Gateway CSB to host mental health awareness car show at Tanger Outlets
In an effort to engage more people in conversations about mental health, Gateway Community Service Board is hosting its third annual Break the Stigma car show on Oct. 21.
The show is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Tanger Outlets in Pooler, and is open to the public
Gateway CSB is a safety net organization contracted with the state and the department of behavioral health and developmental disabilities. The board provides mental health, intellectual developmental disability, behavioral health, mobility use and substance use services to residents of Chatham County. Gateway CSB not only serves Chatham County, but eight other counties in the coastal region, including Effingham and Camden counties.
"We wanted to step out the traditional box of a mental health symposium and put on this car show," said Phylicia Anderson, director of child and adolescent programs and outreach for Gateway CSB. "We have wonderful vendors there that will be promoting mental health awareness and the services they provide. A lot of people come out to see the cars and they get to hear great information about mental health and the support we have here in the community."
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Jessica Matthews, the youth to adult program manager for Gateway CSB, said that she and some community members came up with the idea for it, and she's been the primary planner of the event along with other colleagues in the mental health and car scene.
"The very first year we hosted this, we had a couple of speakers got up and just talked about their mental health, and what talking to someone has done for them," Matthews said. "And a couple of people at the car show actually came up and shared that what the speakers said had really resonated with them."
Usually, Matthew said, they wouldn't attend a convention and hear about that stuff but with the show, they were given a different way to engage in information about how and when to get help.
Matthew also wanted to highlight the sponsors for the year, Chatham County, Molina Healthcare, Coastal Harbor Health Systems and DJ Orchid, who is coming to DJ the show live.
The show will feature more than 100 vehicles. There will be food trucks and contests for trophies with categories such as Best in Show, Best Classic Car, People's Choice, Kid's Choice and more.
Destini Ambus is the general assignment reporter for Chatham County municipalities for Savannah Morning News. You can reach her at dambus@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Gateway CSB to hold mental health awareness car show at Tanger Outlets
