May is mental health awareness month
Kathy Quick of Schuylkill County Mental Health and Developmental Services, and Diane Rowland of the county Drug & Alcohol program hold posters made by Tamaqua Area High School students Emily Andrews and Taylor Dannon marking mental health awareness month. CHRIS PARKER/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS
Schuylkill County commissioners have proclaimed May as mental health awareness month.
More than 40 million Americans suffer from mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorder and serious emotional disturbance.
But only two out of every three people overcome the fear, prejudice and misunderstanding so often associated with mental illness to seek professional help, according to the proclamation.
The Schuylkill County Mental Health/Developmental Services program is continuing to enhance relationships with consumer advisory groups, families, community businesses and agencies to develop community-based structures that support recovery.
“Commissioners and the county Mental Health/Developmental Services program and its provider agencies, along with mental health associations around the county, join forces with the leaders of our community to dispel the myths and falsehoods commonly associated with mental illness, to increase recognition of the early warning signs, and create an environment where care can be sought and obtained without fear or shame,” the proclamation states.
To reach out to the community, Schuylkill County’s VISION, the Mental Health Committee and the Schuylkill County Drug & Alcohol Junior Advisory Board joined together for a poster contest to raise awareness for mental health.
“We received over 40 poster entries from schools in the county. All of these entries will be displayed during Block of Art this weekend,” said Kathy Quick, Schuylkill County Child and Adolescent Service System Program Coordinator.
The posters will then be transferred to the courthouse, where they will be displayed for the month of May in recognition of Mental Health Awareness month.
The Junior Advisory Board selected six posters they believe best convey the message. Those posters were created by Tamaqua Area High School students Emily Andrews and Taylor Dannon; Saint Claire Middle School students Ava Lewis, Aleczia Britt and Abby Leskin; and Gillingham Charter School student Aurora Holbert.
The Junior Advisory Board will be distributing them to all of the county schools for display in May. Additional copies of the posters will be given to other agencies and providers of children’s services in the county.
