Lake County proclaims May 2025 'Mental Health Matters Month,' officials highlight expanded services

The Lake County Board of Supervisors on May 2025 adopted a proclamation designating May 2025 as Mental Health Matters Month and encouraged residents to participate in local awareness events, a county official said.

The proclamation, read aloud by Supervisor Sabatier and adopted by the board, called for raising awareness, reducing stigma and promoting early intervention, while Lake County Behavioral Health Services leaders described recent program expansions and a new 24/7 response service intended to improve access to care in the rural county.

Supervisor Sabatier read the proclamation, saying, "Mental Health Matters Month observed each May is a time for us to unite in raising awareness, promoting understanding, and working together to break down the stigma surrounding mental health." The board "passed and adopted" the proclamation and it was signed by Board Chair EJ Crandall.

Elise Jones, director of Lake County Behavioral Health Services, told the board that about 25% of the department's staff have used department services themselves and that the county has expanded staffing and budget in recent years. "We have launched a 24 hour 7 day a week service, for the first time ever for mental health," Jones said, and thanked law enforcement and community-based organizations for partnership.

Community liaison Megan Morgan invited residents to a Mental Health Matters Day event at Austin Park in Clear Lake, saying, "I just wanna invite everyone down to Austin Park this Saturday for Mental Health Matters Day. We'd love to see you there." County officials also provided a local crisis line number during remarks.

Public commenters highlighted specific local concerns and populations. Raven Shepherd, a longtime county resident, urged attention to tribal mental health and said communities experience "microaggressive behaviors" and systemic barriers that affect access to care. Jennifer Nielsen, director of behavioral health at Lake Family Resource Center, called attention to infants and toddlers and said, "for infants and toddlers, it looks like social emotional learning," urging supports for parents and families. Elaine Brown, an educator speaking during public comment, urged examination of "root causes" and expressed distrust of government and medical institutions; Brown also made claims linking vaccinations to rising autism rates, which she presented as her view.

The proclamation text cited statewide statistics and local challenges, noting mental health conditions affect adults and youth and referencing serious mental illness and disparities in life expectancy for some people with untreated conditions. The board encouraged residents to participate in local Mental Health Matters Day events and to foster a culture of compassion and connection.

Officials and presenters emphasized that recovery is possible and that removing stigma and improving early intervention are county priorities, while public commenters called for additional focus on tribal communities, early childhood supports and addressing underlying causes of mental health needs.

The board's formal action was limited to adopting and signing the proclamation; no funding or ordinance changes were made at the meeting. The county encouraged residents in need of immediate help to contact the crisis resources announced at the meeting.