Recognizing the frustrations in access to mental health care and the lack of information about what resources were available, Pennsylvania State Representative Kristine Howard began holding the Mental Health Fair in 2021. She noticed the urgent need for mental health resources and education, which had only been exacerbated by the pandemic. Many people were turning to her office for help finding care for their loved ones, and it was a natural decision to hold a Mental Health Fair to help inform the public about what resources were available. 

This year, Representative Howard and the Chester County Library will co-host a Mental Health Fair on Thursday, Sept. 8 from 3 PM to 5 PM in the library’s Struble Room. Visitors can connect with resources from several local agencies and listen to local experts talk about the current condition of mental health in Chester County. Registration is not required. 

 Speakers at the fair will include: 

• Kristen de Marco, Executive Director of Gateway Horseworks 
• Colleen Drake, Assistant Director of Business Development at Belmont Behavioral Hospital 
• Gerry Gonzalez, Community Relations Representative at Child Guidance Resource Centers 
• Leslie Holt, Co-Founder, and CEO of A Child’s Light 
• Michael Ivers, EMS Operations Chief for Chester County Emergency Response 
• Kate Lannan, Community Services Director at A Haven 
• Katie McGrath, Director of Outreach, and Olivia Kennedy, Outreach Liaison, at Sanare Today 
• Deborah Willett, Program Coordinator of GRANDFamily Connections of Chester County at Coatesville Center for Community Health 

As an accessible community hub and advocate of circulating health literacy within the community, the Chester County Library is committed to helping connect the community with local mental health resources available to them.

The Chester County Library is hoping to extend a lifeline to its neighbors and also demonstrate that they are an inclusive resource for all community needs. This event will give the community at large an opportunity to have open conversations without judgment and thereby also help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.

For more information please visit the website or contact the Chester County Library Reference Desk at 610-344-5957.