RaeAnn Tucker from the Henry and Stark County Health Departments joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about health designations as we begin the month of May. Child Mental Health Week is celebrated from May 5th to 11th, 2025, and Nurses Week is celebrated from May 6th to 12th, 2025. Health advocates in Henry and Stark counties are spotlighting children’s mental health as part of a national awareness week from May 5th to 11th, underscoring that one in six youth nationwide faces mental illness annually. Limited resources leave many without critical care, so families are urged to seek help early. Alongside this, National Nurses Week runs from May 6th to 12th, honoring nurses’ critical roles—from bedside support to community leadership. Meanwhile, Clean Air Month brings a warning about radon dangers, with local data revealing high levels in most Stark County homes. Affordable radon test kits are available for $15 at Health Department offices in Kewanee, Colona, and Toulon.
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments and First Choice Healthcare Clinics are raising awareness during Children’s Mental Health Week from May 5th through 11th. This nationally recognized campaign shines a spotlight on the importance of mental health for children, aiming to reduce stigma and encourage community support. Statistics show that one in six US youth face mental illness yearly, with many not receiving necessary care. Half of all lifetime mental illnesses start before age 14. With resources scarce, local professionals urge families to seek support if needed.
Psychiatric nurse practitioners, mental health therapists, nurses, and supportive staff are pleased to be able to offer this support to our community. For more information, call First Choice Healthcare in Kewanee at 309-852-5272; visit their website at www.henrystarkhealth.com; or like or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Consider the following Children & Youth Mental & Behavioral Health Facts:
- 1 in 6 US youth experience mental illness each year, and only half of them receive treatment.
- 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24.
- Among US adolescents (aged 12-17), 1 in 6 experienced a major depressive episode in the last year.
- 3 million US adolescents had serious thoughts of suicide.
- The average delay between the onset of mental illness symptoms and treatment is 11 years.
- 60% of Americans are concerned about the stigma around mental illness.
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments, along with First Choice Healthcare Clinics in Kewanee, Colona, and Toulon, are commemorating National Nurses Week from May 6th to 12th. This year’s theme, “The Power Of Nurses,” highlights the vital leadership roles nurses play in health and wellness, both at the bedside and throughout their wider communities. With nurses serving in clinical services, mental health, primary care, and more, the departments invite the public to honor their compassion and ongoing dedication. For more information on the services of the Henry and Stark County Health Department and our First Choice Healthcare Clinics, call Kewanee at (309) 852-5272, Colona at (309) 792-4011 or Toulon at (309) 852-3115 or visit their website at www.henrystarkhealth.com, find them on Facebook, or Twitter.
RaeAnn Tucker, Director of Health Promotion notes, “Patients often recognize that a nurse is the health care professional with whom they and their families have the most direct contact. But they might not realize that nurses also are leaders in improving the quality of care and expanding access to care. That’s why May 6-12 is celebrated as National Nurses Week.”
As May marks Clean Air Month and Air Quality Awareness Week falls from May 4th to 10th, the Henry and Stark County Health Departments are urging residents to consider the dangers of radon. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and the second-leading cause overall. With up to 82 percent of homes in Stark County showing elevated levels, testing is vital. Radon test kits are available for $15 at Health Department offices in Kewanee, Colona, and Toulon. More information on testing and mitigation can be found at henrystarkhealth.com or by contacting your local office.
The Health Department Staff notes, “Many people don’t even know that Radon gas is such a health threat. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas present in the soil and water that can build up to dangerous levels in the home. Radon gas is odorless, colorless, tasteless, and invisible and the only way to know if a home has a radon problem is to test for it. Breathing radon can increase ones risk of lung cancer. If you are a smoker, your risk is even more heightened.”
They add, “Radon gas found in 65% of homes in Henry County and 82% of homes in Stark County. Radon is a Class A human carcinogen, meaning there is actual evidence that exposure to radon causes lung cancer. It is the cause of 20,000 lung cancer deaths in the United States annually.”
For more information on the $15 Radon Home Testing Kits, call our location nearest you: Kewanee (309) 852-0197; Colona (309) 792-4011; and Toulon 309-852-3115. Find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.