By: Charlotte Smith
One role of our government is to keep its citizens safe. Bladen County elected officials have to keep their citizens’ health and well being as a top priority as part of their role in maintaining citizen safety.
The Bladen County Board of Commissioners issued a proclamation to help bring awareness to mental illness. Charles Ray Peterson, the Chairman of the Board, gave a list of reasons why the board wanted to help bring awareness to mental health.
One in five adults experiences a mental health problem in any given year. One-half of chronic mental illness begins by the age of 14 and three-quarters by age 24. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States and the 2nd leading cause of death among young adults, according to the commissioners, and 90% of people who die by suicide have an underlying mental illness.
Every citizen and community can make a difference in helping to end the silence and stigma that for too long has surrounded mental illness and discouraged people from getting help. The proclamation listed all these items and more. Before handing the document to Cheryl Harris with Eastpointe, Peterson read, “The Bladen County Board of Commissioners does hereby proclaim October 1 through October 7, 2017, as Mental Illness Awareness Week to shine a light on mental illness and fight the stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for equal care.”
Harris gave the phone number to Eastpointe, 1-800-913-6109, for anyone to call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, if someone needs assistance with mental health.
Mental Illness Awareness Week Proclamation 2017
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