County declares May Mental Health Month
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.
“I live with mental illness,” said Kathy McDonnell, executive director of the Butler Chapter of the National Alliance for Mental Illness. “This is so touching to me because of the work that I do, because others have been there for me.”
The proclamation was made at the Wednesday commissioners' meeting at the county government center.
Commissioner Kim Geyer said everyone knows someone who struggles with a mental illness.
“This is another issue we need to talk more about publicly and knock down the stigmas and barriers for people regarding mental health,” Geyer said.
Geyer said doing so could save lives across the country by reducing the number of mass shootings that have devastated families over the last several years.
“We see things on the news on a daily basis, and they all revert back to mental health issues,” she said.
Commissioner Kevin Boozel agreed.
“It's moved to an acceptance level,” Boozel said.
He said mental health issues are illnesses just like diabetes or heart disease and should not be stigmatized.
Commissioner Chairman Leslie Osche wrapped McDonnell in a long hug after the proclamation.
McDonnell 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 May 19 at Butler County Community College.
“You all are invited to stand up to the stigma,” McDonnell said.
She said NAMI works with individuals throughout the county who don't have services or need to find services for their issues.
McDonnell said she appreciates the commissioners' proclamation.
“It's deep in my heart because people were there for me to try and help me get services,” McDonnell said, “and I want to do the same for others.”
Child Abuse Protection Month
The commissioners 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.
“It was a tough year last year for us with the big issues and all that occurred,” Osche said.
“It's up to us to step up and make sure it doesn't happen again,” she added.
Feltenberger said it “takes the community to be the prevention.”
She invited county residents to enter a team in the “Strike Out Child Abuse” event April 29 at Family Bowlaway on Fairground Hill Road.
“We all have a role to play,” Feltenberger said.
