May declared Mental Health Month

Cherokee County Mental Health Center staff members gathered on May 3 at the Cherokee Mental Health Center to witness Gaffney Mayor Henry L. Jolly signing the Proclamation declaring the month of May 2016 as Mental Health Month.

The purpose of this proclamation is to remind us that mental disorders and mental health problems affect people of all backgrounds and all stages of life, and no one is immune. Mental Health is critical for our well-being and vitality as well as that of our families, communities and businesses. The proclamation requests that the City of Gaffney make a commitment to community based systems of mental health to provide care for all residents and to raise awareness and understanding of mental health and illness.

The proclamation speaks of the Mental Wellness Partnership comprised of the Alzheimer's Association, Care Connection, Carolina Center for Behavioral Health, Charles Lea Center, Governor's Office of Continuum of Care, Mary Black Memorial Hospital ? Geropsychiatric Services, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), New Day, Inc. of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Area Mental Health (Spartanburg, Cherokee and Union), Spartanburg Regional, The P.A.C.E. Center, Mary Black Hospital Gaffney, Westgate Counseling and Consultation Network, Springbrook Healthcare, Spartanburg and Cherokee County DSS, Cherokee County School District and the Cherokee County Mental Health Association. It requests that all members of their partners observe Mental Health Month each May to raise awareness and understanding of mental health and illness.

The community is also reminded that citizens need to become involved with organizations such as the Cherokee Mental Health Association, who work to educate the community about mental illness as greater awareness can change negative attitudes and behavior toward people with mental illnesses. The Cherokee County Mental Health Association meets the first Tuesday of each month at the Cherokee Mental Health Center at 12 p.m. Anyone interested in volunteering with the Mental Health Association should contact the Cherokee Mental Health Center and speak to a staff member.