July 27, 2024

May proclaimed Mental Health Awareness Month

OST photo Candra Brooks Front row: Clarke County Supervisors Austin Taylor, Dean Robins and Randy Dunbar. Back row: Maria Avalos, Parents as Teachers; Maribel Torres, Clarke County Parents as Teachers; Amye Ramsey Infinity Health Access Center; Mary DeLong, Cross Mental Health Region; Nicole Jimmerson, Clarke County Public Health; Byron Jimmerson, Clarke County Emergency Management; Kai, rescue response dog in training; and Leslie Torres, Crisis Intervention & Advocacy. (Candra Brooks)

On Monday, the Clarke County Board of Supervisors signed a proclamation designating May as Mental Health Awareness in Clarke County.

Proclamation

WHEREAS, mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being; and

WHEREAS, Mental Health America reports that 9.7% of youth have severe major depression. This rate was highest among youth who identify as more than one race, at 12.4%. Even before COVID-19, the prevalence of mental health illness among adults was increasing, an increase of 1.5 million people over last year’s data. In addition, Mental Health America, from January 2020 to September 2020, there was a reported 93% increase in anxiety screenings and 62% increase in depression screenings; and

WHEREAS, education is an effective way to reduce the stigma of mental health illnesses; and

WHEREAS, mental health illnesses are real and prevalent in our county regardless of socioeconomic boundaries; and

WHEREAS, we encourage our citizens to get help for mental health illnesses and to understand it is as important to treat as any other illness, such as diabetes or heart disease; and

WHEREAS, each business, school, government agency, healthcare provider, organization and citizen shares the burden of mental health illnesses and has a responsibility to promote mental wellness and support prevention efforts; and

WHEREAS, through increased awareness, we can achieve our goal to abandon negative stigmatism and reinforce our acceptance of individuals seeking treatment; then

THEREFORE, I Dean Robins, Chair Clarke Board of Supervisors, do hereby proclaim May 2023 as Mental Health Month in Clarke County, Iowa. As the Chair, I also call upon the citizens of Clarke County, law enforcement, government agencies, public and private institutions, businesses and schools of Clarke County, Iowa to recommit our community to increasing awareness and understanding of mental health, the steps our citizens can take to protect their mental health, and the need for appropriate and accessible services for all people with mental illnesses at all stages.

In testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of Clarke County, Iowa on this 1 day of May 2023.