The Ames Police Department is partnering with other local organizations to hold the Story County Mental Health Expo, “An Evening of Hope and Healing,” which is planned virtually from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 21. This community event will provide information and resources to understand and support mental health issues including trauma, stress, and substance abuse.

Additionally, the expo supports the City of Ames Mental Health Wellness Recovery, and Resiliency Initiative, a series of mental health speakers, trainings, and educational opportunities. To access the event, visit http://storycountymhexpo.com/ or on Facebook @Mental Health Expo-Ames IA.

The virtual resource fair will open at 5 p.m. A wide variety of agencies will be represented with quick access to each agency’s website/social media to make it easy to learn about what services are offered. At 6 p.m., participants can access the live keynote speaker.

The keynote speaker will be Kevin Hines, a prominent international suicide prevention speaker and mental health advocate. He will present “Be Here Tomorrow: The Ripple Effect of Suicide,” followed by a live Q&A.

In addition to the Ames Police Department, other organizations partnering to hold this event include Central Iowa Community Services (CICS), Community and Family Resources, Community Support Advocates (CSA), Eyerly Ball Community Mental Health Services, Iowa State University (ISU) Counseling, ISU Committee on Lectures, ISU Police Department, Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI), National Alliance on Mental Illness Central Iowa (NAMI-CI), Optimae LifeServices, and YSS.