Mental health in county focus of proclamation
As Probate Judge Laurie Hall presented a proclamation to declare May as Mental Health Awareness Month to the Marengo County Commission Thursday morning, the Sheriff’s Office was handling a case of a man suffering from a mental health breakdown.
The incident was resolved with no injuries, and the man is undergoing treatment, but it underscored the severity of mental health issues in the county and around the country as stated in the proclamation.
Hall, as Probate Judge, oversees hearings on commitments for mental health patients. She said there is a significant number of mental health issues in the county. In her proclamation she stated that mental disorders are “the most prevalent health problem in America today – more common than cancer, lung and heart disease combined.”
Adding to the problem, she continued, is that “an estimated two-thirds of adults and young people with mental health problems are not getting the help they need.”
Before the coronavirus hit, she told the Commission, she spoke at schools around the county. Several students responded and sought help.
An emotional Commissioner Freddie Armstead said that he especially liked that children were included in the proclamation and told of a 14-year-old girl in the county who committed suicide last week.
“You all just don’t know the number of children” who need help, he told his fellow commissioners.
Hall told the Commission that the election machines to make it easier for disabled people to vote are obsolete, but new ones cost $85,000 each. Fortunately, she said, the Secretary of State is funding new machines for each county in a discounted deal. Marengo County will be required to send to the state the remainder of money in its election account, which Hall said is $1,350.
“This is a great benefit for us,” she told the Commission, and had “no objections for free money.”
The Commission:
- Approved a liquor license for Dixons Liquor Store.
- Agreed that the county will take part in the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday July 16-18.
- Approved a petition to vacate a small section of old U.S. Hwy. 80 west of Faunsdale.
- Agreed to begin the summer worker program for area students again now that COVID-19 is subsiding and the students will be safe.
- Appointed Carol Braxton to the Department of Human Resources board.
- Tabled a resolution with West Rock concerning a lighting project. The resolution said the county would pick up the difference in cost exceeding $775,000. While the project is not expected to cost that much, the Commission wanted confirmation before approving the resolution.
In continuing discussion of the Hazard Mitigation Grant program, the county will not know if it is approved until September. Individuals wanting to purchase their own storm shelters were advised to hold off buying one to make sure they will be eligible for a 75 percent reimbursement.
Ellen Tate, representing residents along Bunny Creek Road, said she had been getting conflicting information whether the road will be included in the next round of paving projects. When assured that the road would be included, she then asked the dirt road be maintained until the paving occurs.