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Posted May 13, 2025
Posted by Wellness Committee and Public Relations
Pottawattamie County, Iowa — The Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors has officially declared May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month, joining a national and statewide movement to reduce stigma, promote understanding, and expand access to mental health care.
The proclamation acknowledges that one in five adults in Iowa experiences a mental health condition and highlights the critical intersection between mental illness and other public health challenges—such as substance use, incarceration, and youth suicide. An estimated 44% of individuals detained in jails experience a mental illness, often with co-occurring conditions.
During the meeting, Community Services Director, Suzanne Watson, remarked on how many departments within the county play a role in supporting or providing mental health services including Community Services, Public Health, Veterans Service Office, and the county's Wellness Committee, to name a few.
“I believe it’s incredibly important to talk about mental health because it helps break down stigma and reminds people that they’re not alone,” added Nora Evans, BSN, RN, Public Health Nurse, and member of the Pottawattamie County Wellness Committee. “Just like physical health, our mental well-being affects every part of our lives, and open conversations can lead to early support and better outcomes. I myself have experienced mental health challenges, and I’ve also seen firsthand how mental health challenges can affect entire families—not just the individual—and that’s a big part of why I’m passionate about raising awareness.”
As part of this month’s awareness efforts, the county encourages residents and employees to wear green throughout May, especially on Wear Green Day, Thursday, May 15, to show solidarity and support those living with mental health conditions. The Pottawattamie County Courthouse will also be lit green from May 18–31, with green symbolizing hope, renewal, growth, and recovery.
Earlier this month, Pottawattamie County also participated in the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative's ‘Chalk the Town Green’ event by sharing uplifting and encouraging mental health messages in chalk around the county campus in Council Bluffs. This effort aimed to spread hope, spark conversation, and visually reinforce the importance of mental wellness for all.
Residents are encouraged to visit https://iowahealthieststate.com/make-it-ok to learn how to have stigma-free conversations, access local resources, and support friends and loved ones in need.
Pottawattamie County is proud to be a registered workplace with the Make It OK community campaign and remains committed to enhancing mental health resources through crisis intervention programs, equitable access initiatives, and partnerships across the region. The Board of Supervisors calls on all citizens, organizations, and institutions to help create a culture where it’s OK to talk about mental health—and even more importantly, OK to ask for help.
With treatment, recovery is possible. With community, stigma can be overcome.
If you are looking for support, Your Life Iowa is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whether it's suicidal thoughts or general mental health, you can reach judgement free support by calling 855-581-8111 or texting 855-895-8398. To learn more about Your Life Iowa, visit https://yourlifeiowa.org.
