Mental Health Association hosts Don’t Worry, Be Happy event

Today, the Mental Health Association hosted its 2022 Don’t Worry, Be Happy event.

Guests decked out in their favorite sports gear entered the Biloxi Civic Center to help raise funds and awareness for mental health.

The event began with a live mixology taste test competition outside in the halls. Guests then entered the main room where guests were able to place bids on silent auctions and taste a variety of foods from different local spots.

The association honored several guests at the event including Representative Kevin Felsher who is this year’s Annette O’Keefe Humanitarian Award recipient.

Eight community honorees presented a live auction as well.  Mental Health Association Board Member Loyal Owness said, “I think the most important thing out of this is to recognize that we need to eliminate the stigma around mental health. That we all deal with it, we all work with it, and it’s in our everyday lives.”

Mental Health Association Executive Director Kay Daneault said, “And it sort of opens the conversation. It makes people more comfortable saying maybe I need to get some help to and that is what it’s all about.”

Money raised at the event goes towards funding several of the association’s centers as well as community outreach programs.