Meet and chat with Kelsey Zlevor. She’s an urban planner who works to make public places, such as parks, be places of healing and connection 
for people suffering from depression or other mental illnesses. In this free online conversation, learn about her work — Mental Landscapes — and find out about her conference session and workshop in Teaneck in January. Kelsey will be talking with NNJCF Executive Director Leonardo Vazquez, and there will be plenty of time for you to ask questions.
On January 11, Kelsey will be leading a session at the Connections Conference for Professionals in the morning and a workshop in the afternoon.
The conference session — Mental Landscapes – Depression as a Design Lens — explores how people who are depressed experience public places, and what can be done to enhance their experiences. Depression is closely associated with social isolation, which the US Surgeon General has identified as a public health threat.
The workshop — Designing Places to Reduce Depression — will help mental health, community development, placemaking and site management professionals think about ways to redesign spaces to be more enjoyable for people with mental disabilities.
