The Monarch Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) will host a free Wellness Drop-In 2021, a whole-health care celebration, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 6 at 350 Pee Dee Ave., Albemarle. The event will be outside of Monarch’s corporate offices. 

During the event, social distancing and face masks are required for the safety of attendees and the agency staff. Informative mental and health care resources and community representatives will be available. Drawing for prizes and giveaways will also highlight the event.

As the event host, Monarch’s CCBHC will provide information such as mental health and general wellness screenings. CCBHC targeted case managers, who assist with identifying and coordinating resources for persons supported, will be on hand to answer questions. 

Tours of the CCBHC’s Peer Recovery Center, home to group therapy, veterans, parenting and a variety of community meetings, will be provided to anyone interested. Wellness journals and Narcan, a medication used to counter the effects of opioid overdose, will be available. 

CCBHC Community Outreach Specialist Jamise Dieme, BSW, QP, who is coordinating the event, explained that the free event is a relaxed, fun way for the community to find out about mental and health care community resources available and speak with organization representatives who will attend the event. 

“We are thrilled to be able to host this event with our community partners and offer valuable whole-health care focused information useful to individuals and families,” she said. 

Additional community agencies that will be in attendance include:

• Goshen Medical Services with the agency’s mobile bus onsite presenting a variety of information and screenings. The CCBHC, which offers mental health and substance use disorder services and community resource connections, is partnering with Goshen Medical Services with care providers on-site 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays beginning April 21.
• Stanly Community Christian Ministry presenting recipes and nutrition information on healthy ways to cook with food provided through the government supplements.  
• Piedmont Health Services will be onsite offering free, confidential testing for Hepatitis C, Syphilis and HIV. 
• Grace Place Soul Food, a faith-based organization, will be promoting community outreach including meals and referrals to other services. 
• Uwharrie Harm Reduction Initiative will be stationed and presenting information about the agency’s syringe and harm reduction program.

• Genoa Pharmacy will be available with health care and prescription information available. 
• Stanly County EMS personnel will provide information on NARCAN education and distribution.