Cerro Gordo Public Health to Host Healthy You Resource Fair

MASON CITY – CG Public Health is working with the Iowa Department of Human Services’ Partners for Children program and the EYES Teen Pregnancy Prevention Coalition to host a Healthy You Resource Fair for teenagers, parents, and guardians. The fair will be held Thursday, February 17th, 2022, from 3pm – 6pm at Music Man Square (308 S Pennsylvania Ave, Mason City, IA). Door prizes such as a car seat, gift baskets, and gift cards will be given throughout the event and two bikes will be given as a grand prize. Names will be drawn throughout the event for door prizes; you must be present to win. Masks are strongly encouraged and will be provided to those who need them.

There will be a variety of agencies present to discuss topics such as mental health and counseling services, childcare resources, education, food and nutrition, general health, housing assistance, parenting resources, and sexual health. For a complete list of agencies who will be present for the even please visit Healthy You Agencies Fair List or scan the QR code below.

A need for improvements in mental health was discovered during positive youth development classes in local schools. Students identified COVID as having a major impact on not only their mental health, but the mental health of their parents and/or guardians. Betty Krones, Positive Youth Development Coordinator and RN stated, “I saw an increase in students interested in information on suicide prevention and mental health”. A poll conducted by Gallup found that 30% of parents said their child was experiencing harm to their emotional or mental health as a result of social distancing and school closures1.

Funding for this event is provided by Community Partnerships Protecting Children (CPPC), the Community and Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (CAPP) grant, and the Personal Responsibility Education Program Grant (PREP). For more information visit CG Public Health’s Facebook page.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or suicidal thoughts and need support, visit https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ for resources or call 1-800-273-8255