Lycoming County proclaims Corrections Employees Week and Mental Health Awareness Month

The Lycoming County Commissioners read and approved two proclamations during their meeting: one designating May 3–9, 2026, as Corrections Employees Week and another proclaiming May 2026 as Mental Health Awareness Month.

The corrections proclamation cited the historical development of Pennsylvania's correctional system and recognized the work of roughly 30,000 correctional professionals at federal, state and county levels in the Commonwealth. A county official introduced the warden, who accepted the proclamation "on behalf of the correctional employees of Lycoming County," thanked staff and partners, and described small, local acknowledgements such as special meals for staff.

Commissioner Busina read a proclamation on Mental Health Awareness Month that referenced Centers for Disease Control and National Institute of Mental Health statistics about the onset of mental illness and suicide risks among young people. A representative from NAMI North Central Pennsylvania (identified by organizational role in the meeting but not by personal name in the transcript) thanked commissioners, described local programs including an annual suicide-prevention walk and peer-support events, and urged year-round attention to mental health and outreach to youth.

Commissioners and presenters emphasized school-based programs, the Safe to Say reporting program administered through the attorney general's office, and local outreach such as "coffee and conversations" intended to reduce stigma and connect people to services. The board posed for proclamation photos and thanked participants; no formal votes beyond the reading and acceptance of proclamations were recorded beyond the customary move/second/"aye" process.