By ELIZABETH NESTOR

Our county has been given an extraordinary opportunity to not only learn more about mental health but also attempt to normalize it and show others that feeling how you feel is normal, feeling how I feel is normal and we don't always feel the same. With the help of a seven month virtual mental health series by Active Minds Speakers, we can start to change the mindset around mental health. This speaker series is presented by Clinton County Government and was made possible by the Health Initiative for Rural Pa. Grant through the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health.

This series began in April of this year with Alison Malmon, the CEO of Active Minds speaking on the issue of stigma surrounding mental health. The biggest takeaway from Ms. Malmon's presentation was that young people are struggling and it's important that we receive the help we need, even if we're too scared or prideful to ask for it. It was mentioned that young individuals are known to have the least stigmatizing attitude but do not know how to help someone in need beyond being a shoulder to cry on.

The next guest was Abraham Sculley speaking on how to process, express or talk about emotions you aren't used to feeling or being exposed to. He also shared that it is okay to open up to those who care and want to help. Having and prioritizing your mental health DOES NOT make you weak or any less yourself. If anything it makes you stronger and more comfortable with who you are.

The third speaker, Anthony Sartori, informed us on the importance of having a stable and nontoxic work environment. Promoting mental health in the workplace is very important and should be included in all levels of employment. Receiving a poor reaction from leaders can lead to poor performance at work and in other parts of your life. The speaker for the month of June was Dr. Kristen Lee. Dr. Lee provided strategies to help us to improve our mental health and think about what other things we could do to help ourselves.

Clinton County Commissioner Miles Kessinger expressed the need for more mental health resources in our community. "This speaker series is the first step in bringing awareness to the ever growing need and acknowledging the importance of mental health."

The Rural Health Subcommittee, who organized and budgeted the grant funds, was formed out of the Clinton County Community Coalition. The coalition was created in 2020 at the onset of the pandemic to bring community leaders and stakeholders together; to discuss public safety and share information through the crisis. The coalition still meets on a monthly basis. The subcommittee consists of: Bucktail Medical Center, Tim Reeves; Clinton County Department of Emergency Services, Andrew Kremser; Planning, Beth Whitty; Commissioners, Angela Harding; Housing Authority, Jeff Rich; Keystone Counseling, Sarah Santucci; Keystone Central School District, Christina Manning; and Lock Haven University, Jessica Abernathy. The Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health is based out of Penn State University.

Clinton County Commissioner Jeff Snyder shared his thoughts on the importance of normalizing mental health. "We have to get past the stigma of not asking for help. We must also reduce the stigma that mental health is negative. Mental health is a state of well-being and it is about how we educate ourselves to deal with it." Snyder continued, "We all have a time in our lives that we need someone to talk to. No one should have to suffer in silence."

There will be a speaker for each month of this year up until Nov. 8. More Active Minds with very meaningful knowledge to share with us all. Talking about things like Men and Mental Health (July 26), Suicide Prevention (Aug. 16), Self-Care/Recovery (Sept. 20), Youth Mental Health (Oct. 11) and Veteran & First Responders Mental Health (Nov. 8).

Committee member Andrew Kremser, director of the Clinton County Department of Emergency Services, feels that the information being shared throughout the series is a big step in the right direction. "Staff being made aware of the information being provided gives them better insight for their personal and work lives and a better understanding of what they and the community are experiencing;" he continued, "public safety is a high stress industry, learning and being able to cope with that stress is very positive, it is good for us."

The goal of the series is to educate and give everyone more information on such an important topic in the world today. Committee member Tim Reeves, CEO of Bucktail Medical Center, shared what he believed the series is doing for the healthcare heroes in our county. "I believe this series provides resources for our healthcare workers to begin a long process of recovery and healing."

In order for us to understand how our neighbors, friends and even how we may feel the community is encouraged to tune in to the series. You can listen to the previous speakers on the Clinton County website (clintoncountypa.gov) under the resources tab. All upcoming speakers are live on the Clinton County Government Facebook page. After the monthly program is shown live it is moved to the resource page previously mentioned.

Angela Harding, Clinton County Commissioner and my summer internship supervisor, helped spearhead the coalition and speaker series. "I think it is important to understand and acknowledge that mental health touches every single person. There is no age, gender or financial barrier to who struggles at different points in their lives. Once we start changing the mindset about mental health, we can start helping each other through it," Harding said.

To her point, Christina Manning, administrator at Keystone Central School District, shared how the Rural Health grant is helping students in our schools, "this past school year we were able to use the Rural Health grant to develop a counseling room for peer support groups. Students found comfort in knowing they are not alone in their struggles and can relate to others facing similar issues."

The grant was also able to help the Sugar Valley Rural Charter School purchase materials for helping students with mental health issues.

I was asked to share my own perspective on mental health as a 15-year-old soon to be sophomore at Central Mountain High School. I am enrolled in the Health Assisting Program and am interested in health care, both physical and mental health. I have had my share of the bully or the mean girl. I have been unhappy with the way I look or even act. I can honestly say that having people around, teachers, friends, family, acquaintances who grin as you cross paths, can make all the difference. Having someone to talk to and share your feelings with is important. Don't hide away and let feelings build up until you break. I know it can be hard trusting someone with your feelings, but it's important to try; otherwise, how will you get better? Suppressing your emotions can cause a list of other issues whether it is sadness, grief or frustration it could lead to physical stress on your body. Referring back to the upcoming dates, on Oct. 11, Dayna Altman will be speaking on Youth Mental Health. If you as a teen are struggling or maybe a parent or guardian with a child struggling, I strongly advise you to take a listen. All of these speakers have had very meaningful knowledge to share, and this topic is especially important for the sake of us and future generations.

Elizabeth Nestor, a CMHS sophomore, lives in Lock Haven with her family, works at Belles Springs Golf Course and is doing a paid summer internship with Commissioner Angela Harding through the PA Careerlink "Bridges to the Future" program.