43
Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board recognizes hard work of mental health professionals
YOUNGSTOWN
Local leaders from judges to congressional-office representatives to treatment- center directors paused from their work for an hour Thursday to recognize the hard work of those who serve people dealing with mental-health issues and addiction.
The Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board gave five awards at its “May is Mental Month” celebration.
New Middletown Police Chief Vincent D’Egidio, who was invited to speak about Crisis Intervention Team training, was surprised to learn that he is the 2015 CIT advocate award winner.
He said police don’t always understand mental health problems or how to deal with them.
“When we started getting involved with the crisis- intervention training ... what a difference that made,” D’Egidio said. “We realized we needed to be advocates for [people dealing with mental-health issues] too.”
All of his officers have gone through CIT training or will go through it in June.
The 2015 Eagle Award went to Dr. Pradeep Mathur, who serves as a staff psychiatrist at Belmont Pines and is the medical director and CEO of Comprehensive Psychiatry Group.
Dr. Mathur was recognized for his commitment to helping not only his patients but their family members, and for always dedicating as much time to his patients as they need.
Jonnette Welch, who has worked with people with disabilities for more than 30 years and works on the Crisis Residential Unit for Horizon House, was honored with the 2015 Vanguard Award for her role as a “front line” worker.
The Adult Advocate Award went to Magistrate Richard Machuga, who works for Probate Judge Robert Rusu. He was recognized for displaying “the highest standards when executing [his] professional duties,” said board chairman Edgar Manning.
Shirley Ferguson, a social worker for D&E Counseling Center, was the recipient of the Children’s Advocate Award.
“She has been one of the key players in our community for developing a network of early-child professionals that can share and promote her passion for the success of young children,” said Manning.