MHA seeks nominations for annual awards

Mental Health America of Putnam County is seeking nominations for its annual awards for Person of the Year and Educator of the Year and is inviting the public to help recognize those individuals who are worthy of these awards.

“With the past three years being especially difficult, we all certainly know people who we feel deserve recognition in helping either an individual’s or a group of people’s mental health,” MHAoPC Executive Director Karen Martoglio said.

The Mental Health America Person of the Year Award recognizes an individual in the community who has shown outstanding dedication to improving mental health and wellness of individuals and/or families. Whether it be through advocating, educating or collaborating or providing support services and prevention activities, the Person of the Year awardee should be someone who promotes community-wide mental health and wellness and improves the quality of life of Putnam County residents impacted by mental health concerns.

The Mental Health America 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 education professionals. Nominations are welcome of any person in the education field, not limited to K-12.

Nominations can be submitted a variety of ways: U.S. Mail to 10-1/2 N. Jackson St., Greencastle, IN 46135; email director@mhaopc.org; fax to 653-0048; or text to 765-246-1003.

MHA is seeking nominations before April 25 to allow awards and arrangements to be made.

Recipients of the Person of the Year Award in recent years have been Eric Rippy, Nicholas Heck, Beth Benedix, Jacob Weeks, Jan Evans and Alan Zerkel. Recent recipients of the Educator of the Year have been Joanna Muncie, Brad Hayes, Dawn Tucker and Anita Edenfield.

The awards will be presented at the May annual Mental Health Celebration May 22 at 6 p.m., location TBA. In addition to the awards, there will be a program and overview of mental health programs in the community.