(ABC 6 News) – Freeborn County officials are gathering with the public to address an urgent need.

Officials look to increase access to mental health providers across the county.

The “For the Love of Mental Health” event aims to address the mental health provider shortage in southeast Minnesota.

At the meeting, experts and the public shared their ideas about how to improve access to mental health care.

“People in Albert Lea are proactive, they are go-getters,” said Marnie Werner, the vice president of research at the Center for Rural Policy and Development. “Over the year, with the hospital issue and just the fact that they are having this meeting today shows that they are taking this seriously, and that they really intend to have something come of it.”

The event comes following the closure of MercyOne in Albert Lea, which has had a major impact on local’s access to general health care.