ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Friday is World Mental Health Day, and the City of Allentown is raising awareness about mental illness.
In a news conference on Friday at the Allentown Health Bureau, Mayor Matt Tuerk said, “it’s rough out there,” and that the city is working to help people struggling with anxiety, depression, and other issues.
Lehigh County Coroner Dan Buglio said so far this year, 48 people have died by suicide.
He said his office has a bereavement coordinator who helps families who’ve lost a loved one to suicide.
“They will offer services, counseling services, if something can be covered by insurance or low-cost or no-cost. We have driven two families home as far as Reading, Hazleton to get next-of-kin services they need,” said Buglio.
Other speakers included State Representative Mike Schlossberg, who opened up about his mental health struggles, and the executive director of the Lehigh Valley branch of the National Alliance on Mental Health.