Mental health struggles for Black Americans often go overlooked, according to the Rev. Vincent Ponder of Community Baptist Church in the Lincoln Beach section of Upper Burrell.

It’s why he wants to bring more resources, awareness and education to his community.

Community Revitalization Mission of Service, a Lincoln Beach-based nonprofit, will host a Juneteenth observation Saturday which will act as a starting point for Ponder’s efforts, he said.

At the event, residents can obtain information on how and where to find psychologists and therapists, he said.

“Our mission is to help people who are going through emotional stress, anxiety, confusion and trying to get them to understand that there is help available to the church,” Ponder said. “I’m trying to set up a format where they can know where to go and who to get in contact with.”

Community Revitalization Mission of Service was founded earlier this year by current and former residents of the Lincoln Beach neighborhood to improve quality of life, health, environment and economic opportunities for the area.

Juneteenth marks the day when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, in 1865 to free all people who were enslaved. Their arrival in Texas was two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, which declared that all people enslaved in Confederate states were forever free. It was a defining moment that led to the end of slavery, according to History.com.

“It’s a day of recognizing freedom to be your own person,” Ponder said. “I picked Juneteenth because that’s a starting point of really being free.”

The event will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Clements’ Field in Lincoln Beach.

Ponder said he is partnering with the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) FaithNet, an interfaith network that works to introduce congregations with mental health resources, to connect people with professional help through UPMC and Allegheny Health Network.

To further his efforts, Ponder said he’ll be attending the Black Mental Health Summit hosted by NAMI later this month.

“No matter what community you live in — a predominant black community or a predominant white community — (we) can try to help and work together as a team to help those who are of faith find strength and recovery,” he said.

In tandem with the event offering mental health services, the nonprofit community group will also be hosting a family color run and a roller skating party Saturday.

The color run starts at 43 Lincoln Blvd. in Upper Burrell at 8 a.m. and will lead runners to the main Juneteenth celebration.

The roller skating party, to celebrate Black joy and history, will be at the Fox Hotel parking lot from noon to 3 p.m. in Lincoln Beach.

If you go

Who: Community Revitalization Mission of Service

What: Juneteenth celebration

Where: 469 Davis Blvd., Upper Burrell

When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., June 20