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Marion County proclaims May 2025 Mental Health Awareness Month; highlights community trainings and youth programs
Summary
The commissioners proclaimed May 2025 Mental Health Awareness Month and heard presenters describe county suicide-prevention training, community connection events, the Signs of Hope campaign and school-based Sources of Strength youth programs.
Laura Sprouse, identified as the "0 suicide program coordinator for Marion County Health and Human Services," and Kelly Martin, coordinator for the county's mental-health promotion and suicide-prevention program, asked the board to proclaim May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month and outlined county activities and data.
Sprouse cited findings from the Marion Polk Community Health Assessment, saying "42 percent of adults who responded ... reported having a poor mental health in the last month." Martin described work on social-connection events and trainings, noting "About 1 in 3 adults feel lonely at least once a week," and said the county has held connection events in Silverton and Monmouth and plans more in Salem.
Speakers described partnerships across county agencies and community groups. Derek Amon of the Marion County Sheriff's Office said health and public-safety staff have collaborated on crisis-intervention training and that a QPR session trained "162 of our employees in 1 week." Schools participating in youth suicide-prevention work presented student leaders from Claggett Creek Middle School's Sources of Strength program. Peer leader Dylan Christiansen said a jacket and hygiene drive organized by students produced roughly "a car full" of donations for a youth shelter.
County staff outlined resources available during May, including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, the Oregon Youth Line (peer support for young people), AGRIStress (for agricultural workers), a construction-care line for labor and construction workers, and a senior-loneliness line available statewide.
Commissioners praised the students and county partnerships. The board approved the proclamation designating May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month by voice vote. County staff encouraged participation in trainings (including QPR and question-persuade-refer sessions) and community events planned through the month.
Speakers also described sign-holding events and distribution of printed "Signs of Hope" with 988 information across Marion and Polk counties; more than 70 community partners were reported participating in the signs campaign.
