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JC Commissioners Proclaim Mental Health Awareness Month

By Jordan Fortson 2 min read
Juniata County Commissioners<br> The Juniata County Commissioners have proclaimed May as Mental Health Awareness Month. Pictured are, from left, Commissioner Todd A. Graybill, Commissioner Mark R. Partner, Commissioner Alice Gray, Juniata Valley Behavioral and Developmental Services (JVBDS) Administrator Kathy Whalen and JVBDS Adult Mental Health Specialist Bob Henry.

MIFFLINTOWN -- The Juniata County Commissioners proclaimed the month of May as Mental Health Awareness Month, a recognized health awareness initiative established and recognized nationally since 1949.

Green is the official color of Mental Health Awareness month. The outside facade of the Juniata County Courthouse will be illuminated in green and parking meters in Mifflintown Borough will be adorned with green ribbons.

The national need for mental health assistance in the United States grew in the first half of the 20th century due to children working in industry, long hours for employees, low pay, the Great Depression and World War II.

Mental health awareness in the United States is one of the most unique movements in health over the last two centuries. Former Yale graduate, Clifford Whittingham Beers (1876 – 1943) was diagnosed by doctors as mentally ill and was subsequently placed in several mental hospitals, being mistreated in most of them. His written experience led to better treatment of individuals who were diagnosed as mentally ill.

Juniata Valley Behavioral and Developmental Services Administrator Kathy Whalen thanked the commissioners for the proclamation.

"We want to raise awareness and reduce the stigmas surrounding mental health," Whalen said. "We have provided and will be participating in many awareness events.'

Events include a billboard campaign, a three-county Out of the Darkness walk on Sunday, October 1, Family Fun Fair in Port Royal, Green Day on May 5, a Senior Expo on Saturday, May 6 at the River Valley Church and a "reducing stigma" event on May 9 at the Compass Center in Lewistown.

Juniata Valley Behavioral and Developmental Services will be hosting an open-house Wednesday, May 3 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

For more information, visit the Juniata Valley Behavioral and Developmental Services website http://www.jvbds.org/ or the Facebook.

Those in need of mental health service, call Juniata Valley Behavioral and Developmental Health Services at (717) 242-6467.

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