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Deschutes County proclaims May 2025 Mental Health Awareness Month, spotlights NAMI partnership
Summary
The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners voted to proclaim May 2025 Mental Health Awareness Month, recognizing county behavioral health services and NAMI Central Oregon’s advocacy. Commissioners and county staff urged removing stigma and highlighted local programs and a May 18 awareness walk.
Deschutes County commissioners voted unanimously May 7 to proclaim May 2025 Mental Health Awareness Month, urging residents to talk about mental health and spotlighting local services and partnerships.
The proclamation, moved and seconded during the board meeting, declares May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Deschutes County and encourages public discussion about the “devastating consequences of unaddressed mental illness” while pointing people toward existing recovery paths.
The resolution acknowledges national statistics cited in the proclamation text — including that “nearly 1 in 5 adults and 1 in 5 adolescents in the United States live with a mental illness” — and stresses the local role of county behavioral health staff, the stabilization center and community partners in reducing stigma and improving access to care. Before the vote, community advocates and county staff addressed the board in support of the recognition.
Kenny Hadden, board chair for NAMI Central Oregon, told commissioners the organization’s outreach helps people realize mental illness is common and treatable. “Mental health is just health,” Hadden said, urging people to reach out to peer networks, classes and support groups.
Holly Harris, Deschutes County behavioral health director, thanked NAMI for its “unmatched” support for consumers and families and called the partnership essential to county efforts.
Commissioners noted the county workforce’s involvement in behavioral and public safety work and thanked the county’s nearly 1,200 employees. County staff reminded residents that public programs include wildfire-risk reduction assistance and stability services; the board also reminded property owners about a property tax installment deadline and county free yard-waste options this month.
The proclamation includes a call to action for residents: speak about mental health openly, and consider attending a mental health awareness walk organized by NAMI Central Oregon on May 18 in Pioneer Park.
The board’s action was procedural and symbolic; no new funding or regulatory changes were attached to the proclamation. Commissioners described the vote as recognition of ongoing county and nonprofit work and a public invitation to reduce stigma and support people seeking care.
A copy of the signed proclamation will be placed in the county public record and distributed via the county’s communication channels.
