May was declared Mental Health Awareness Month in 1949, and every year since then the month has been used nationally to call attention to mental health problems, issues and resources.

This year, in May 2025, Guilford County is using the month to host two community mental health resource fairs. The county also has some big projects underway meant to address mental health and behavioral health problems faced by county residents in various targeted groups.

The May resource fairs have the goals of “promoting mental wellness, connecting individuals with support services, and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health and substance misuse.”

The county’s resource fairs are being held in partnership with the High Point Police Department, Mental Health Associates of the Triad, NAMI Guilford, and RHA Health Services.

Guilford County will host a “Turning Awareness into Action: Mental Health Resource Fair” on Saturday, May 17 at First Presbyterian Church in High Point from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. That event will be held in the church’s parking lot at 918 N. Main St. in High Point.

A second fair with the same name will be held on Friday, May 30, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. That one will be at the Guilford County Behavioral Health Center in Greensboro. It will take place in the building’s parking lot at 931 Third St. in Greensboro.

The two fairs, which are now running in their fourth consecutive year, are meant to get the word out to people regarding how county-based programs and other mental support services available in Guilford County can help those who are facing mental health issues as well as to community organizations that help address the problem.

Both events will offer attendees the chance to connect with local mental health service providers and organizations – all while enjoying family-friendly activities that include music, games and food trucks.

Also, Guilford County mental health services workers will distribute newly updated Mental Health Resources Pocket Guides to health professionals and attendees at both events.

To further support residents beyond the temporary May events, Guilford County has also relaunched its Mental Health Resources webpage, which can be found at guilfordcountync.gov/mental-health.

The site features frequently updated information on mental and behavioral health services offered by Guilford County and other area organizations.

Guilford County has two major mental health projects underway right now. For one, the county is establishing the Lees Chapel Residential Recovery Center in Greensboro. That’s part of an overall strategy to offer support, treatment, and resources to “people engaging in recovery services by increasing access to mid- and long-term residential recovery services for the entire community.”

 That center is at 1411 Lees Chapel Road in Greensboro and, at the site, the county will offer residential recovery services – in a 24/7 group living environment – for adults facing a variety of substance abuse issues.

The center on Lees Chapel Road will also offer therapeutic intervention, physical and mental health education, vocational training and individual services.

The county is also working on another facility meant to help those with mental and behavioral issues: The Women with Children Recovery Center.

The center, which will be located on 5209 W. Wendover Ave near Gibson Park in High Point, is meant to increase access to recovery services by providing mid- and long-term residential recovery services to the entire community.

According to information from the county, “There are currently limited programs in Guilford County that provide residential services for pregnant or parenting women. When our residents must travel outside of the county to receive this service, it creates significant challenges including:

Removal from natural support systems

Transportation barriers to get to service location

Relocation of children from their school and friends

Discharge from service into an unfamiliar community.

The need is further shown through our foster care and in-home service population.”

In 2022, according to county statistics, 69 children entered foster care due to substance abuse in the household and 18 of those children were under the age of one.

The same year, the single mother category represented just over 50 percent of families entering foster care. For single mother households entering foster care due to substance abuse there was an average of 1.7 children per household.

Also in 2022, 52 children were involved in In-Home Services due to substance abuse with 28 of those kids between the ages of 0 to 5.

Right now, the site is being used as the Guilford Residential Treatment Facility, offering residential recovery for individual adults.

The coming services will include 24-hour residential substance misuse recovery that’s specifically tailored toward pregnant women and women with dependent children in their care.

About