The Anchor & The Sail
When: Thursday, May 14, 2026 12:00PM-3:30PMWhere: Stewarts Boathouse at Fairmount Park
Crisis inmediata
If you or someone you care about is in emotional distress or crisis and needs immediate help, call the Helpline at 951-686-HELP anytime to speak with trained professionals confidentially and for free. They can assist you in accessing mental health services in Riverside County. The National Crisis line is also available, call or text 988 24/7. If emergency medical care is needed, call 9-1-1 or go to the emergency room of the nearest hospital.
Atención urgente de salud mental
If you are having a mental health crisis, and need counseling and nursing, or psychiatric medications, you can call or walk into a Riverside County 24/7 Mental Health Urgent Care location (locations and more info available here). Whether you are in crisis or just need someone to talk to, all services are voluntary and do not require an appointment, open 24/7, and available to all regardless of insurance or ability to pay.
Join us for a special Mental Health Month event on May 14!
How you’re feeling — within your thoughts, emotions, and relationships — is important. Mental Health Month in May recognizes this! The same way you care for your heart, muscles, and blood sugar, you should also care for your mental health. This month and every month.
The ingredients of mental and emotional wellness are simple and low-cost: rest, movement, fresh air, nourishing food, and connection.
Here are a few ways to care for your mental wellness in your everyday life. Share them with people you care about, too:
- Step outside for a few minutes. Look at the sky, stretch, breathe, feel the air.
- Limit endless scrolling on your phone.
- Rest when you’re tired, seriously.
- Try small grounding rituals: morning coffee or tea in silence, lighting a candle, journaling, or saying a short prayer or affirmation to start or end your day.
- Text a friend or family member just to say hey and check in on them.
And be sure to join us for our free, family-friendly Mental Health Month event on Thursday, May 14, The Anchor & The Sail!
Event Details
The Anchor & The Sail
When: Thursday, May 14 12:00PM–3:30PM
Where: Stewarts Boathouse at Fairmount Park
You’re invited to The Anchor & The Sail! We’re celebrating the journey of recovery and wellness together.
This event is part of the The Art of Wellness: Mental Health Awareness Fair happening throughout Fairmount Park. The fair will feature free food, entertainment, guest speakers, and more.
Make your way through the park to Stewarts Boathouse for The Anchor & The Sail, and take part in raffles, a scavenger hunt, and community conversations about mental health, recovery from substance use, and support systems.
- The anchor means stability: nurturing yourself, grounding yourself in your culture, and spiritual wellness. Being steady when the weather gets rough.
- The sail means momentum: neighbors advocating for each other, sharing recovery stories, and family support. Being able to catch the wind and move forward!
Event Schedule
Opening the Harbor
Welcome ceremony, scavenger hunt and Mental Health FAQs Presentation.
The Talking Circle
Presenter: Sean Milanovich (Native American Cultural Competency Liaison)
A communal discussion focused on cultural competency and finding stability in shared truth.
Opportunity Drawing #1: The Anchor Prize
Drawing for attendees of the opening sessions.
Hoisting the Sail: Normalizing Recovery
Presenters: Ty Peterson (Behavioral Health Specialist IV, Riverside University Health System-Behavioral Health)
After overcoming years of substance use and personal hardship, Ty Peterson found recovery through the support and resources of Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health. Today, he works for the same organization that helped change his life, sharing his journey of recovery, resilience, and hope to inspire others.
Opportunity Drawing #2: The Momentum Prize
Drawing for attendees of the previous session.
The Resilient Hull: Strength in Recovery
Presenter: Desmond Young (Riverside Recovery Resources)
A personal story of overcoming drug addiction, navigating recovery, and using tools like anger management to maintain a stable life.
Opportunity Drawing #3: The Strength Prize
Drawing for attendees of the previous session.
The Family Compass: Advocacy & Support
Presenters: Family Advocates & Parent Partner Program
A back-to-back guide on whole-family guidance. Learning how to navigate systems of support and wrapping up the family unit in available resources.
