This Thursday, September 25, 2025, Newport Mental Health will host its 11th annual gala at the Newport Beach House beginning at 5:30 p.m. The event has become one of the most anticipated evenings in Newport County, drawing around 300 guests to celebrate compassion, community, and recovery. A handful of tickets remain available, offering the opportunity to take part in a night that blends elegance and energy while raising critical funds for mental health and substance use services.
Newport Mental Health’s mission is to improve the lives of those who live, work, and study in Newport County by providing the highest quality, recovery-oriented, evidence-based, and integrated care. As a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic and 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Newport Mental Health treats people of all ages and backgrounds, regardless of their ability to pay. Through more than thirty unique programs, the organization provides immediate access to care and long-term support for children, adolescents, families, and adults navigating mental illness, substance use, or life stressors. Its person-centered approach to recovery places dignity, choice, and empowerment at the center of care, ensuring every individual is treated as an equal partner in their journey.
What sets Newport Mental Health apart is its deep commitment to meeting people where they are and walking alongside them until they are ready to make change. Outreach and engagement are as essential as counseling and treatment, and the organization prioritizes building trust, fostering autonomy, and honoring the voices of those they serve. Compassion, empathy, and a true sense of community guide the work, creating a foundation where individuals are not just patients, but members of a supportive network dedicated to growth and healing.
The gala itself is as memorable as its mission. Guests begin the evening on the beachside terrace with cocktails and a silent auction while waves crash on First Beach just steps away. Dinner follows in the elegant Eventide Room, where the views of the Cliff Walk and ocean create a breathtaking backdrop for an evening of celebration. Speakers share stories of resilience and recovery, reminding everyone of the impact Newport Mental Health has across the county. A silent auction is filled with incredible opportunities, and a live auction keeps the energy high, while dessert and dancing carry the night through to 10 p.m., leaving guests with lasting memories of generosity and community connection.
This year’s presenting sponsor is the Lobby Muddy Fest, a group I am especially proud to be a part of. Our small board of friends raises money each year to benefit Newport Mental Health and, just as importantly, to change the conversation about mental health especially for young men, where the subject can still feel taboo. By bringing awareness, support, and resources into the open, the Lobby Muddy Fest helps to break down barriers and ensure that seeking help is seen as a sign of strength and checking in on your people is a priority.
For those of us who have seen firsthand the life-changing work of Newport Mental Health, this event represents more than just an evening out. As a member of the Board of Directors for Newport Mental Health and Lobby Muddy Fest, I am proud to give back to an organization that makes such an extraordinary difference in our community. Mental health affects each of us in different ways, and this gala is about finding your “why”, that personal reason to support, attend, or become more involved.A few tickets remain for Thursday’s gala, and joining the celebration is a chance to be part of something bigger than yourself: a community effort to strengthen hope, healing, and recovery in Newport County. To purchase tickets or learn more, visit the link here: https://www.newportmentalhealth.org/support-us/fundraising-events/rock-the-beach/