Clinton County proclaims May 2025 Mental Health Awareness Month; NAMI North Central PA urges local support

On May 8, 2025 the Clinton County Board of Commissioners adopted a proclamation declaring May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month.

Commissioner Angela Harding read the proclamation into the record, citing statistics the proclamation attributed to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institute of Mental Health: that roughly 50 percent of lifetime mental-health disorders begin by age 14 and about 75 percent by age 24, and that suicide is a leading cause of death for adolescents and young adults. The proclamation emphasized early identification and the special challenges faced by residents of rural communities, including distance to care and limited broadband for virtual services.

Stacy Clark, representing the board of directors of NAMI North Central PA, thanked the commissioners for the proclamation and described NAMI’s local services. “With your support, we at NAMI can continue to provide advocacy, education, resources, and peer support for those who are impacted by mental health,” Clark said. She said NAMI has reestablished a quarterly suicide-prevention committee with local stakeholders, plans to develop a collaborative task force, and has started a monthly peer-support group in Clinton County at the Bridal Laundry Center. Clark also noted that NAMI makes local helplines and national resources available; she reminded the public that the national suicide-prevention line is 988.

The proclamation and the presentation were ceremonial; the board adopted the proclamation by voice vote. NAMI representatives encouraged county officials and residents to partner on outreach and training to reduce stigma and improve early intervention.