May is Mental Health Month

Signing a proclamation recognizing May as Mental Health Month in Putnam County, Putnam County commissioners (seated from left) David Berry, Tom Helmer and Rick Woodall also agree to light up the courthouse with green lights durng the month. Joining them for the proclamation are (standing) Sheriff Jerrod Baugh, Mental Health America of Putnam County Executive Director Karen Martoglio, MHAoPC Co-President Harriet Moore, Monica Wallace of Hamilton Center, MHAoPC Treasurer Erin Flick, Putnam County EMS Chief Kelly Russ and mental health advocate Josh Query.

Banner Graphic/JARED JERNAGAN

While May is recognized nationall as Mental Health Month, the observation will get a bit of an early start in Putnam County.

On Saturday, Mental Health America of Putnam County will host a mental health fair along with the Don’t Dodge the Issues dodgeball tournament at the Lilly Center on the DePauw University campus, 728 S. Indiana St., Greencastle.

With doors opening at 10:30 a.m., the event will include information booths featuring mental health providers in the county, tables with freebies from many organizations, “Where to Start” tips and resources and mental health awareness resources.

A silent auction will include a variety of items including tickets to the Indianapolis Zoo and Kings Island.

Finally, the dodgeball tournament will begin at 12:30 p.m. Teams may sign up in the morning and must be present to review the rules at noon.

The mental health fair itself as well as observation of the tournament is free. Tournament entry costs $120 per team, with proceeds benefiting MHAoPC. Early registration is available at mhaopc.org.

In observation of Mental Health Month, the Putnam County Commissioners recently signed a proclamation recognizing the month, with the 2024 theme of “Where to Start” in the county.

During the commissioners meeting, MHAoPC Executive Director Karen Martoglio noted that green ribbons represent mental health awareness and that a new tradition of green lights has started.

“It was kicked off last year to light up public buildings green,” Martoglio said, requesting the commissioners do the same with the courthouse. “You would be part of a nationwide effort. I think they lit up the Washington Monument in D.C. in green. You’ll be part of hundreds of courthouses and town squares nationwide.”

The commissioners unanimously approved the request in addition to signing the proclamation.