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"The Cultural Competency Experience"

is an informative activity that addresses multiple social crises—such as poverty and behavioral health—simultaneously through a hands-on, immersive experience. Similar to other Poverty Simulations, it allows participants to gain insight into the realities of living in poverty within a safe, nonjudgmental environment. Participants are divided into four family groups, each facing a unique pre-existing crisis. With limited financial resources, each family must navigate eight essential resource categories, making difficult decisions as a team. As they move through different stations, families encounter real-life barriers often experienced by the mentally ill and those living in poverty. Working together, they must find solutions to meet their basic survival needs. By the end of the activity, participants walk away with a deeper understanding and empathy for the challenges faced by individuals experiencing poverty and other social issues.

(Note: This activity is done in groups. Any of our four alternative discussions can be paired with this activity. This experience is In-Person Only, with No Virtual Options available.)

"Reality"

is an immersive experience that, like other Poverty Simulations, allows its participants to experience a behavioral illness and living in crisis firsthand. Within our communities, individuals living with mental illness often face overwhelming barriers to securing even the most basic resources. Despite their best efforts—meeting requirements, working hard, and doing everything asked of them—they frequently find themselves caught in an unrelenting cycle of crisis. It’s a reflection of a harsh reality that too many endure. This activity gives participants the opportunity to step into the shoes of these individuals in a safe, nonjudgmental environment. By simulating these real-life challenges, Reality fosters empathy, raises awareness, and equips participants with a deeper understanding of the struggles faced by one of society’s most vulnerable populations.

(Note: This activity is done individually instead of as a group. Any of our four alternative discussions can be paired with this activity. This experience is In-Person Only, with No Virtual Options available.)

"The Wheel of Emotions"

is a hands-on group activity designed for adolescents and young adults, focused on exploring emotional responses in everyday life. Participants are divided into teams, each representing a student facing a personal crisis while trying to navigate a typical school day. Throughout the activity, teams encounter a series of 10 life situations that can either support or challenge their student’s success. After each scenario is presented, teams spin a "feelings wheel" to determine their emotional reaction. They must then reflect on and discuss why their student might feel that way in response to the situation. The objective is to navigate all 10 scenarios while minimizing negative emotional responses. The team with the highest score and the fewest negative emotions wins. This engaging, discussion-based activity offers valuable insight into behavioral health without being overly clinical, making it especially suitable for developing minds.

(Note: This activity comes with its own discussion. This experience is In-Person Only, with No Virtual Options available.)

"The Ride Along #1 or #2"

is an immersive, in-person team-building activity centered around crisis intervention and public safety. Participants are divided into teams of three and assigned a case study to act out, with each team member taking on a role: Law Enforcement Officer, Behavioral Clinician, or Citizen in Crisis. Together, they read and perform the scenario aloud, one scene at a time. The experience is structured into seven rounds, each corresponding to one of the seven steps of crisis intervention. After each round, I lead a brief debrief to answer questions and guide reflection before continuing to the next phase of the scenario. This cycle continues until the entire case study is completed.

Two different case studies are available, each offering a unique but similarly structured experience. While neither scenario is explicit, one features more mature content than the other.

(Note: This activity comes with its own discussion. This experience is In-Person Only, with No Virtual Options available.)

"Understanding Behavioral Health"

is an interactive learning experience designed to explore common behavioral health diagnoses and challenge the often inaccurate portrayals seen in media and news. The activity is divided into 10 structured rounds, each focusing on a different diagnosis. During each round, participants engage in group discussions, ask questions, and review symptoms associated with that particular condition. This format encourages a deeper understanding through repetition and active participation. Once all diagnoses have been covered, the group is split into two teams for a friendly review competition to reinforce what they've learned. While only one team may win, everyone gains valuable insight into behavioral science and mental health. This activity serves as an accessible and informative tool for learning about behavioral health from a clinical and diagnostic perspective. Though the discussions are thoughtfully mature, the format remains similar to health education videos shown in high school.

(Note: This activity comes with its own discussion. This experience can be provided both In-Person and Virtually.)

