New Support Group Launches in Hayesville to Help Families Navigate Children’s Mental Health Challenges

Hayesville, N.C. — Families caring for children with mental health challenges now have a new local resource. A community support group called Daily Mental Challenges is launching this month in Hayesville to provide parents, grandparents, and caregivers with a safe space to share experiences, gain support, and access helpful information.

The group is designed to assist families managing conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, autism, depression, oppositional defiant disorder, and social anxiety. Organizers emphasize that no caregiver should feel alone. Meetings will welcome parents, grandparents, foster parents, and other primary caregivers from Hayesville and surrounding counties.

Founder Kristi Bales

Each gathering will include open discussions, peer support, coping strategies for daily stress, and information sessions. Occasional guest speakers are also planned to provide further insight and guidance. According to organizers, rural families often face limited access to specialized services, and this new initiative aims to bridge that gap by building a local network of mutual aid and shared knowledge.

Meetings will be held regularly at a local community location, with options for both in-person attendance and future virtual participation to accommodate families who cannot travel. Community members interested in joining or learning more are encouraged to contact the organizers for details on meeting times, locations, and upcoming topics.

As one local grandparent shared, “Sometimes you just need to sit in a room where nobody has to explain why this is hard — because everyone already understands.”

The group was founded by Kristi Bailes, who hopes the initiative will foster connection and understanding among caregivers. Daily Mental Challenges can be followed on Facebook and Nextdoor for updates. For more information, email dailymentalchallenges@gmail.com.