Events include a free yoga class, mindfulness activities and mental health resources on 3rd Street Promenade

Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM) in collaboration with the National Alliance of Mental Illness Westside Los Angeles (NAMI WLA) will present a series of mental wellness activities on May 1 on the Third Street Promenade as part of a "Wellness Weekend" celebrating the beginning of Mental Health Awareness month in May. Events on the Third Street Promenade are part of the ongoing month-long virtual and in-person programming presented by NAMI WLA to spread awareness of the many free resources available to everyone impacted by mental health conditions.

In-person events begin at 3 pm on Saturday, May 1 on the Third Street Promenade's Wellness Stage where fitness instructor and founder of Surf Sweat Serve Purposeful Pixie will lead a free yoga class. "Community Hour" from 4 - 5 pm features wellness activities led by mental health advocate and NAMI WLA Ambassador Britt Turpack and mindfulness coach Brenda Sarai Zuniga in addition to mental health resource tables presented by NAMI WLA, Kaiser Permanente and CalHOPE. Resource tables will be on the Promenade throughout May with crisis counselors on-site on weekends and during weekly farmer's markets. Britt Turpack and guests will also return to host Self-Care Sessions on Instagram Live from the Wellness Stage every Sunday at 1:30 pm through the duration of the month on the NAMI WLA Instagram @namiwla.

A presentation from myndstream, a music streaming service focused on harnessing the power of music for personal well-being, kicks off at 5 pm. The services' specially curated set lists for mental health will be playing throughout the day's activities. Then singer-songwriter and mental health advocate X.Ari will share her story and positive coping strategies as well as an ambient acoustic music set on the Wellness Stage to conclude the first day of Wellness Weekend.

Visitors to the Promenade can also enjoy the Healing Heart storefront art installation designed by the We Heal Projects which will be on display at 1344 Third Street through Mental Health Awareness month. The goal of the project is to illustrate the ways in which creativity plays a role in improving mental wellness. For more information on all Wellness Weekend activities and a full schedule of Mental Health Awareness Month programming presented by NAMI WLA, visit https://wellnessweekend.namila.org/.

DTSM remains committed to ensuring the health and safety of the community, visitors, and staff. Face coverings are required when visiting the Third Street Promenade and all guests are encouraged to practice physical distancing. For more information on the current health and safety guidelines, please visit downtownsm.com and follow @DTSantaMonica on Instagram and Twitter or DowntownSantaMonica on Facebook.

WHEN:
Saturday, May 1 from 3 - 6 pm

Virtual and in-person events will continue throughout May

WHERE:
Third Street Promenade, located just south of the Farmers Market on Arizona Ave.

EVENT REGISTRATION:
All events are free, but participants are encouraged to register ahead of time to ensure adequate and safe physical distancing of all attendees. For event registration visit https://wellnessweekend.namila.org/

About National Alliance on Mental Illness Westside Los Angeles (NAMI)

NAMI Westside Los Angeles (NAMI WLA) is a local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI WLA offers free education programs along with support, guidance, and hope for the growing number of Angelenos affected by mental health conditions. www.namila.org

About Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM, Inc.)

Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. is a private non-profit 501c(3) that works with the City of Santa Monica to manage services and operations in Downtown Santa Monica that promote economic stability, growth and community life within Downtown Santa Monica. DTSM, Inc. manages the Property-based Business Assessment District (PBAD) that encompasses the area bounded by Ocean Avenue (W), Wilshire Boulevard (N), Lincoln Boulevard (E) and the Santa Monica Freeway (S). For more info, please visit DowntownSM.com or follow us on Instagram and Twitter @dtsantamonica or Facebook at DowntownSantaMonica.