Introduction
On Tuesday, the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce hosted its first-ever Mental Health and Wellness expo. Almost 40 vendors took over Country Celebrations in Sioux City. The venue was filled with families and individuals alike, with something for everyone.
Why Was the Expo Held?
Chair of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce, Mandy Graham, explained, “So many people have needs or want information that runs the gamut. Whether it’s an adult who is dealing with depression, burnout, anxiety, or loneliness, or kids that are dealing with the competition of activities, or they are feeling isolated or bullied, or at risk for addiction of some sort. We wanted all resources to be accessible in one place.”
The event comes at the tail end of mental health awareness month in May, and at a time when many parts of our region are feeling strain and stress.
Impact and Future Plans
Graham spearheaded the evening’s event, saying it’s all worth it if even just one person connects with the resources they need. This is one of the first times these organizations have gotten together on this level, something they hope to bring back to the community after seeing a need with people attending and getting the resources.
Community Response
“After everything that has happened lately, I think we can see this now people just need to get out and about and see the services that are offered because it’s not always spoken about especially the topic of mental health so it’s really cool to see the community coming together,” said Seasons Behavioral Health, Outreach and Education Coordinator, Isabel De Kam.
Activities and Engagement
Each organization brings something new to the table when it comes to conversations on mental health. Other activities included bracelet making, flower picking, a book walk, games for the kids, and food.
Source: KTIV
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