Latimer recognizes May as Mental Health Awareness Month

County Executive George Latimer officially launched the month of May as “Mental Health Awareness Month” in Westchester. The annual recognition will appear in digital form outside the Westchester County Center for the month of May, and a banner will also be displayed in the entranceway of the Michaelian Office Building. In addition, a series of other initiatives will be spearheaded by the Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH). The message of Mental Health Awareness Month is that mental health wellness is for everyone, and there are practical tools that everyone can use to improve mental health.

Latimer said: “It is critical that each year, we declare the month of May as Mental Health Month in Westchester. Promoting good mental health is more relevant today than ever, as there is often a stigma that is attached to mental health needs. We want to take time this May to turn the conversation towards wellness and resilience. I am very proud of all the wonderful work that is being done by our

County departments, our not-for-profits and private clinicians, who offer support and services to the people of Westchester. The ways to receive help are many and varied, and we applaud those who are utilizing these opportunities to improve their mental health and wellness.”

Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH) Michael Orth said: “The mental health of all Westchester County residents is a top priority. We thank County Executive Latimer for declaring May as Mental Health Awareness Month, and promoting educational opportunities and services available here. The pandemic continues to take a toll on everyone’s mental health. Knowing the signs and symptoms and who to link to if you are concerned about yourself or a loved one is an important first step in getting help.”

This year there are several forums planned including the unveiling of the Healing Garden at Ridge Road Park in Hartsdale. The May is Mental Health Awareness Month DCMH Commission- er’s Forum will be held on May 17 at the White Plains Library, Harm Reduction Virtual Training on May 18 and NAMIWalks Westchester on May 20 at Ridge Road Park in Hartsdale.

This year, in recognition of Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, DCMH together with the Department of Social Services will be hosting: 11th Annual Myra Alfreds Roundtable: Rowing in the same direction: Leveraging Youth and Family Voices for System Transformation on May 23 at the Westchester County Center. Mental Health Awareness Month is a nationwide effort to address and overcome the stigma associated with mental health needs. One in five people will experience some type of mental health illness during their lifetime, but everyone faces challenges in life that can impact their mental health.

For additional information on resources and training programs, contact the Department of Community Mental Health at 995-5220.

First In Math is a voluntary, supplemental program that offers elementary schoolers the opportunity to participate in math-based games using a fun—and educational—platform that tracks student progress and rewards youngsters for solving math problems.

To date, Kanwar, Mimatsu and McCarthy have combined to solve nearly 90,000 problems using the First in Math program.

The program is being used as a supplement to curriculum in each of Eastchester’s elementary schools and has been received enthusiastically by students and teachers alike, according to K-12 STEM Supervisor Minnie Iannuzzi.

“We are so proud of our first-grade students who qualified for the statewide First in Math Tournament in Albany,” said Iannuzzi. “Since launching in early March, Eastchester students have correctly solved over 3 million math problems; We have much to be proud of and are looking forward to sending more teams to competition next year.”

All three Waverly students attended the April 25 Board of Education meeting to receive their regional trophies, and Interim Waverly Principal Dr. Harry Laub announced that the trio’s stellar performance also resulted in a $1,000 prize for the Waverly School, which will be used for math-related support materials.

Dr. Laub believes that as promising as the initial rollout of the platform has been, student use of First in Math will only increase in the future.

“As we learn more about this program and see how motivating it is for our students, our teachers are embracing it more and more,” said Dr. Laub. “I suspect that in the next few years, you will see the program blossom in the district.”