Charting the Course of the Grand Voyage: Scavenger Hunt
Attendees who participated and went outside to the May Is Mental Health Month RUHS Resource Fair to gather “stamps” from the resource tables will now be presented with their raffle opportunity.
We’d love to see you there!
Recursos:
CARES Line – Community Access, Referral, Evaluation & Support
A 24/7 support line to connect Riverside County residents with behavioral health services. The Community Access, Referral, Evaluation and Support line (CARES Line) is available 24 hours Call (800) 499-3008 for screening and linkage to both Mental Health and Substance Use programs. Calls are answered by compassionate trained staff who can provide information and referral in English and Spanish.
Riverside University Health System – Children’s Behavioral Health
The county’s public mental health service for youth. Clinics offer therapy, psychiatry, and case management for children and adolescents with serious emotional or behavioral challenges. Call the 24/7 CARES Line at (800) 499-3008 for a free, confidential assessment and referrals. Any child or teen up to age 17 facing mental health issues can receive services.
ruhealth.org/behavioral-health/children-services
Riverside County TAY Drop-In Centers
Three Transitional Age Youth (TAY) Centers in Riverside County provide free drop-in support for older youth. These are safe, welcoming spaces for young people ages 16–25 who are facing mental health or substance-use challenges. The TAY Centers (locations in Riverside, Perris, and La Quinta) offer onsite counseling, peer support groups, life-skills workshops, arts and recreation, and basic needs assistance. For info call the Riverside “Stepping Stones” TAY Center at (951) 955-9800.
ruhealth.org
“What’s Up Safehouse” Crisis Text Line
24/7 anonymous texting service for youth in Riverside County to reach a licensed mental health professional via text. Young people can get immediate support for issues like anxiety, depression, school or peer pressure, LGBTQ+ struggles, suicidal thoughts, bullying, or any problem causing them distress. Text “SHHELP” to 800-561-6944 for instant support and resource referrals.
operationsafehouse.org
Friday Night Live
Friday Night Live is a youth oriented program catered to young people in the Riverside area. This organization provides activities and entertainment that promote an anti-drug, anti-drinking message to youth in the community. Call (951) 782-5000.
Located at:
23119 Cottonwood Ave.
Bldg A-100
Moreno Valley, CA 92503
fridaynightlive.tcoe.org
NAMI Riverside County (Local Chapters)
Several local chapters of the National Alliance on Mental Illness provide free peer-led support and education for families. NAMI Western Riverside (951-369-1913) serves the Riverside/Moreno Valley/Corona area. NAMI Temecula Valley (951-672-2089) serves the Temecula/Murrieta region. NAMI Coachella Valley (442-268-7000) serves desert cities (Palm Springs, Indio, etc.), and NAMI Mt. San Jacinto (951-765-1850) serves Hemet/San Jacinto and surrounding areas.
Los 5 primeros del condado de Riverside
First 5 Riverside County operates the Family Resource Centers in partnership with the Department of Public Social Services. These centers provide direct services and service referrals to strengthen the success and well-being of families and communities in Riverside County.
rccfc.org/family-resource-centers
TakemyHand
TakemyHand™ Live Peer Chat is an innovative technology solution born from the Help@Hand Riverside Program. It is a Peer-to-Peer live chat interface using the internet, where Live Peer Operators engage with community members in real-time conversations about emotional wellness and help chat visitors build resiliency when life is difficult. TakemyHand™ utilizes the practice of mutual Peer-to-Peer supportive relationships that are welcoming and inclusive. The Peer Operators have lived experiences and are Certified Peer Support Specialists who explore the recovery process for those who may struggle with emotional difficulties and/or substance use challenges. TakemyHand™ Peer Chat Hours are Monday through Thursday from 8AM to 5PM and Fridays from 8AM to 4PM.
takemyhand.co