CENTRE COUNTY — Centre County Commissioners on Aug. 26 adopted two proclamations recognizing September as National Recovery Month and Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month, and Sept. 10 as Suicide Awareness and Prevention Day, underscoring a countywide push to reduce stigmas and connect residents to help celebrate recovery.
Proclamation 39 also recognized Aug. 31 as International Overdose Awareness Day.
“We welcome families and friends to share stories and pictures and memories of their loved ones,” Karri Hull, Director of Criminal Justice Planning said, noting the annual candlelight remembrance ceremony was set for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, at Talleyrand Park in Bellefonte. “These are our community members that we have lost… we deserve to remember them on this evening.”
Since 2013, more than 50,000 Pennsylvanians have died of drug overdoses, including 181 in Centre County, according to Hull. It is estimated that one Pennsylvanian dies of overdose every two hours.
Commissioners praised the county’s treatment and harm-reduction efforts, including naloxone distribution and the medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program at the Centre County Correctional Facility.
“One of the things about the MAT program is it addresses [relapse risk] while they are in our care so they can have a better chance of survival and a healthy outcome when they get out,” said Commissioner Steven Dershem.
Proclamation 40 centers on suicide prevention.
“Anytime that we can use our collective voice for a cause where we can come together and really make a difference, it’s important,” said Marisa Vicere of the Jana Marie Foundation, who shared that she lost her sister in 2011 and two cousins to suicide. “These months are so much more than just those 30 days… we are all working together to help everybody be able to thrive with the tools and resources that they have.”
The Jana Marie Foundation outlined some September events and trainings:
• Sept. 10 — “An Evening of Hope, Healing and Remembrance,” Boalsburg Fire Hall; free community dinner at 5:30 p.m., program at 6:30 p.m., candle lighting to close.
• Sept. 20 — “With a Little Help From Our Friends” annual concert, celebrating resilience and belonging.
Year-round, there are free trainings including Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR), Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) and Mental Health First Aid.
“It’s not a huge time commitment, but it teaches three steps that anyone can use to help save a life,” Vicere said. CALM focuses on creating safer environments through practical steps like secure medication storage and gun safety.
Commissioners emphasized that talking about suicide can save lives and highlighted the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
“Suicide is one of the leading causes of death across every age range in the county,” Commissioner Mark Higgins said. “Here in Centre County, Centre Helps has the highest answer rate in the Commonwealth at 99%.”
Higgins added that the county works closely with Jana Marie Foundation, MH/ID, Drug & Alcohol, school districts and dozens of human-services nonprofits. Officials also noted the intersection of mental health and substance use and urged residents to seek help early.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988.
