BY KEITH LIPPOLDT
klippoldt@gbtribune.com
The County Commission room was full of patrons Tuesday morning as three groups were on the Board of County Commissioners agenda.
Presenters for National Prevention Week, Mental Health Awareness Month and National Bike Month were all in attendance to read their respective Proclamations and be recognized by the Barton Commissioners.
National Prevention Week
Tyler Morton, Prevention Advocate of the 20th Judicial District Juvenile Services was joined by Central Kansas Partnership task force members and area teens to present this Proclamation. Morton introduced his representatives and addressed the Commissioners about the trends they are seing across the nation and in Barton County.
“According to the 2023 National Survey of Drug Use and Health, an estimated 167.2 million Americans, ages 12 and older, used tobacco, vape, nicotine, alcohol or used illicit drugs within the past month,” Morton reported. “Just to give you guys perspective of what we’re seeing around the country, Kansas has been doing a great job as far as prevention efforts and getting our data to be better. When we did this last year, Kansas was ranked last. Now it’s ranked 22nd according to the 2024 State of Mental Health in America. Kansas ranked 22nd in mental health overall. So like I said, we went from being dead last to 22nd, also a vast improvement. Kansas is ranked 16th in terms of youth reporting at least one major depressive episode, 4.02% of youth in Kansas report having a substance abuse problem. The national average is 4.08%. Kind of put that in perspective with how we compare it to the rest of the country, and why the services that we’re bringing to not only our county, but also our state as well, are helping to improve these statistics dramatically.”
Morton said in Barton County, 17.3% of adults reported they’ve been strained, with 15.4% of residents surveyed reporting they are in frequent mental distress. Of those surveyed, 17% of residents reported they are in fair or poor health.
“The big survey that we use is called the Kansas Communities That Care survey, and we have the results back from the most recent,” Morton said. “Barton County has a lower percentage than the state rate for students in grades 6-8, 10th and 12th, for alcohol, vaping, marijuana and prescription drug use. So that’s the good news. Since 2022 we’ve seen these trends go down, which is awesome. We’ve stayed below the state average, which means that our efforts are working, but what we need to be working on a little bit more, and what we would ask for your support on a little bit more, is collecting data. We need more participation in Barton County in Health Awareness surveys.”
After the group read the Proclamation, Commissioner Barb Esfeld said, “I wanted you all to know that I’m proud of you for participating in Youth Crew and Rise Up. It takes time away from what you guys could be doing for fun, but it’s very rewarding as you graduate and move through the school system. But also appreciate the collaboration of The Center and Rise Up to work with Youth Crew and Juvenile Services that make this all possible for you guys. You’re doing a good job.”
After further discussion, Esfeld motioned to adopt the Proclamation. It was seconded by Commissioner Duane Reif and it carried 5-0.
Mental Health Awareness Month
Holly Bowyer, Accounting Specialist for The Center presented details to the Commissioners about the prevalence of mental health conditions in our community while recognizing the need for intervention, awareness and inclusivity.
Bowyer said this week is Health Awareness Week (May 12-16) and there have been activities planned throughout the week.
“Our big event is Mental Health Awareness Day, Tuesday, May 20,” Bowyer said. “We’ll be here on the courthouse square from 3:30-7:30 p.m. We have about 20 other businesses that are coming to talk about the resources available in the community. We’re providing hot dogs and popcorn while supplies last, and it’s very family oriented. We want people to know the resources that are right here in their community if they do need to reach out for help. Our agency, of course, will have our booths with information about how to get started. And the theme this year is “Turn Awareness into Action.” And so we are gearing up, along with all the changes we have at the Center.”
Reading from the Proclamation, Bowyer said “Be it proclaimed, in collaboration with the Center for Counseling and Consultation that the Barton County Commissioners recognized May 25 as Mental Health Month in Barton County, Kansas, and
further that, the Commission encourages all residents of Barton County to educate themselves and others about mental health conditions, treatment options and available resources. Challenge stigma by speaking respectfully and inclusively about mental health. Seek help if they are struggling with their mental health, and encourage others to do the same. Support organizations that provide mental health services and advocacy and create safe and supportive environments for open conversations about mental health. Together, we can create a community where everyone feels empowered to prioritize their mental well being and seek help when needed.”
Commission Chair Tricia Schlessiger stated, “This is another important Proclamation. It seems like everyone knows someone who has mental health issues and needs help.”
Commissioner Shawn Hutchinson motioned to adopt the Proclamation and it was seconded by Commissioner Donna Zimmerman. It carried 5-0.
National Bike Month
Beth Frizzell from the Barton County Health Department gave a short history lesson on the local Youth Mountain Biking team, the Golden Belt Badgers, that was started this year. The team, made up of youth in grades 6-12, is part of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA). In addition to riding the races and scoring points by getting on the podium, they score points by doing Team Trail Corps. In Team Trail Corps, the youth are involved in building and maintaining our trail systems, and so our youth are working toward keeping our trails clean and safe and building new trails. And here locally, we practice at the Rotary Trail as well as Lake Barton. We’re trying to build biking in our community through this league.”
The Proclamation began, “Whereas the bicycle is an economical and environmentally sound form of transportation and an excellent tool for health, recreation and enjoyment of Barton County scenic beauty and, Whereas, maintaining a bicycling friendly community has been shown to improve citizens health, well being and quality of life, growing the economy of Barton County, attracting tourism dollars, improving traffic safety, supporting student learning outcomes and reducing pollution, congestion and wear and tear on streets and roads and, Whereas, Be Well Barton County, the Barton County Commission, the League of American Bicyclists, schools, parks and recreation departments, police departments, public health districts, hospitals, private businesses and civic groups will promote bicycling during the month of May 2025, and throughout the remainder of the year. Now therefore, be it proclaimed by the Barton County commissioners of Barton County, Kansas, that May 2025, is Bike Month in Barton County. And further, citizens are urged to be mindful of bicyclists in an effort to reduce collisions, injuries and fatalities and improve health and safety for everyone on the road, and further that citizens are reminded that biking is a low impact form of exercise and can help protect citizens from serious diseases such as stroke, heart attack, some cancers, depression, diabetes, obesity and arthritis.”
Before making the motion, Commissioner Donna Zimmerman said, “I spend a fair amount of time at Lake Wilson, and you know, there’s always been bike trails up there. I’ve seen for years and years people making use of those trails. I’ve noticed recently, entire families with children out riding up there. That’s really a great thing to see.”
Zimmerman’s motion was seconded by Esfeld and passed 5-0.
