Mental health is an important issue with very few clear-cut answers, and the Fort Dodge Evening Lions Club is hoping to facilitate some discussion that will lead the way to answers and support.

The club is hosting a mental health symposium at 6 p.m. today at the Cardiff Center at Fort Frenzy, 3232 First Ave. S.

“We have a lot of mental health problems in Webster County and we sure need to get something going to help,” said Bill Oberhelman, a Lions Club member and organizer for the event. “We’ve got a lot of need for something like this and any way we can help, we’re certainly going to try to do that.”

The symposium will feature an array of speakers to cover all aspects of the “mental health crisis,” Oberhelman said, including state Rep. Ann Meyer, R-Fort Dodge; Webster County Sheriff Jim Stubbs; Fort Dodge Police Department representatives, Fort Dodge Fire Department representatives, local pastors and others. Angela Tharp, from the National Alliance of Mental Illness of Central Iowa, will also speak during the event.

Following the speakers, there will be a panel discussion to close out the symposium.

Social distancing and the use of face coverings will be encouraged at the event.