Lt. Governor’s office hosts first-of-its-kind fair in Dover

DOVER, Del. – From healthy lifestyle to mental health resources, Delaware Lieutenant Governor, Bethany Hall-Long, wanted to touch every area on the holistic health spectrum.

The Lieutenant Governor spent five months pulling together different resources from across the First State, to organize the first Kent County Health and Wellness Fair.

She said it was about more than just educating the public, she also wanted to hear their needs.

“When I hear that we need more mental health counseling in schools, we work with the legislature, so I’ll take a note,” Hall-Long said.

State Representative with the Delaware General Assembly, Kerri Evelyn Harris, partnered with Hall-Long to bring the one-stop shop to life, and said one of those needs is addressing mental health.

“Especially in Black and brown communities, there still is a stigma around receiving mental health care,” Harris said. “Letting folks know, ‘Hey, it’s safe, it’s normal and it’s healthier overall for yourself and your family to have a conversation. Talk through the traumas that might be impacting your family.”

With hopes of bringing more events like Saturdays to Kent County, Harris said this was just the first step in creating a stronger, more healthy community.

“While we’re a small state, we’re a mighty state, and we have a lot of underused resources,” Harris said. “People just don’t know about them, so come out, what you think is not there to help you, is actually there, and showing up here will connect you with the right networks of people.”