SEP 19
Saturday • 2026
8:30 - 1pm
Workshops begin at 9
FREE
Food purchases not included
St. James UMC
​2000 E. 6th Street
Greenville, NC
WHY WE ARE GATHERING
Hope grows when we talk.
Breaking the Silence is a free community mental health festival where education, resources, conversation, and faith come together. Whether you are seeking support, learning how to care for someone you love, or simply hoping to better understand mental health, there is a place for you here.
Come as you are. Learn something helpful. Meet people who care. Leave with resources—and with hope.
You do not have to carry everything alone
PLAN YOUR VISIT
A warm welcome awaits
When you arrive, stop by the welcome table to check in, pick up the festival schedule, and get help finding workshops, community resources, and activities.
LOCATION
St. James United Methodist Church
2000 E. 6th Street, Greenville, NC 27858
DATE
Saturday, September 19 • 8:30 AM–1:00 PM
COST
Festival admission is free. Food-truck purchases are optional.
EXPLORE THE FESTIVAL
What you'll find
Practical Workshops
Clear, approachable sessions about mental health, coping skills, caregiving, and community wellbeing.
01
Community Resources
Meet local organizations and professionals who can connect you with helpful programs and services.
02
Activities & Movement
Enjoy outdoor activities, creative opportunities, movement sessions, and space to simply breathe.
03
Conversation & Hope
Connect in a welcoming environment designed to reduce stigma and remind us that no one is alone.
04
Festival Day
A simple look at the day
8:30 AM
Festival Opens
Welcome and information tables open; explore community booths and activities.
9:00 AM
Workshops Begin
A rotating schedule of educational sessions begins in the workshop classrooms
Throughout
Resources & Activities
Visit organizations, enjoy outdoor activities, view the Hope Gallery, and connect.
1:00 PM
Festival Concludes
Take resources home and keep the conversation going in our community.
LEARN AND CONNECT
Explore the workshops
Review the sessions, meet the presenters, and choose the workshops that will be most helpful to you. Additional sessions will appear here as they are confirmed.
Workshop capacity is limited. Preregistration is encouraged; walk-in seating may be available.
Grief Support
Dane Sergeant, MSSW, and Kathy Dosser • St. James UMC Grief Support Group
Suggested for: Adults, older adults, caregivers, and anyone supporting someone through loss
Grief can feel isolating, but no one has to navigate it alone. This workshop offers practical information about the grief journey, explains how support groups can help, and introduces ways to connect with others who understand loss. Participants will also learn about the long-running, faith-based Grief Support ministry at St. James UMC.
PLANNED OFFERINGS: 1 session
[TIME • ROOM] - TBD
Listen, Breathe, Move
Adrienne Steiner-Brett, PhD, MT-BC; Bhibha Das, PhD, FACSM; Arianna Thomas; and Rylee Markum • Listen, Breathe, Move Initiative at East Carolina University
Suggested for: General public, caregivers, educators, faith leaders, college students, professionals, and older adults
Experience a restorative combination of music-assisted guided breathing, gentle mindful movement, and a music-supported loving-kindness relaxation. This interactive session offers approachable practices that participants can use in everyday life to support calm, mindfulness, movement, and overall well-being. No previous yoga, mindfulness, or music experience is required.
PLANNED OFFERINGS: 1 session
[TIME • ROOM]- TBD
Music Therapy for Mental Wellness
Rebekah Spann, MT-BC; Katy Lundeen, music therapy intern; and Dexter Poindexter, music therapy intern • ECU Music Therapy Clinic
Suggested for: General public; open to all
Discover how intentional music experiences can support mental and emotional well-being. Presenters from the ECU Music Therapy Clinic will introduce practical music-based techniques that participants can try during the session and continue using at home. This approachable, interactive workshop is designed for people with or without prior musical experience.
PLANNED OFFERINGS: 1 session
[TIME • ROOM]- TBD
WORKSHOP PREREGISTRATION
Save your place.
Choose your preferred workshop during each time block. Preregistration helps us plan room capacity and gives you the best opportunity to attend the sessions you select.
01
Review the sessions
02
Choose by time block
03
Receive confirmation
Preregistration is not required. Walk-ins are welcome
Workshop preregistration is separate from general festival check-in.
RESOURCES CLOSE TO HOME
Meet our community partners
Connect with local organizations and professionals offering mental-health, behavioral-health, wellness, family-support, and community resources.
For more than 17 years, the St. James UMC Grief Support ministry has walked alongside
adults experiencing grief and loss. This faith-based group offers helpful information
about the grief journey, compassionate support, and connection with others who
understand. Visitors can learn about the ministry’s recurring 12-week support sessions
and how to participate.
Listen, Breathe, Move Initiative at East Carolina University
The Music Therapy Clinic at East Carolina University expands access to patient- and
family-centered music therapy services for people of all ages throughout Pitt County and
Eastern North Carolina. Visit the booth to learn how music therapy can support health
and wellness and to explore services available to individuals, families, and community
groups.
ECU Music Therapy Clinic
Olive Tree Family Counseling helps individuals, couples, and families find peace as they
define it. Based in New Bern, the practice offers counseling, psychiatric care, and health
and wellness services. Its team combines evidence-based, client-centered care with a
faith-informed commitment to compassion, inclusivity, growth, and service.
Is your organization interested in hosting a booth or presenting a workshop?
HELP MAKE IT HAPPEN
There is a place for you
Partner applications are reviewed based on available space and alignment with the festival’s purpose.
HELPFUL DETAILS
Frequently asked questions
Is the festival free?
Yes. Festival admission, community resources, activities, and scheduled workshops are free. Food-truck purchases are optional.
Is this only for church members?
No. Breaking the Silence is open to the entire community. You do not need to attend St. James or belong to any church.
Do I have to attend a workshop?
No. You are welcome to visit resource tables, participate in activities, and explore at your own pace.
Is this counseling or crisis care?
No. The festival provides education, connection, and resource information; it does not replace professional diagnosis, treatment, or emergency care.
Can my organization participate?
Yes. Organizations and qualified individuals may apply to host a table, propose a workshop, or support an activity. Space is limited.
Do workshops require preregistration?
Preregistration is encouraged because seating may be limited however walk-ins are welcome. Seating may be available in sessions that are not full
COME AS YOU ARE
Let’s break the silence together.
Saturday, September 19, 2026 • 8:30 AM–1:00 PM • Greenville, NC
Questions? Jared@stjconnect.org
This event is not a crisis-response or treatment service.
For immediate emotional suport call or text 988. If there is immediate danger, call 911