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Organizers outline May 30 "Kick the Stigma" event after commissioners proclaim Mental Health and Stigma Awareness Month
Summary
Commissioners proclaimed May 2026 as Mental Health and Stigma Awareness Month in Jefferson County. Organizers Mary and Shane Ellis outlined a May 30 event at DuBois City Park featuring a pickleball tournament, a K–12 art contest, speakers (including a 988-awareness presenter), student activities, animal presentations, a DJ/MC and food trucks; they requested sponsors and volunteers.
The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners proclaimed May 2026 as Mental Health and Stigma Awareness Month and invited event organizers to describe planned activities.
Mary, an event organizer, and Shane Ellis, who identified himself as treasurer and a founding member of the organizing group, outlined a kickoff event scheduled for May 30 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at DuBois City Park. Planned programming includes a pickleball tournament (teens through adults, with efforts to include people of varying abilities), a K–12 art contest (category prizes and a single overall winner whose design will be used on next year’s event shirt), speakers sharing personal stories about mental health and stigma, a 988-awareness speaker, animal presentations and family-friendly entertainment such as juggling and magic performed by the event MC.
Organizers said they expect multiple student volunteers from DuBois High School, face/chalk art activities, and six food trucks; they asked for sponsors at a range of levels and noted basket raffles as a fundraising element. Organizers said they aim to grow the effort beyond May and extend outreach across Jefferson County in future years.
Shane Ellis identified himself during a follow-up exchange as treasurer and one of the founding members of the organizing board and said the group currently has about eight or nine members.
The commissioners approved the proclamation by voice vote and no formal objections were recorded in the meeting transcript.
