MHAPC annual meeting May 7 to mark Mental Health Month

May is Mental Health Month, and Mental Health America of Putnam County (MHAPC ) is calling on the community to help the one in four American adults who live with diagnosable, treatable mental health conditions in an effort to understand how important mental health is to overall health.

Mental Health America wants people to know that while mental health and substance use conditions are common, they are extremely treatable and individuals go on to recover and lead full and productive lives. Too many people who are living with a mental health condition -- as high as 50 percent - never seek or receive help due to worry about stigma, lack of information, cost or lack of health care insurance.

"We now recognize how essential mental health is to our overall health and well-being; and we know how events and life changes can affect us," MHAPC Executive Director Eileen Johnson said.

"It could be a veteran struggling with the invisible wounds of war or someone coping with the stress of care giving or divorce or losing a loved one. Sometimes people are dealing with depression associated with a chronic disease such as diabetes, cancer or hypertension. And traumatic events like destructive tornadoes, for example, can take a huge toll on mental health."

Mental Health America of Putnam County will kick off Mental Health Month by honoring local Heroes in the Fight against Mental Illness at its annual meeting on Tuesday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the Putnam County Museum, 1105 N. Jackson St., Greencastle.

The program for the evening will begin with the awarding of the MHAPC Person of the Year Award and the Educator of the Year Award.

The Mental Health America Person of the Year Award, is presented to an individual in the community who has shown outstanding dedication to improving mental health and wellness of community members and who tirelessly promotes the mission of MHAPC.

The Educator of the Year Award recognizes an educator in Putnam County who has demonstrated outstanding dedication to the mental health and wellness of children, families and fellow educational professionals.

Following the awards presentation, a program will be presented by Putnam County's new sheriff, Scott Stockton. The annual meeting and the program are open to the public. Refreshments will be served.