Upton receives recognition

Two national agencies that advocate for people in need of mental-health treatment recognized U.S. Rep. Fred Upton during a ceremony Monday in Centreville.
The National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors, and the National Association for Rural Mental Health, awarded Upton their “Outstanding Legislative Leader” acknowledgment.
It was presented by Liz O’Dell, chief executive officer of Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of St. Joseph County. She was assisted by Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite.
O’Dell said the accolade is given to honor federal legislatures who have demonstrated outstanding courage and leadership in advancing legislation that promotes the well-being of people with mental health, substance abuse and intellectual development/developmental disability conditions.
O’Dell said Upton’s support is consistent with the CMH’s effort to divert would-be jail inmates to the care of CMH instead.
Lillywhite elaborated on the effort, saying corrections officers and deputies have benefitted from having completed the 40-hour Crisis Intervention Training program.