The Western Tidewater Community Services Board will have its annual wellness event this Saturday at Constant’s Wharf Park, 110 E. Constance Road.

“It’s the annual mental health awareness day,” said Dr. Carletta Perry, supervisor of wellness and prevention services at Western Tidewater Community Services Board.

Perry is also the guest speaker for the event, which is free to attend and will last from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“I’m going to be speaking on empowering people and encouraging them to be healthier,” Perry said. “We’re making people aware of resources in the community and all that is available to them, no matter their socioeconomic status.”

Resources available at the event will aid people in mental health awareness and prevention and substance abuse prevention and recovery.

“It’s just a promotion of quality of life and good mental health,” Perry said. “No matter what your situation is, we want to focus on prevention. Prevention is key; prevention is for everyone; prevention is what we want everyone to have before they need intervention.”

“It’s educating the community and letting them know where they can go if they’re having certain problems,” said Teko Wynder, a prevention specialist with the community services board.

Activities at the event will include fun stuff for the kids, including inflatables, a DJ, free healthy food and a three-point shootout contest.

The event is open to all.

“We want everyone to come,” Perry said. “Wellness doesn’t have to happen on the couch. It can be a three-point shootout. It’s raising your mental health and lowering your depression.”

The community services board serves people in Suffolk, Franklin and Smithfield.

Call 408-6056 for more information.