Summit County Executive Russ Pry is launching a campaign to boost awareness of local mental health and mental illness.
The county executive used his ninth annual State of the County speech Thursday to announce the kick-off this summer of the Summit County Change Direction Campaign.
It’s an offshoot of the national Campaign to Change Direction, which aims to improve the discussion about mental health, mental illness and wellness in the country.
“Did you know that one in five Americans has a diagnosable mental health disorder and sadly, only 40 percent receive the help they need?” Pry asked an audience of about 660 gathered at the John S. Knight Convention Center.
“The goal of the Campaign to Change Direction is to change the culture of mental health so that all of those in need receive the care and support they deserve.”
The local dialogue will begin July 22 at an event called Taking Mental Health to Main Street. It will involve closing down a portion of Main Street in downtown Akron and providing high-profile educational speakers and booths. There also are events being planned the following two days with other communities and faith-based groups.
The campaign, which is supported by first lady Michelle Obama, urges people to recognize five signs of emotional suffering: a change in personality, agitation, withdrawal, decline in personal care and hopelessness.
“They are simple, observable signs that everyone can see and everyone can learn,” Pry said. “When we see that someone is suffering emotionally, it is up to us to show compassion, to reach out, connect and offer to help.”
The Campaign to Change Direction website — www.changedirection.org — says more Americans are expected to die this year by suicide than in car accidents.
The community needs to talk about mental illness and stop stigmatizing it, said Jerry Craig, executive director at the Summit County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health agency.
“Stigma is probably the biggest barrier to people seeking treatment,” said Craig, who is helping lead the local effort.
Pry spent the majority of his 45-minute speech revisiting county projects and initiatives, ranging from the animal shelter to the new Firestone Triangle Building to the Summit County Land Bank.
He also touched on two major ongoing challenges in the infant mortality rate and heroin overdoses.
After his speech, Pry took several questions from the audience on a variety of topics, including:
• The upcoming Republican National Convention in Cleveland: “Our hope ... is that there will be a lot of people in Summit County spending a lot of money and adding to our sales tax base,” he said.
• The Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron: The county needs to help figure out how to turn it into a success, he said.
• A downtown arena: “Talk to Mayor [Dan] Horrigan,” he joked.
There are no ongoing talks about the arena, and Pry sees promoting downtown living, and improving the office vacancy rate, among the more pressing issues.
• Akron-owned golf courses and Akron Fulton International Airport: When asked if he thinks the county could have a role in operating those assets in the future, he responded, “No.”
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter at @armonrickABJ.