Penn Highlands DuBois Behavioral Health Services to Host “Hope Starts Here: The Art of Connection” Community Mental Health Event

Penn Highlands DuBois Behavioral Health Services invites the public to “Hope Starts Here: The Art of Connection” on Friday, September 18, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Penn Highlands DuBois East Campus, 635 Maple Avenue, DuBois, PA.

This all-ages event, in recognition of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, combines art therapy, education and community engagement and is designed to foster hope and break the stigma around mental health.

The gathering will feature a live, collaborative mural painting guided by a local artist. Attendees are encouraged to paint alongside their neighbors to create a piece of artwork symbolizing support, remembrance and community resilience. No artistic experience is necessary to participate.

Following the event, the community mural will be displayed in the lobby of the Stern Center for Behavioral Health.

The afternoon also will feature information on suicide prevention awareness and proactive support strategies and discussions with mental health professionals as well as live local music, refreshments and giveaways.

“Our goal with the ‘Hope Starts Here’ initiative is to ensure that no one in our community feels alone in their mental health journey,” said Benjamen Gangewere, DO, Associate Medical Director of Behavioral Health and Psychiatry Residency Program Director at Penn Highlands Healthcare. “This gathering is an opportunity for our community to come together, express hope through art, learn practical ways to support one another and remind people that they are never on their own.”

“Hope Starts Here: The Art of Connection” is free and open to the public, but space is limited. Attendees are encouraged to register in advance at phhealthcare.org/hopestartshere.