For more than 65 years, May has been observed as Mental Health Awareness Month, according to Mental Health America. In that spirit, the Cahaba Mental Health Center will start the month with a week dedicated to children’s mental health.

The week will include many family friendly learning opportunities such as a movie day at the Walton Theater and a fun day at Bloch Park.

“It’s important that we are trying to get the awareness out for mental illness for children,” said caseworker Martis Black. “We’re just trying to get rid of the stigma and the negativity with any individuals who could possibly have a mental illness.”

The week will begin on Sunday, May 1, with Social Media Day from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Black said Social Media Day is a time for questions to be answered on Cahaba Center’s Facebook page.

On Monday, a kick-off event will be held at the Carl C. Morgan Convention Center from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. Citizens, parents and children are invited to watch Mayor George Evans sign a proclamation declaring the week as Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week. A balloon release will immediately follow.

Tuesday will be geared more toward professionals, teachers and DHR workers, but anyone interested is invited to come. Mental health professionals will give presentations providing information on services offered and how to recognize symptoms. The presentations will be held at the Dallas County Health Department, located at Mosley Drive, from 3:30–5:30 p.m.

Citizens and families are invited out to the Walton Theater on Wednesday to watch “Inside Out,” beginning at 3:30 p.m.

“We chose that movie because its about a young girl who moves to a new location and she experiences all of the basic symptoms of illness that a lot of children go through – sadness, grief, depression, anger and things like that,” Black said.

On Thursday, Cahaba Center staff will walk the streets of downtown Selma from 1-5:30 p.m. for the community greeting.

On Friday, Fun Day at Block Park will be held from 3:30-5:30 p.m. The event will include various games for children such as kickball, moon bounces, three-man tic-tac-toe and more. Food and refreshments will be available.