CRANBERRY TWP — No one should ever feel uncomfortable in their community, which is why depression is the topic of discussion at the next Spotlight on Mental Health event.

“So often the things we deal with can make you feel so alone … and isolation makes things worse,” said Jackie Eppler, event coordinator. “This is for people to know that they're not alone, that there's people there to help them. We're here. We care. We're going to try to get you resources.”

Hosted by the Cranberry Diversity Network's mental health coalition, the event is from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at the Cranberry Township Municipal Center. A resource fair with community groups and mental health organizations is also planned.

Throughout the evening, attendees can listen to a panel of people who have lived through depression, Eppler said. The panel starts at 5:30 and ends at 7 p.m.

“They're in a place in their lives where it's therapeutically safe for them to share their story,” Eppler said. “It's an opportunity for people to get an idea of what depression looks like.”

Katie Holzworth, a licensed clinical social worker and therapist at the Cranberry Psychological Center, said the panel will cover a variety of depression diagnoses and experiences. She will facilitate the panel.

“A big part of it is just seeing how different depression can look,” Holzworth said. “They'll talk about various types of treatment people pursued, how that changed over time, how people's loved ones were or were not helpful, how the community affected them, all of those different types of things.”

There will also be time at the end for audience members to ask questions.

In two breakout sessions, adolescent and perinatal depression will be discussed by mental health professionals at 7:45 p.m. in the Franklin Station Room and Council Chambers, respectively. Those topics were selected by the staff at Cranberry Psychological Center.

“The community has shown an interest in adolescent health issues,” Holzworth said. “And an area we're seeing a lot of growth in and hope to destigmatize is perinatal depression.”

Perinatal depression can happen during or after pregnancy, Holzworth said. It is not just limited to post-partum depression.

For each topic the professionals will give an overview, ways and when to seek help. They'll also discuss ways that family, friends and loved ones can be supportive to adolescents and women who are experiencing depression, Holzworth said.

For more information, visit cranberrytownship.org.