Officer receives advocacy award

Joseph Sylvester was named mental health agency director of the year.

YOUNGSTOWN — Sgt. Michael Crettella, of the Youngstown State University Police Department, has been recognized as advocate of the year by the Mahoning County Mental Health Board.

Also recognized at the mental health board’s annual awards luncheon, was Joseph Sylvester as agency director of the year. Sylvester is executive director of Turning Point Counseling Services.

The advocate award is given to the individual who best exemplifies advocacy on behalf of individuals struggling with mental health issues, said Ronald Marian, executive director of the mental health board.

Crettella is a training coordinator for the Crisis Intervention Team of Mahoning County, which educates and trains local police departments on nonviolent interventions in situations involving people with mental illness. Crettella also interacts with local mental health agencies to help further the behavioral health needs of Mahoning County residents, Marian said.

As head of Turning Point Counseling, Sylvester has developed innovative programs to address the behavioral health needs of families, Marian said.

Recipients of the board’s Eagle awards, given to people who promote positive changes in the lives of consumers dealing with mental health issues, are:

U Cara Stephens, substance abuse and mental illness team leader from Meridian Services, a clinician and advocate for people with dual disorders.

U Sister Pauline Dalpe from Catholic Charities Regional Agency, chosen for her work in developing a comprehensive grief and bereavement program.

U Lynn Van Such, director of emergency services at Turning Point, responsible for coordinating emergency behavioral health services in Mahoning County.

The board also announced a new program, the Mahoning County Network of Care, to assist consumers and their families to help manage the symptoms of mental illness, said Toni Notaro, board spokeswoman.

The board, with funding through Ohio’s Mental Health Transformation State Incentive Grant, has established an online resource that provides information, communication and advocacy tools atwww.ohio.networkofcare.org.

The Network of Care site provides comprehensive directories of service providers in Mahoning County and enables consumers and families to find mental health information and identify available services, supports and community resources to help with their mental health needs. It also provides access to several other sources of information and assistance, Notaro said.

alcorn@vindy.com