County Commissioners Kevin Boozel and Leslie Osche, left, and Kim Geyer, right, hear Kathy McDonnell, the executive director of the Butler chapter of the National Alliance for Mental Illness, thank them for proclaiming May as Mental Health Awareness Month in Butler County.

May has been proclaimed Mental Health Awareness Month by the county commissioners, which touched the heart of a local woman who officially accepted the proclamation.

The proclamation was made at the Wednesday commissioners meeting at the county government center.

O'Donnell invited all residents of Butler County to stand up for those who are reluctant to stand up for themselves by participating in a walk-a-thon event being planned for Saturday, May 19 at Butler County Community College.

“You all are invited to stand up to the stigma,” said O'Donnell.

The commissioners at the meeting also proclaimed April Child Abuse Protection Month.

Receiving the proclamation were Amanda Feltenberger and Allison Gall of the county human services department.

Feltenberger said she is working with organizations and community members on a plan to prevent child abuse called the “Help Stop It” initiative.

She said training, resources and information will be rolled out to the community so all can have a hand in preventing child abuse.

Osche said without mutual accountability by all, child abuse victims could slip through the cracks.

Feltenberger invited county residents to enter a team in the “Strike Out Child Abuse” event on April 29 at Family Bowlaway on Fairground Hill Road.

Read the full story in Sunday's Butler Eagle.