May is Mental Health Awareness Month in Webster County, as the Board of Supervisors unanimously proclaimed May 6.
The approved resolution proclaims that the mental health of every citizen is essential to the emotional and economic prosperity of families, communities and businesses in the county.
The board calls on citizens, government agencies, public and private institutions, business and schools in Webster County to recommit to increasing awareness and understanding of mental health, and to recognize the necessity of accessible and appropriate mental health services for all people in Webster County.
Representatives of Community Counseling Services presented an overview of its services and the economic impact of CCS to the board on May 6. CCS is based in West Point and serves seven counties, including Webster. “A Year in Review” shows that:
• 5,603 individuals were served in 2018 in the CCS service area.
• 397 of these individuals are in Webster County.
• CCS’ annual fiscal budget (October 2018-September 2019) is $22.97 million.
• CCS Webster County’s budget is $743,525.
• Webster County has 10 full-time CCS employees with annual salaries of $346,326.
• In 2018, CCS helped drive over $31.5 million in economic impact and $3.1 million in indigent services.
• The Webster County Board of Supervisors contributes $20,000 in millage money annually toward this total.
• CCS is not a state agency and no money is directly allocated to community mental health centers in the state budget.
