About 600 9th graders from across the Range headed to the Minnesota Discovery Center this week for the 2nd Annual Youth Mental Health Day.

WDIO stopped by on Thursday. Animals, song-writing, candy eating and BMX bike demos all were part of the fun.

Cassie Liubakka, chair of the event, shared, “It’s exciting to talk about mental health in a positive way. Experiencing the animals, the music, the messaging. And even sensory things like spicy and sour candies and strong scents. There are ways you can use these things to move forward in a positive way.”

Jessica Schuster, who is on the organizing committee, added, “This isn’t just for people who are struggling. It’s providing them the tools if a friend or family member needs help too.”