North Simcoe Victim Services is working with a group of students from Lakehead University to host a Mental Health Fair on Tuesday.
The Nov. 12 event will be held at the Orillia Public Library in the community rooms from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. It brings several vendors together to provide local resources and support to those in need. The free event also includes light refreshments.
Kim Kneeshaw, executive director of North Simcoe Victim Services, says the event gives people more comfort to reach out for help.
"It helps to remove some of the stigma around mental health," she said. "It's a safe space."
Kneeshaw says there is a huge need in the community right now for mental health support.
"We'd really like to make those connections for people so they can get the support that they need," she said. "That's what this event is all about."
Kneeshaw says the event also provides education to the community and information about volunteer opportunities.
"We really feel that it's important to provide these types of events to the community," she said. "It helps people learn about what's going on and how they can help with what is happening in our community."
Kneeshaw says social work students from Lakehead University are helping to organize the event.
"We have a really great group of students," she said. "They are very engaged and have helped to include some of our local businesses to provide draw prizes."
Kneeshaw says it would be difficult to put on such an event without the partnership of Lakehead University.
"We have a very small staff of four people," she said. "We are really super busy, so having the help of the students is great."
Kneeshaw says she appreciates working with students because they bring new perspectives and ideas to the table.
"It's super helpful," Kneeshaw said.
Lakehead University social work student Aidan Oliver is the project manager for the event.
He says students are looking forward to the opportunity of connecting individuals to community resources.
"We are looking forward to showing that there are supports and we want to connect people to them," he said. "We are focused on having these organizations present for others."
