Beth Looney is OSF's Behavioral Health Navigator in Cambridge. She says the pandemic has left many people alone to struggle with a loss of hope.
In particular, Looney says seniors and children have been isolated from their families and friends. And Sunday's gathering at College Square Park will give people a chance to have some fun safely, outdoors with social distancing.
"One Incredible Day" will also kick off a collaboration with Tom Akers, author of "Everett the Incredible." It's a children's book about bullying. He and the mental health alliance plan to give a copy of the book to every first- through fifth-grader in Henry and Stark counties.
The music, food, and fun runs from noon until 4 pm on Sunday at Cambridge's College Square Park.
Mental health resources will be available, along with a petting zoo plus pork chops, burgers, and hot dogs from the Cambridge FFA.
The Henry and Stark County Health Department says its latest Community Health Needs Assessment shows 21.3% of people who responded reported "poor" mental health 1-7 days per month. And 8.6% reported "poor" mental health 8-30 days per month.
