State Hospital Influence on Mental Health - Upcoming Library Program

It’s been 134 years since the State Hospital first took in patients and 17 years since it closed. During those 117 years the Fergus Falls State Hospital made a significant difference in mental health for people in Otter Tail County. Psychiatrist Dr. Thomas Kirkbride conceived of buildings and spaces that aided in patient therapy and the facility became a game changer for people in Minnesota. The Fergus Falls Public Library invites you to hear from Missy Hermes, Education Coordinator of the Otter Tail County Historical Society. Hermes is speaking at the library on Tuesday, January 23^rd from 6:30-7:30 p.m. She has worked on education outreach for the museum since 1991, having offered programs at the State Hospital as well as for organizations housed on its campus (Early Childhood Education, Alternative Learning Center, Catholic Charities). “When we hosted the exhibit at the Museum, it was so popular that we held it over for an additional year,” said Hermes. People of all ages are starting to talk about the importance of mental health; there’s not such a stigma associated with the topic.”