Glenview Public Library hosts Author Meg Kissinger and Community Mental Health Fair

Glenview Public Library is excited to welcome author and journalist Meg Kissinger for a thought-provoking discussion on her memoir, “While You Were Out: An Intimate Family Portrait of Mental Illness in an Era of Silence.” At 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16, at Glenview Park Center’s Lakeview Room, Kissinger will be joined by Renee Dominguez, co-executive director of the Family Service Center, for a conversation exploring themes of family resilience, loss and the impact of mental illness.

Following the discussion, the Thrive Together: Community Mental Health Fair will take place from 2-4 p.m., at Park Center, connecting attendees with local mental health services and resources.

“While You Were Out” offers a deeply moving portrait of Kissinger’s Wilmette family as they faced hidden battles with mental illness, shedding light on the failures of the mental health system and the enduring power of familial love. The library is committed to fostering a supportive, inclusive community and providing a space where mental health can be openly discussed.

“As our community grapples with challenges like depression, anxiety, and more, we felt it was vital to provide both resources and a space for shared experiences,” said Janet McIntyre, Outreach manager at Glenview Public Library. “Connecting our community with mental health resources is essential to building a stronger, healthier Glenview for all.”

Meg Kissinger is an award-winning investigative journalist and professor at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism and was a visiting professor at DePauw University. A finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, she has written extensively about the failures of the mental health system.

The Thrive Together: Community Mental Health Fair offers an opportunity to engage with local organizations, schools and advocates committed to promoting mental wellness in Glenview and surrounding areas. Organized in partnership with Family Service Center, Glenview School Districts 225 and 34, Debra Gelfand Children’s Foundation, and Glenview Park District, this event invites the community to connect with mental health resources and support networks.

For a full list of participating organizations and to register, visit glenviewpl.org/thrive-together.

Both the Meg Kissinger Author Event and Thrive Together: Community Mental Health Fair are free and open to the public.