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Tillamook County proclaims May as Mental Health Awareness Month; local trainers highlight QPR
Summary
The Board adopted a proclamation recognizing May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month and heard from suicide‑prevention trainers about Question‑Persuade‑Refer (QPR) training and local needs.
The Tillamook County Board of Commissioners voted to proclaim May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month and heard from local suicide‑prevention leaders about community outreach and training options.
Amanda Farratt, identified in the meeting record as the requestor and lead of the Tillamook County Suicide Prevention Coalition, and Sarah Ermer, a prevention coordinator and QPR trainer, spoke to the board about destigmatizing mental‑health conversations and practical steps citizens can take to support people in crisis. Farratt described the importance of public conversation: “the more conversations we can have, the more we can destigmatize mental health which will help people reach out, talk about it, get help,” she said.
Sarah Ermer described QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), a 60‑ to 90‑minute training the speakers offer that teaches how to ask directly about suicidal thoughts, persuade someone to stay safe and make a referral to professional services. “The other feature…is you get to know all of the different warning signs or clues,” Ermer told the board, emphasizing early recognition of behavioral indicators.
Commissioners praised the coalition’s work and noted the broader connection between mental and physical health, urging residents to seek help and use local resources. The proclamation text, read into the record by a commissioner, cited national statistics from Mental Health America and resolved that the board proclaims May as Mental Health Awareness Month in Tillamook County.
The board adopted the proclamation by voice vote; the motion carried.
