(WKBN) — Praise Thursday for a local woman who turned a personal tragedy into help for those with mental health problems.

Leaders with the Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board along with County Commissioners recognized the efforts of Terri DiGennaro as “Advocate of the Year.”

She created a program to help those with emotional or substance abuse problems through art therapy. Her son Ryan, who was an artist himself, died in 2015.