When 16-year-old Bryce Warner took his own life in August 2015, just days before the start of classes at Milton-Union High School, his family and friends were devastated. But with resolve and a sense of purpose, they rallied together to raise awareness of mental health and suicide prevention.

Because Bryce had been a cross country and track athlete, the Free the Mind/Anchor the Soul (FMAS) 5K walk and run was inaugurated July 4, 2016, to raise funds and awareness, and has been held annually ever since.

The July 4 5K walk/run, now in its seventh year, directs proceeds to mental health and suicide prevention education, and to Bryce Warner Scholarship Fund. Registration is $30 on race day. Participants who pre-register by June 23 will receive a $3 discount plus a commemorative T-shirt. Teams of 7 or more can also get a discount.

Cash prizes are awarded for top finishers and in a number of age categories. For complete details and to register, go to freethemindanchorthesoul.com.

Since the start of the 5K, proceeds and donations have been used to fund Youth Mental Health First Aid classes, billboards promoting a Crisis Text Line (741741), nationally-known speaker Ross Szabo talking about mental health, and support for Hope Squad – a youth-led suicide prevention program – in Miami County schools, as well as numerous scholarships for local students going to college.

NAMI Darke, Miami and Shelby Counties has joined forces with FMAS to promote mental health awareness. NAMI is a grassroots organization that helps families and individuals living with mental illness through advocacy and education. For more information about the local NAMI chapter, go to NAMIofDMS.org.

NAMI and the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services will have information and resources at tables at the event, as well as in the registration packets.

The Tri-County Board of Recovery & Mental Health Services will accept public comments regarding the Board’s Calendar Year 2023 Budget between 4:00 pm and 4:30 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at the Board office, 1100 Wayne St., Suite 4000 in Troy. For further information or to request a copy of the Tri-County Board’s Calendar Year 2023 Budget, please contact the Tri-County Board at (937) 335-7727, extension 204.

A series of signs along the "Jim Buchy Mile" walking and biking trail in Greenville encourages the practice of mindfulness techniques while enjoying the natural surroundings. The signs are a cooperative project between the Darke County Park District, the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services and NAMI Darke, Miami and Shelby Counties. The signs were provided at no cost to the Park District.

The five signs are located on a short section of the trail. The southwest end of the section is accessed behind the Main-Rite Sandwich Shop at 125 N. Broadway, Greenville, and the northeast end is just past the bend in Wilson Drive near the Greenville Creek.

Users of the navigation app What3Words can find the southwest sign at each.others.noisy and the northeast sign at dusty.indeed.hangs.

The link between natural spaces and mental wellness has long been established, During the pandemic there has been a general concern for mental health and self-care, especially with mindfulness and anti-anxiety techniques. Walking in the parks is something that can be done safely even during a pandemic, and it goes a long way toward promoting both physical health and mental health. Tri-County Board Director of Community Resource Development Brad Reed and Mandy Martin, a Tri-County Board member and naturalist with the Darke County Park District,  went through several revisions before landing on the “environMENTAL HEALTH” concept. They decided just to do five basic concepts in a simple form that introduces people to the idea of mindfulness and being aware of their surroundings. They also brought NAMI Darke, Miami, and Shelby Counties in as a partner. NAMI is a grassroots organization helping families and individuals with advocacy and education about mental illness.

Each of the five signs is different as to which concept is being highlighted, but they have some common information as well. This text appears on each of the signs: “MINDFULNESS is the practice of being present in the HERE and NOW, rather than worrying about the past or being anxious about the future. EXPERIENCING NATURE with mindful curiosity promotes good mental health, renews mind and body, and contributes to resilience in the face of challenges.” The signs have a QR code linking to the Tri-County Board website for more information about self-care and resilience, www.tcbmds.org/resilience.

Reed said the Board is finalizing versions of the signs to be placed in Miami County parks, and have had discussions with Sidney City as well. "The Tri-County Board serves Darke, Miami and Shelby Counties, so we’d like to have the same presence in all three counties," Reed said. "We are excited to partner with organizations in our communities to promote mental wellness and resilience. The parks are a great place to relax, unwind and reset our perspectives, so that’s a natural partnership that I hope will continue."

​Seventeen officers from Miami, Darke and Shelby Counties completed the Tri-County Crisis Intervention Team Academy April 11-14 2022.

During the four-day training, officers hear from a variety of professionals who work with persons with mental illness, substance use disorders and other special populations. Officers learn techniques for safely engaging with special populations and learn about resources available in the community with the goal of getting people the help they need and prevent unnecessary incarceration or other legal matters,

The April 2022 Academy is the 20th class in 17 years of the Tri-County Board's program. More than 345 officers have completed the Tri-County CIT Academy, with more than 240 still active on local law enforcement rosters.

