Oregon City’s Youth Advisory Commission is hosting a mental health fair Oct 7 aimed at helping connect the city’s youth with available services in the community.

The Youth Advisory Commission was created in March of this year. The intent was to create a cohort of students to learn about their community and to foster the next generation of leaders. The group was also tasked to devise and complete a community service project each year. Citing the many challenges youth face in today’s post pandemic world, the group overwhelmingly supported the idea of creating the mental health fair.

“Youth today face more hardships and challenges than ever,” said Youth Advisory Commission Chair Bailey Brown. “Between pressure to succeed in school, concern about future job and housing opportunities not to mention the lasting impacts of the pandemic, we felt it was important to make sure our peers and everyone else in Oregon City know about their options, and know they don’t have to be in this alone.”

Happening Oct 7 at the Pioneer Center, the fair will have representatives and information from nearly a dozen agencies, non profits and other organizations that provide assistance for people needing mental health services. 

Organizations that will be on hand include the National Alliance on Mental Illness Clackamas, the Mary Rose Foundation, Children’s Center, Oregon City Together, National University of Natural Medicine and Soul Flags. The Portland Area Canine Therapy Team will also be showing off a therapy dog during the event.

The Mental Health Fair runs from 2-5 pm and is free for all ages.