Jefferson County proclaims May 2025 Mental Health Awareness Month

The Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners declared May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month during its April 29 meeting, citing the need to reduce stigma and expand access to behavioral health services.

The board said the proclamation recognizes that “mental health is a vital component of overall well-being” and highlights local service providers. Micah Porter, digital communication strategist at Jefferson Center, told commissioners that “each year, Jefferson Center serves more than 25,000 people” through partnerships with more than 50 community organizations.

The proclamation notes county statistics provided to the board: more than 12,000 Jefferson County residents used state-funded mental health services and about 14% of individuals reported needing but not receiving mental health services. Commissioners said those numbers underscore the importance of early intervention and increased funding for local behavioral health resources.

Commissioner Leslie Dahlkemper read the proclamation and thanked the Jefferson Center and other local partners for providing “client-centered services that are designed to meet individual mental health, substance use, and wellness needs.” Commissioner Zenzinger and other board members also spoke in support during the meeting.

The board did not record a formal roll-call vote tied to the proclamation in the transcript; the text of the proclamation was read into the record and declared by the board during the public meeting. The county communications office and Jefferson Center were cited as partners for continuing outreach and service coordination.