Mental Wealth Fair promotes awareness, support, and connection across the community

The Fourth Annual Mental Wealth Fair, organized by Hampton City Schools’ school social work services department, took place on October 27, 2025, at the Hampton Roads Convention Center. The event witnessed an overwhelming response, with over 700 attendees and 35 vendors participating, making it a remarkable success.

 

The Mental Wealth Fair aimed to provide a vital platform for collaboration, education, and empowerment within the community. This year's fair specifically focused on supporting parents and guardians in their journey of seeking mental health services when and where needed. Attendees had the opportunity to access mental health screenings and participate in wellness sessions that covered various topics such as mindfulness, self-discovery and acceptance, fitness, depression, anxiety, and trauma. A new addition to this year’s programming was the Social Emotional Wellness Session, designed to promote growth in social-emotional learning (SEL) and enhance overall mental wealth among adults. The interactive session incorporated familiar games as engaging tools to explore the five core components of SEL: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Due to the great success of last year’s Shop Talk session, this year’s event was expanded to encourage greater participation and to provide a safe, supportive space for men to engage in open conversations about manhood and mental health.

 

“The Hampton City Schools school social work department is proud to have played a pivotal role in organizing and facilitating these sessions, which contributed to the positive impact on the community's mental well-being,” said Dr. Bruce Copeland, coordinator of the school social work department. “We extend our heartfelt thanks to all attendees, vendors, and participants who contributed to making this event an incredible success. Together, we are building a stronger, healthier community.” 

 

The school social work department continues to work diligently to support mental health initiatives within the school system. Their role involves promoting well-being, fostering positive relationships, and connecting students and families with essential mental health resources.

The Mental Wealth Fair serves as a crucial platform for raising awareness about mental health issues and reducing the stigma associated with seeking help. By providing access to screenings, education, and resources, it continues to play a significant role in improving the community's overall mental well-being.