Mission Viejo To Host Youth Mental Health Expo

MISSION VIEJO, CA — The City of Mission Viejo is hosting a free Youth Mental Health Expo Wednesday, Sept. 8 for teens, young adults, parents, educators and youth mentors to come and learn more information about mental health challenges facing young people in and outside of the community.

The expo features Ali Borowsky, founder and CEO of Find Your Anchor, a suicide prevention, awareness and education organization. Borowsky will share her own journey to wellness and, in the process, guide youth participants in a hands-on activity to promote mental health wellness and stability.

The program is designed to build resiliency and hope within the youth of Mission Viejo, according to the press release.

“Suicide among young people is still a big concern in Orange County, and mental health challenges have only amplified because of the pandemic,” Community Services Supervisor Leslie Rea-McDonald said. “This event will help recognize mental health challenges facing our youth today and ways to deal with those issues.”

The expo will also give participants a chance to connect with professionals from various wellness centers across the county, including: the Wellness and Prevention Center of San Clemente; Connect-OC Coalition-Partners4Wellness; Orange County Health Care Agency; American Foundation for Suicide Prevention; LGBTQ Center of Orange County; and Western Youth Services.

A light dinner will be served and coffee will be readily available for the first 50 attendees to register online.

The program will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. To reserve your spot at the expo, visit the City of Mission Viejo's website.