"The Emojis Game"

is a collaborative activity designed to support individuals who find it challenging to identify or express their emotions verbally. In this interactive exercise, participants explore feelings by using emojis as visual representations of different emotions experienced in life. At the start, each participant receives a sheet featuring a variety of emoji faces, along with a list of emotional words. The task is to match each word to the emoji that best represents it. Once everyone completes their matches, the correct answers are revealed one by one, prompting open discussion about each emotion and its relevance to personal experiences. The participant with the most accurate matches wins a small prize. This engaging and accessible activity serves as a valuable tool for emotional education, encouraging self-awareness and meaningful group dialogue.

(Note: This activity comes with its own discussion. This experience can be provided both In-Person and Virtually.)

"The Crossroads Activity"

is an interactive group experience featuring 20 tailored versions for different professions and roles, including Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters, First Responders, EMTs, K–12 and College Educators, CollegeStudent, High School Students, School Counselors, Leaders/Managers, Call Center Workers, Coaches, Doctors, Nurses, Social Workers, Therapists, Retail and Non-Profit Workers, Clergy, and Librarians. Each version is designed to spark open conversations and help reduce the stigma surrounding behavioral health. In this activity, participants work together as a team to guide a fictional character through the challenges of surviving a month in crisis. Though the character is fictional, the events and stressors they face are based on real-life experiences. The group must make key decisions affecting the character’s emotional and mental well-being, highlighting the impact of stress and the importance of healthy coping strategies. This powerful activity is an ideal tool for exploring behavioral health in a meaningful and engaging way. 

(Note: This activity comes with its own discussion and provides a mental health data report after the event. This experience can be provided both In-Person and Virtually.)

"Life on the Ward"

A Collection of Short Stories

 In this exercise, David reads aloud three short stories from his book Life on the Ward: A Collection of Short Stories. The book features 40 narratives that capture significant moments from his experiences with mental health and hospitalization for Schizoaffective Disorder. Prior to the event, David will provide a list of available stories related to his journey. From this list, you will select three stories that you feel would resonate most with your group. David will then read the chosen stories aloud and lead an interactive group discussion to address any questions or reflections. While the activity is suitable for most groups, please note that some stories contain mature themes and may not be appropriate for children. 

(Note: Due to the length of this experience, the interactive discussion does not include an activity. This experience can be provided both In-Person and Virtually.)

"Restoring the Light"

In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing world, life can often feel unpredictable and overwhelming. Despite our best efforts to stay grounded and perform at our best, unexpected challenges seem to constantly disrupt our sense of stability. These ongoing stressors—often outside of our control—can leave behind emotional and mental strain, forcing us to pick up the pieces alone. Over time, repeated exposure to such difficulties can trigger deeper personal crises, affecting not just our mood, but also our jobs, relationships, and overall well-being. Unchecked stress can slowly erode our character, leaving us feeling drained, disengaged, and disconnected from ourselves and others. It’s no surprise that many organizations struggle to find individuals who feel equipped to show up fully—because so many of us are running on empty. When negativity becomes the norm, it clouds our vision and makes it hard to function in a way that serves either our own growth or the needs of those around us. That’s why Belmont Behavioral C.C.E. created Restoring the Light—a guided wellness exercise designed to help individuals reconnect with their inner calm and resilience. We believe that everyone carries a light within them, a light meant to shine and inspire. But life’s pressures often dim that light, making it hard to feel hopeful or empowered. Through positive affirmations and intentional deep breathing, Restoring the Light helps participants reclaim their inner peace, regardless of the chaos around them. While we may not be able to control life’s unpredictability, we can control how we respond. This activity is a reminder that it’s possible to remain calm, focused, and strong—even in difficult moments. To learn how Restoring the Light can support your group’s mental well-being and boost productivity, contact us today.

(Note: This in-person experience includes three video options tailored for different visual preferences, along with an "Audio Only" version for those sensitive to visual stimuli. It works best as a closing activity and pairs especially well with The Crossroads Activity. This experience is In-Person Only, with No Virtual Options available.)