On May 16, 26Health celebrated Mental Health Action Day, an annual campaign started by MTV in 2021 to advocate not only for mental well-being but also for taking the necessary steps to improve it. The event, 26Unplugged, was held at the new À La Carte location on East Michigan Street. Guests were encouraged to use the time to power down smart devices, take a break and enjoy some delicious food. 

In a small section of the food hall, an assortment of freebies were available, such as stress balls, lunch boxes and cards with a guided grounding technique. One table welcomed guests to fill small glass jars with a selection of premade affirmations, which could be brought home for daily use.

(HOWELL PRODUCTIONS/COURTESY OF 26HEALTH)

“I am grateful for the love I have to give and receive,” one card said. “I appreciate the people who inspire and uplift me,” read another. Nearby, two posters were laid out for visitors to write their own affirmations and gratitudes. On one, a heartwarming sentiment was written in big green letters: “My Life Is WORTH LIVING!”

“Gratitude is one of the leading ways to cope with depression,” said Knakeesha Samuels, 26Health’s event manager. “Instead of thinking about the negative, you think about the things that you have in your glass to be grateful for, so I thought that would be a great thing to send people home with.”

A health equity nonprofit organization, 26Health seeks to eliminate the barriers to accessible health care often experienced by marginalized communities. Founded in 2011, it mainly works with members of the LGBTQ+ community, extending its services in recent years to cover care for uninsured patients who are economically disadvantaged and hold varied citizenship statuses. 

“By striving to be a safe place for the LGBTQ+ community, we inevitably became a resource for adjacent underserved communities and we are proud of that expansion,” 26Health states on 26Health.org. “This is why we say we offer ‘care for every letter.’”