On Thursday, Aug. 4 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM,  the Henrietta Hankin Branch Library will continue its partnership with PBS Books and WETA by presenting a screener and discussion of the recently aired Ken Burns documentary Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness. 

This documentary focuses on the mental health crisis among youth in America.  It features first-person accounts from more than 20 young people, ranging in age from 11 to 27, who live with mental health conditions, as well as their parents, teachers, friends,  healthcare providers, and independent mental health experts. 

The film presents an unvarnished window into daily life with mental health challenges, from seemingly insurmountable obstacles to stories of hope and resilience. Through the experiences of these young people, the film confronts the issues of stigma, discrimination, awareness, and silence. This helps advance a shift in the public perception of mental health issues today. 

A panel consisting of local mental health specialists and representatives from groups that provide mental health services in the area will lead a discussion after the 30-minute screener. The panel will include: 

• Janet Edgette: Psychologist in private practice specializing in child and adolescent mental health and parenting support/coaching; 
• Lindsay Meehan Mayo: Certified Peer Support Specialist for Peer Support and Teen Talk Lines for Chester and Montgomery Counties; 
• Amanda Blue: Outreach Manager and Director of Mental Health First Aid Program for the College of Health Sciences at West Chester University, and Chair of the Chester County Suicide Prevention Task Force; 
• Carol Rothera: Intervention counselor for 17 years and Supervisor for Student Services in the West Chester Area School District. 

Panelists will answer questions on local community resources as well as offer their own takes on issues confronted in the film. 

The library invites teens, parents, and community members to come in to participate in this important conversation.  Anyone who would like to view the full documentary in advance of the event may stream it for free on all station-branded PBS platforms, including PBS.org through July 25. 

The program will take place in person in the Annex of the library.  Additionally, pizza and light refreshments will be provided.  To register, please visit here.

This event supports PA Forward Health and Civic and Social Literacies.