Med Hat Public Library hosting mental health fair

By Medicine Hat News on May 9, 2023.

Medicine Hat Public Library and community partners are hosting a public mental health fair Saturday afternoon, in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month.

The fair, which will be held in various areas of the library, will feature an array of free activities and education opportunities geared towards all ages.

To kick things off, attendees are invited to join in a Mental Health Literary for Parents and Caregivers information session, which beings 1 p.m. in the library theatre. The drop-in session aims to educate parents and caregivers on how to detect mental health concerns in children and youth, as well as how to address such.

Following the session at 2 p.m. attendees may choose to take part in various activities set up throughout the library.

Attendees wishing to continue learning about youth mental health are welcomed to visit Honor Currie Room, where library staff will be talking about MHPL’s Self-Care Saturday, a free, weekly mental health wellness program open to tweens aged 10-12. Registration is required for this session. Registration can be completed online at mhpl.shortgrass.ca.

Meanwhile, attendees seeking information about mental health of all ages are encouraged to visit the lower-level hall Community Showcase and connect with local mental health organization representatives.

Attendees are also invited to drop-in one of two wellness activities; a mindful art session taking place in the Legion Room or a lighthearted giant board game play session being held in the elevator atrium.

At 3 p.m., attendees are invited to return to the theatre for a presentation on Our Collective Journey, which will touch on the services the organization provides, as well as the impact it has in Medicine Hat.

Also at 3 p.m., is the Reconnecting to Play play session, in which attendees learn about the importance of play in mental health and well-being. Registration is required for this session, and can be completed online.

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