Health Awareness event. This year’s experience has been expanded to include both a welcoming community event and a professional learning summit. Under the theme: Building Community & Connection: Supporting Mental Well-Being Together The day will bring together mental health education, community resources, lived-experience storytelling, wellness activities, recovery recognition, and opportunities to connect with local organizations and services. Whether you are seeking support, supporting someone you love, working in the behavioral health field, or helping strengthen community wellness, this event is for you. What to Expect Attendees will have opportunities to: • Connect with mental health, substance use, recovery, wellness, and community resources. • Participate in interactive wellness activities. • Attend learning sessions focused on mental health and well-being. • Hear stories of hope, resilience, and recovery. • Engage with behavioral health professionals, advocates, peers, and community partners. • Learn where to turn when they or someone they care about needs help. • Attend the free Community Celebration and Dinner. Event Schedule 9:00 a.m.– 12:00 p.m. Community Wellness Expo and Community Navigation Hub Explore community resources, meet local providers and partners, participate in wellness activities, and learn about available pathways to care and support. Planned experiences include: • Community resource tables • Lived-experience art and storytelling • Interactive wellness activities • Therapy dogs • Mindfulness and grounding experiences • Healthy snacks • Recovery and peer-support resources • Opportunities to connect directly with community organizations 12:00–1:00 p.m. Lunch and Community Connection Take time to connect with participants, speakers, exhibitors, and community partners. Additional lunch details will be shared as planning continues. 1:00–4:30 p.m. Mental Health Learning Sessions, Professional Learning Summit and Educational Breakouts Participate in educational sessions designed for both community members and professionals. Topics may include: • Youth mental health • Suicide prevention • Social media and body image • Culture and mental health • Caregiver stress and burnout • Mental Health First Aid • Peer support and recovery • Trauma, resilience, and crisis response Some sessions may offer professional-development opportunities. Final session topics, speakers, and credit information will be announced. 5:00–7:00 p.m. Voice of Recovery Honors (Evening Awards Presentation & Dinner) Community Celebration and Free Dinner The evening celebration will bring the community together for: • Welcome remarks • A featured speaker • The Voice of Recovery Honors • Entertainment and creative performances • A free community dinner • A closing reflection focused on hope and connection Registration is requested to help us plan for seating and dinner. The Voice of Recovery Honors recognize individuals, teams, and organizations whose advocacy, service, lived experience, leadership, or personal recovery journey inspires hope, reduces stigma, and strengthens mental health and substance use recovery throughout our community. We invite community members to nominate a deserving individual, peer, advocate, professional, team, or organization. Nominate a Voice of Recovery Champion Submit a nomination here: By visiting www.pwc-mhae.org/voice-of-recovery and selecting Prince William County Mental Health Awareness Event, Voice of Recovery Nomination Nomination deadline: August 21, 2026, at 5 pm Selected honorees will be recognized during the evening Community Celebration on October 7. Who Should Attend? This event is open to everyone, including: • Community residents and families • Individuals living with mental health or substance use challenges • Individuals in recovery • Caregivers and family members • Behavioral health and health care professionals • Peer recovery specialists • Mental health advocates • Community and nonprofit organizations • Educators and school professionals • Youth-serving organizations • Public safety and first-response professionals • Faith leaders • Employers and workforce leaders • Local government and community partners • Students and emerging professionals Registration Admission is free. Registration is encouraged but not required for daytime activities. Advance registration is strongly recommended for learning sessions and the free Community Celebration and Dinner. Please register each attendee separately so we can plan appropriately for seating, meals, materials, and accessibility needs. Accessibility and Accommodations Prince William County Community Services is committed to creating a welcoming and accessible experience. Please use the registration form to indicate any accommodation, interpretation, dietary, mobility, or accessibility needs. Requests should be submitted as early as possible. Stay Connected Additional information about speakers, session topics, exhibitors, wellness activities, the Voice of Recovery Honors, and the final event schedule will be announced as planning continues.