The officers completing the training are Rick Genovesi and Amber Richardson, Probation Officers with Darke County Adult Probation; Chief Bruce Jamison and Brooke Dunlevy, Edison State Community College Police and Public Safety; Officers Benjamin Conley and James Santo, Greenville Police Department; Officer Rick Beasley, Piqua Police Department; Sergeant Joel Howell and Deputies Frank Bleigh, Bryan Doak, Dave Egbert, and Justin Tidwell, Shelby County Sheriff's Office; Captain Jeff Kunkleman and Officers Jason Lay, Tracy Long, and Brian Ross, Troy Police Department; and Officer Nathan Nolte, Versailles Police Department. Officers in the April 2022 Academy class ranged in experience from 3 months to 35 years in law enforcement.

For more information about the CIT Academy, see www.tcbmds.org/cit-academy.

Thirteen officers from Miami, Darke and Shelby Counties completed the Tri-County Crisis Intervention Team Academy December 6-9 2021.

During the four-day training, officers hear from a variety of professionals who work with persons with mental illness, substance use disorders and other special populations. Officers learn techniques for safely engaging with special populations and learn about resources available in the community with the goal of getting people the help they need and prevent unnecessary incarceration or other legal matters,

The December 2021 Academy is the 19th class in 16 years of the Tri-County Board's program. More than 330 officers have completed the Tri-County CIT Academy, with more than 225 still active on local law enforcement rosters.

The officers completing the training are Brandon Johnson, Cameron Keiser and Morgan Styles, Fort Loramie Police Department; Angie Spitler, Piqua Post Ohio State Highway Patrol; James Hunt, Tipp City Police Department; Ragan Williams, Edison State Community College Police Department; Jesse Penwell, Miami County Park District; Adam Coe and Logan Welbaum, Piqua Police Department; Sam Conley and Trevor Robbins, Greenville Police Department; Ryan Ormberg, Troy Police Department; and Cody Stemley, West Milton Police Department.

For more information about the CIT Academy, see www.tcbmds.org/cit-academy.

The Shelby County Drug Free Coalition and other community partners are making Deterra® drug disposal pouches available at no cost to residents of Shelby County as part of drug take back and safe disposal efforts.

The launch of the safe-disposal program will coincide with National Drug Take Back Day October 23. Drug Take Back Day is promoted by the Drug Enforcement Agency as a way to safely remove unwanted and unused prescription medications from homes, to prevent theft, abuse and accidental poisoning.

Distribution points are being set up throughout Shelby County, and include: Senior Center of Sidney, Fair Haven, The Meal Prep Life, Wilson Health, Bunny’s Pharmacy, Family Resource Center, Jackson Center Pharmacy, and the Sidney-Shelby County Health Department. Other agencies also participating include: STAR House, Samaritan Works, Mercy Mission House, Shelby County Veterans Services, Botkins Village Hall and Jackson Center Village Hall. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and the Sidney Police Department, including the Sidney Addiction Assistance Team, will make the disposal bags available along with the drug take-back drop boxes in their respective lobbies.

The Deterra® pouches use activated charcoal and water to dissolve and deactivate a wide range of medications, including fentanyl, ketamine, quetiapine, tramadol, and zolpidem. Unlike most drug take-back drop boxes, which will only accept pills or powders, the pouches can also neutralize creams, liquids, patches and films. Once in the bag and deactivated, the substances cannot be absorbed by the body, even if ingested. They are also prevented from entering the ecosystem, as can happen when flushing or disposing in landfills without a deactivating process.

Shelby County Commissioner Julie Ehemann said: “Shelby County is excited to be launching a project utilizing Deterra® pouches, which can rid any home of dangerous, leftover drugs in minutes. Our goal is to reduce the risk of abuse, misuse and accidental ingestion of leftover medication, especially prescription opioids.”

The pouches were obtained through the Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative and Shelby County Department of Job & Family Services at not cost to the county. The Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative (RALI) convenes national, state and community leaders to exchange best practices and provide resources that help prevent misuse of prescription medicines.
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The Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services maintains a list of area drug take-back drop boxes on its website at www.tcbmds.org/disposal.

Darke County Commissioners at their session Monday October 4 2021 endorsed the Tri-County Mental Health levy renewal with a Proclamation of Support.

​The Tri-County Mental Health & Recovery levy is a 0.6 mill, 5-year renewal to provide ongoing funding for counseling and supportive services to children and adults through the operation of alcohol and drug addiction programs and mental health programs. Levy funds are administered by the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services.

Tri-County Board Executive Director Terri Becker expressed her appreciation to the Commissioners for their support, saying, "The levy is a crucial part of the Board's funding that enables us to continue to address the mental health and addiction services needs in Darke County. The Commissioners are active partners in identifying local needs and solutions and we thank them for their endorsement."

Since 2006, the levy has passed with about 2 of 3 voters in Darke, Miami and Shelby counties supporting. More information about the renewal can be found at www.YESforMentalHealth.com.