May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and on May 3 Sunshine From Darkness (SFD) is hosting the Step Into the Light Mental Health Summit. This free event, open to the public, will explore various mental health topics such as anxiety, depression and generational trauma. Attendees will have the chance to learn new coping strategies, discover treatments and connect with experts and community resources.

Sunshine from Darkness Executive Director, Marlene Hauck, explains that people in need of mental health services often don't know where to get help, even though resources are available. To address this, the organization developed a new concept in 2023 to better assist the community. They decided to focus on trauma and other related issues, and they invited local and national speakers to share their mental health journeys and discuss topics that are not normally addressed or understood.

“We also felt it was really important to add an interactive component,” says Hauck. “It's one thing to go to a workshop and listen to someone talk, but having people participate in an experience is completely different. So we decided to add neurofeedback, mindfulness, music therapy and different forms of mental health services because some people are opposed to talk therapy or they're not really comfortable with it.”

The summit aims to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and promote mental health wellness. It offers a safe and welcoming environment for clients, clinicians, parents, advocates and anyone interested in mental health. By providing access to valuable resources and fostering collaboration, the event helps attendees build a more supportive community.

The event is made possible through the generous support of sponsors, volunteers and community partners, who help further the cause of mental health wellness and resilience.

Step Into the Light; A Mental Health Summit takes place Saturday, May 3, 2025 from 8am-2pm at The Harvest House Campus, 3650 17th Street, Sarasota.

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