Changemaker Awards Honor Mental Health, Substance Use Disorder Helpers

DUPAGE COUNTY — Two residents and two organizations were recently honored by the DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) with Changemaker Awards for their efforts to help those with substance use disorder and mental health issues.

The awards were given by the county's Prevention Leadership Team (PLT), which is dedicated to fostering initiatives that improve the health and safety of young people through DuPage County.

The organization's Teen Changemaker Award was given to Leila Nehra. The Glenbard East senior was recognized for her "leadership in spreading awareness of substance use prevention and mental health initiatives among her peers in D87 shows her commitment to positive change," a news release from DCHD said.

Receiving the organization's Adult Changemaker Award for 2023 was Felicia Miceli, who works with organizations throughout DuPage County to promote drug overdose awareness and prevention. Miceli has worked with Serenity House, LTM Foundation and more.

Milton Township was honored with the Community Changemaker Award to recognize its Mental Health Board's "commitment to mental health and substance use prevention," DCHD's news release said.

Rounding out the recipients was College of DuPage (COD), which received the Organizational Changemaker Award. COD's designation comes amid ongoing efforts to provide students with resources for help with mental health and substance use disorders.

"We're proud to honor these changemakers for their hard work," DuPage County Prevention Leadership Team's Project Coordinator Jordan Esser shared in a statement, "They inspire us to make our youth's future brighter and healthier."