PRESS RELEASE

City of Long Beach 
Public Information Office
411 W. Ocean Blvd, 
Long Beach, CA 90802
www.longbeach.gov

10/14/2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEPress Release # 092822
Subject:
*Updated* Long Beach to Host Resource Fair in Celebration of World Mental Health Day
Contact:
Amanda Recio
562.965.2839
Amanda.Recio@longbeach.gov
Public Affairs Specialist
Department of Health and Human Services




Updated Friday, Oct. 14, 2022: The World Mental Health Day Resource Fair, originally scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 15, has been postponed until further notice due to impending weather concerns. Details of the rescheduled event will be released at a later date.  

Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach invites Long Beach families and community members of all ages to its first World Mental Health Day Resource Fair on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Admiral Kidd Park (2125 Santa Fe Ave). This free event will raise awareness of mental health resources for people in the community and provide information tables from local community-based organizations and exhibitors.

“The City is excited to celebrate World Mental Health Day in Long Beach with this inaugural fair,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “It’s important that we bring the community together for a day of community care and self-care.”

The World Mental Health Day Resource Fair is an interdepartmental effort that will feature art, sound baths, music, games, sports and more. The event also will offer free merchandise and self-care prizes. In addition, vendors, exhibitors and community members who attend will have a chance to be the City’s first Mental Health Champions by taking a pledge to advocate and promote mental health in their communities. Those who take the pledge will receive window-clings and flyers for display to help community members identify spaces in Long Beach that are actively creating safe and responsive environments for mental health.

“Our World Mental Health Day Resource Fair will showcase the vital network of mental health support services that are right here in Long Beach,” said Health Department Director Kelly Colopy. “Mental Health is a critical component to our overall health and wellbeing. I encourage our Long Beach community to join us at this event.”

The Health Department is increasing outreach around mental health to normalize and destigmatize mental health and create greater access to resources that can support community members. Next month, the Health Department will launch their Mental Health Matters campaign, a new campaign to help people understand that every person’s mental health is an integral part of their overall health. Additional details about the campaign will be provided at a later date.  

This program is made possible by the Long Beach Recovery Act, a plan to fund economic and public health initiatives for Long Beach residents, workers and businesses critically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 3.2 million in funding has been allocated to support basic needs infrastructure, which includes connecting community members to key resources. Additional information about the Long Beach Recovery Act is available at longbeach.gov/recovery.

The World Mental Health Day Resource Fair aligns with Goal 4 of Long Beach’s Race and Reconciliation Initiative to increase investment in mental health and trauma services, including facilities, professionals, community responses, and culturally tailored resources.