Redlands event offers opportunity to learn about wellness and help raise money in support of the effort

REDLANDS, California (Feb. 2, 2017)—Mental illness affects one in five adults each year and one in five youths between the ages of 13 and 18. Unfortunately, because of the stigma and discrimination surrounding poor mental health, many of those individuals don’t reach out for help.

The Alliance for Community Transformation and Wellness (ACTW) was launched in the spring of 2014 to engage community members in conversations about and action toward mental health and wellness. The community can gain awareness and show support for that effort at the upcoming Vibe, Festival of Wellness from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, at the Stauffer Science Center and Brown Amphitheatre on the University of Redlands. The inaugural event will focus on educational and wellness demonstrations, and allow participants to engage in various ways with the eight domains of wellness—emotional, spiritual, intellectual, physical, environmental, financial, occupational and social. Artisan food and local live music will also be featured. 

“Wellness is key to our functioning in life, our ability to reach our goals, connect with others and experience joy,” said ACTW Founder and University Professor Janee Both Gragg. “Most of us only pay attention to one or two domains of wellness sporadically at any given time. Most are not aware that there are eight domains that require our explicit attention. We are excited to bring a festival to Southern California that will facilitate opportunities for community members to learn more about these domains and give them some much-needed attention, while also raising money to support mental health awareness and wellness initiatives throughout the Inland Empire.”