Mental Health Awarness for May

Local commissioners honor several Juniata Valley services

LEWISTOWN -- At their meeting Thursday, the Mifflin County Commissioners honored Juniata Valley Behavioral and Developmental Services and issued a proclamation declaring May as Mental Health Awareness Month, joining the commissioners from Juniata and Huntingdon counties.

"Whereas Juniata Valley Behavioral and Developmental Services strives to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness of the lives of Pennsylvanians, and to celebrate recovery from mental illness," Commissioner Robert Postal read from the proclamation. "Whereas mental health is essential for a person's overall health. Prevention works, treatment is effective and people can recover from mental disorders and live full and productive lives.

"Now therefore be it resolved that the counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin and Juniata, acting as Juniata Valley Behavioral and Developmental Services in recognition of the importance of the ongoing fight against mental health, do hereby proclaim May 2021 to be Mental Health Awareness Month in Huntingdon County, Mifflin County and Juniata County, urging all citizens to renew a commitment to ridding our society of the stigma associated with mental illness, encourage those living with mental health conditions to get help they need and reaffirm our pledge to ensure those who need help have access to the support, acceptance and resources they deserve."

On hand to accept the proclamation from JVBDS were mental health coordinator Bob Henry and administrative officer Lisa Bollinger.

"I just wanted to thank the commissioners for taking the time and the commitment to recognize May as Mental Health Awareness Month," Henry said. "As Commissioner Postal read in the proclamation, services are available regardless of your insurance coverage or your ability to pay. So, I would encourage folks who are experiencing mental health issues to reach out and to take advantage of the services that are available in our county."

Bollinger then explained that the "Light the Way for Mental Health" initiative encourages people to replace their outdoor light bulbs with green bulbs to help spread the word that quality mental health is vital.

"York County started the 'Light the Way for Mental Health' green light campaign in 2017 and we have partnered with York County to join in the green light campaign," Bollinger said. "Our goal is to raise awareness of the importance of good mental health well-being and to encourage those in need of support to understand available resources so they can find the best path to recovery."

Three floodlights were presented to the commissioners to light up the Historic Mifflin County Courthouse on Monument Square in Lewistown.

Also on Thursday, the commissioners:

¯Approved the minutes from the April 15 meeting;

¯Voted to pay the county's bills;

¯Accepted the treasurer's report;

¯Approved a request for exoneration of 2021 county real estate tax bill and relieve the tax collector from collecting a $1,006.13 bill for a parcel in Brown Township because the Department of Veterans Affairs approved exempt status for it and a $559.05 bill for a parcel in Granville Township because the parcel did not receive preferential clean and green assessment and will be rebilled with August supplemental;

¯Approved an annex project change order with Lobar Inc. for an additional $5,692.48 for the coroner area and exterior control revisions;

¯Approved an annex project change order with Hosler Corp. for an additional $979 for a modified probation area ductsox system;

¯Approved an annex project change order with Hosler Corp. for an additional $1,086 for miscellaneous HVAC revisions;

¯Approved a project modification request for the re-entry coordination grant for the period Oct. 1, 2020 through Sept. 30, 2021;

¯Approved an agreement with Curtis Wert, of Lewistown, to provide re-entry coordination services during the period May 1, 2021 through Sept. 30, 2021 not to exceed $25,000 to be paid through the re-entry grant;

¯Approved an electronic access agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for Pennsylvania crash information tool;

¯Approved a short-term rental agreement with the Lewistown Armory for use as a polling place on Election Day on May 18;

¯Approved the hiring of Joseph Taylor as Children and Youth caseworker, effective May 3;

¯Approved the promotion of Matthew Bender from Caseworker I to Caseworker II in the Children and Youth office, effective May 3.

The Mifflin County Commissioners meet every other Thursday in the Mifflin County Courthouse in Lewistown. The next meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. May 14.