The staff of Michigan’s community mental health agencies aren’t sitting at their desks waiting for the phone to ring. They are out in their communities letting people know that mental health care is within reach. One shining example, St. Clair County Community Mental Health (CMH) has a full line up of events, classes, media appearances, and partnerships with community organizations that fulfill its mission of “Providing opportunities for health, wellness and connection.” 

Throughout the year, St. Clair County CMH offers Mental Health First Aid classes for adults, first responders, and youth. The Obama administration rolled out Mental Health First Aid training in the wake of the Sept. 16, 2013 Washington D.C. Navy Yard shooting. Deb Johnson, CEO, St. Clair County CMH, was visiting Washington DC for a Hill Day on mental Health with legislators at the time of  the shooting — the shooter lived with mental illness. 

A free public education program, Mental Health First Aid shares risk factors and warning signs while teaching how to provide initial help during a mental health challenge or crisis. St. Clair County CMH’s upcoming training sessions are listed here. Organizations, schools, or businesses can also schedule a training with the CMH by request. 
Deb Johnson
“We also do a host of other trainings in the community with local school districts and businesses,” Johnson says. “We do a ton of community outreach and education.”

Johnson takes part in monthly WPHM 1380 AM radio and cable television programs. And the CMH hosts many community events, like those coming up this winter and spring.

Veterans' services

On Feb. 26, THRIVE: Resilience Fundamentals invites veterans, first responders, family members, and veteran service providers and others who support the military community to a specialized training focusing on veterans. 

“We have a lot of veterans’ services,” Johnson says “Our staff and psychiatrists provide a lot of specialized treatment for veterans with PTSD and those on medications. Even though the federal government has stopped authorizing veterans for services here, we are continuing to see many of them using our general fund dollars.”

On the ice

On March 21, the CMH will partner with the Port Huron Prowlers hockey team to host the Faceoff for Mental Health, a mental health awareness event during a game at Port Huron’s McMorran Place Sports and Entertainment Center. 

“Some years back, the Prowlers offered to put up a huge sign in their ice arena about St. Clair County CMH and how to access our services — and to partner on this hockey game night,” Johnson says. 

The game not only raises awareness about mental wellness and mental health access but also raises money for mental health causes. Proceeds from this year’s Faceoff will benefit the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Blue Water Area Chapter.


The Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies Run for Recovery focuses on the connection between mind and body.

In the streets

On May 10, St. Clair County CMH hosts its 17th Annual Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies Run for Recovery. The event focuses on the connection between mind and body with a one-mile kids run, two-mile walk, and certified 5K race that raises support for NAMI Blue Water Area and Blue Water Recovery and Outreach Center. Past runs have included professional athletes who shared how they overcame mental health struggles. 

“It's a fun day of celebrating the community with a lot of excitement and adrenaline,” Johnson says. “We have music with local school bands and the drum line from Port Huron Northern High School.”

Celebrating 60 years

A very special May 21, 2025 event, St. Clair County CMH will mark its 60th anniversary with a celebration at the Blue Water Convention Center. Johnson has worked for the CMH for the past 37 of those years and is pleased with how her staff have woven the CMH into the fabric of the community they serve. 

“We've grown tremendously since the beginning. When I first came to work here in ’88, we were not an authority. We only became an authority in 2000. This helped us position better for a managed care environment," Johnson says. "When I first started here, there were less than 200 employees and now there's almost 500.  We have people all over the county, one location in Capac, two in Marine City, two in Port Huron, and then we also contract with other agencies.”

The 60th anniversary celebration also will showcase entries from St. Clair County CMH’s Creative Arts Contest, which invites K through 12 students in the community to submit visual art and poetry. The goal of the contest is to educate both young people and adults about the value of connecting mind and body, especially individuals who live with mental illnesses, intellectual or developmental disabilities, or substance use disorders.

“Community is invited. Our staff are invited. We're going to create a video of our timeline from the beginning, 1965. It will look at how far we've come in the mental health world," Johnson says. "Back in the day, many people with mental illnesses and intellectual or developmental disabilities were locked away in psychiatric institutions.”

Johnson relates the story of how St. Clair County CMH staff drove a young woman, who had been institutionalized at a state facility for many years, all the way to California to live with her family members because of stringent airline policies then in place. 

“She was our last person that we needed to get out,” Johnson says. “We all know now that there's a better way for people — inclusion, diversity — all those things are great things.”

Estelle Slootmaker spends most workdays as a journalist and book editor. You can contact her at Estelle.Slootmaker@gmail.com or www.constellations.biz. 

Photos courtesy St. Clair County Community Mental Health

The MI Mental Health series highlights the opportunities that Michigan's children, teens, and adults of all ages have to find the mental health help they need, when and where they need it. It is made possible with funding from the Community Mental Health Association of Michigan, Center for Health and Research Transformation, LifeWays, Michigan Health and Hospital Association, Northern Lakes Community Mental Health Authority, OnPoint, Sanilac County Community Mental Health, St. Clair County Community Mental Health, Summit Pointe, and Washtenaw County Community Mental Health and Public Safety Preservation Millage.