Hamilton County proclaims May Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week; providers urge more support
May 08, 2026 | Hamilton County, Ohio
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The Board of County Commissioners of Hamilton County on May 7 proclaimed May 2026 as National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week and heard from county mental-health partners who urged continued investment in services for young people.
Commissioner Denise Treehouse said the county has seen “significant increases and challenges for youth when it comes to mental-health issues” since COVID and called the topic “one of the most significant issues in our county.” The proclamation named local partners including Journey to Successful Living and the Hamilton County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board.
Linda Gallagher, of the Hamilton County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board, introduced partner organizations and said the observance highlights recovery, resilience and coordinated services for transition-age youth. George Guy, identified as CEO of Lighthouse Youth and Family Services, thanked the board for its leadership and said the agencies “want to be on the table to make sure that we’re doing more because we know that more is needed.”
A young person who identified themselves as Kylen described navigating the system and the importance of community support, saying, “it takes a village just to keep ourselves standing.” Kylen spoke about diagnoses, medication and relying on friends and services to stay supported.
Why it matters: County officials and provider organizations said demand for youth mental-health services has grown; the proclamation, partner remarks and a promise of continued advocacy by the board signal attention and potential coordination among local providers and county agencies. The board said the Job and Family Services director will appear at a future meeting to discuss allocations and expenditures related to human-services programming.
The board took photographs with the partners after the presentations and did not take a formal vote on policy changes during the proclamation segment.
Commissioner Denise Treehouse said the county has seen “significant increases and challenges for youth when it comes to mental-health issues” since COVID and called the topic “one of the most significant issues in our county.” The proclamation named local partners including Journey to Successful Living and the Hamilton County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board.
Linda Gallagher, of the Hamilton County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board, introduced partner organizations and said the observance highlights recovery, resilience and coordinated services for transition-age youth. George Guy, identified as CEO of Lighthouse Youth and Family Services, thanked the board for its leadership and said the agencies “want to be on the table to make sure that we’re doing more because we know that more is needed.”
A young person who identified themselves as Kylen described navigating the system and the importance of community support, saying, “it takes a village just to keep ourselves standing.” Kylen spoke about diagnoses, medication and relying on friends and services to stay supported.
Why it matters: County officials and provider organizations said demand for youth mental-health services has grown; the proclamation, partner remarks and a promise of continued advocacy by the board signal attention and potential coordination among local providers and county agencies. The board said the Job and Family Services director will appear at a future meeting to discuss allocations and expenditures related to human-services programming.
The board took photographs with the partners after the presentations and did not take a formal vote on policy changes during the proclamation segment.
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