Clatsop County proclaims Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week and Emergency Medical Services Week

The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners on May 2026 approved proclamations recognizing Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week and Emergency Medical Services Week.

Shalyn Banks, identified in the meeting as Miss Clatsop County Teen 2026, addressed the board during the children’s mental health proclamation. Banks said national data show “1 in 6 kids experience mental health concerns each year, and 70 percent of those children do not receive adequate care,” and urged that discussing the issue helps reduce stigma and expand access to pediatric mental-health services in rural communities.

Justin Gibson, introduced to the board as the county’s ambulance service-area administrator and management director, spoke for the EMS proclamation, praising clinicians’ advanced skills and urging community support for life-saving services. Gibson described EMS clinicians’ contributions “well before the patient reaches the hospital” and called on residents to make choices that reduce emergency demand.

Both proclamations were moved, seconded and adopted by voice vote. The board recorded no public testimony on either proclamation. The board next moved on to other agenda business.