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County proclaims May Mental Health Awareness Month; Beacon Mental Health highlights services and new youth program
Summary
The commission recognized May as Mental Health Awareness Month. Kristen Fieback of Beacon Mental Health thanked the county for funding and described services (about 10,000 people served last year, 24/7 crisis response via 988) and a new youth C STAR program funded through local partnerships and foundation campaigns.
The Clay County Board of Commissioners adopted an honorary resolution recognizing May 2026 as Mental Health Awareness Month and invited Beacon Mental Health to speak on local services.
Kristen Fieback, CEO of Beacon Mental Health, told the commission Beacon served about 10,000 people last year and thanked the county for tax-supported funding that helps provide outpatient therapy, psychiatric medication management and mobile crisis response. She noted local funds (Ray, Clay and Platte County mental health funds and the Clay County children's fund) support uninsured and underinsured residents and that 24/7 crisis services are available through dialing 988.
Fieback encouraged commissioners to attend treatment court graduations and highlighted partnerships and specialized programs including substance use treatment and treatment-court services. Jennifer Justice, a foundation board member, described fundraising and outreach efforts for May (the "Stay Grounded" campaign in partnership with Head Rush coffee shops and the Birdies for Beacon fundraiser on Oct. 13) and introduced a new C STAR (Comprehensive Substance Treatment and Rehabilitation) program aimed at youth.
Commissioners thanked Beacon for its work and asked staff to make event information available on the county calendar. Fieback provided the agency website (beaconmh.org) and a main line for access; she reiterated that 988 is the local crisis number. The commission took no additional formal actions beyond the honorary resolution.
