Centerstone staff urges recognition of mental-health and addiction needs in Marion

A Centerstone staff member said denying mental-health and addiction problems does not solve them and highlighted local services for residents of Marion and Williams County.

Using a Navy analogy — "When people have issues, mental, emotional, addictive ... there are a lot of ways to address it, to put out that fire" — the speaker argued communities must acknowledge those issues in order to help people. "Denying its existence is not one of them," the staff member said.

The speaker identified Centerstone as one of several agencies serving Marion and Williams County and expressed gratitude for the organization's work: "I'm grateful to be part of this organization. I'm grateful for the work that I've seen them do in the lives of so many people." No formal action or vote accompanied the remarks.

The meeting record does not specify next steps or any formal commitments from local officials arising from the comments.