BOS declares May Mental Health Month

Don Brown, Deputy Executive Director at Warren Yazoo Behavioral Health presented a resolution this Monday at the Board of Supervisors meeting, declaring May to be Mental Health Month.

The proclamation read,

“Whereas the citizens of Warren County MS value their health and that of their families and fellow Mississipians, and whereas the area that someone lives in plays a significant role in their overall health and well being, and whereas surroundings can impact if, how, and when a person’s needs are met, which in turn affects mental health, and whereas having safe, stable, and healthy home conditions set the foundation for achieving and maintaining good mental health, and whereas with early and effective interventions, those individuals with mental health conditions can recover and lead full productive lives, and whereas [Warren County citizens and its organizations] share the burden of mental health problems and have a responsibility to promote mental health wellness and support prevention efforts, therefore being resolved, the Warren County Board of Supervisors does hereby proclaim May 2023 as Mental Health Month in Warren County MS, and calls upon [citizens and organizations] recommit our community to increasing awareness and understanding of mental health, the steps our citizens can take to protect their mental health and the need for appropriate and accessible services for all people with mental health conditions…”

The proclamation was accepted by the Board of Supervisors and then signed by Board President Barfield.

Taking the initiative in the process of awareness, Brown and his team have been giving out green ribbons and armbands signifying Mental Health Awareness Month.

“We just want to continue to try to overcome the stigma and all the misconceptions of mental illness, and let people know that there are lots of services out here for people,” Brown explained, emphasizing the importance of awareness in prevention through educating people “not to ignore the signs and symptoms of [mental illness].”

Brown concluded by stressing the need for citizens and organizations to consider nationwide tragedies not as distant, far off events, but as something to be tackled first on a local level: “Everything going on in this country is going on here also.”

President Barfield extended the gratitude of the Board to Brown for “working tirelessly” to combat mental illness.

“The school district signed a similar proclamation last week, the city will do one this morning, and we also actually got one from the governor’s office,” Brown announced, excited that “everybody was getting off on the right foot here on May 1st.”