On Saturday, July 8, Macon Mental Health Matters (MMHM) brought its monthly Pop-Up Gym to the South Bibb Recreation Center for the first time. This wasn’t the usual gym either, as there were more organizations who joined to bring opportunities for the entire family.  

There was yoga, a drum circle, meditation, free food, free access to health care for both humans and their pets, and a car show provided by several car clubs in the area. District 7 Commissioner Bill Howell joined the fun by bringing his Saturday Morning Breakfast Club to the Center to serve a free breakfast for kids and their families. 

“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and the Breakfast Club gives us an opportunity to feed many who may not typically be able to have breakfast on the weekends,” said Commissioner Howell. “Part of having healthy mental health, is knowing you’re going to have your next meal. It was truly a joy to see how excited and happy everyone was.”  

“It was an amazing event! The Pop-Up at South Bibb Recreation Center was a great example of what true collaboration looks like,” said MMHM Coordinator Andrea Cooke. “Community members from all over the county were able to access stigma-free mental health services and also get so many other wrap around services for themselves and their pets too.” 

MMHM has been holding Pop-Up Gyms throughout the community since 2021. They happen every second Saturday of the month, rain or shine. The next one will be Saturday, September 9, at Memorial Park. You can learn more about MMHM and other opportunities by following its Facebook page or visiting its website.