Helping those struggling with trauma and other mental health issues was the core of the agenda of the Sept. 11 Lehigh County Board of Commissioners meeting.

Before starting the discussion, a moment of silence in remembrance of the fallen and heroes of 9/11 was observed.

September is Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month. In recognizing its significance, Chair Geoff Brace took the opportunity to remind those of the county’s 988 center, which will be launched soon. Money from the American Rescue Plan is making this possible; the county is awaiting state and federal funding.

“When people find themselves in crisis in Lehigh County or contemplating suicide, if they hit 988 here in Lehigh County, it’s going to come to a local center. It’s not going to be diverted to a center in Western Pennsylvania or somewhere else,” Brace explained.

Commissioners acted on the opioid settlement by approving a motion to support the 2024 allocation plan. Once the county budget is approved, strict guidelines on collecting and reporting data on this matter will take effect.

Commissioner Jon Irons stressed the importance of collecting and analyzing data to “asses the root and impact of the pain [that] brought this settlement.”

Commissioner April Riddick added the importance of funding programs that offer help and research on drug addictions, as society will face a new crisis, like the opioid one.

A motion to support the 2023 allocation plan, drafted by the American Rescue Plan Task Force, was approved by the board. The plan, available on the county website, lists funding proposals for across the county.

Referring to the American Rescue Plan, finance committee Chair Jeffrey Dutt said, “This is not an unending amount of money or funds.”

Also at the meeting, Terri L. Nasatka was appointed to the Lehigh County Aging and Adult Services advisory council, for a term ending March 31, 2028.