Westmoreland County residents to get behavioral health honors

Several community members and organizations will be honored by Mental Health America of Southwestern Pennsylvania next month.

The award recipients will be recognized for their contributions to behavioral health at the agency’s annual Innovations event May 2.

Being honored with the lifetime achievement award is Dr. Loren H. Roth, a distinguished professor emeritus of psychiatry with the University of Pittsburgh and a consultant for UPMC at Western Psychiatric Hospital. His devotion to patients and research are among the reasons for his award, according to a biography provided by the agency.

Westmoreland Community Action’s retired director Tay Waltenbaugh is being honored for his role in the community through efforts to reduce poverty and help those in need. Waltenbaugh, of Hempfield, worked at the Greensburg agency for nearly 30 years and retired in 2019.

The Pittsburgh Ballet Theater is being honored for its role in education with adapted performances suited for audiences with special needs.

Deborah Thackrah, founder and president of Greensburg nonprofit Feeding the Spirit, is being recognized for prevention. Feeding the Spirit has a weekly meal at Otterbein United Methodist Church in Greensburg and also distributes cold-weather gear, provides crisis housing and helps with rent and bill payments.

Sage’s Army, led by Carmen Capozzi, is being honored for its work in the recovery community. The advocacy group was born after Capozzi’s 20-year-old son Sage died from a drug overdose in 2012. Sage’s Army has a helpline that helps callers locate substance abuse treatment and support groups. Capozzi speaks about awareness at schools, organizations and businesses.