News

Drug Disposal Pouches to be Distributed in Shelby County

10/14/2021

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.

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 Endorse Mental Health Levy Renewal

10/7/2021

Seated, l-r, Commissioners Matt Aultman, Mike Stegall, Larry Holmes. Standing, l-r Brad Reed, Director of Community Resource Development for the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services; Tri-County Board members Dennis Butts, Terrance Holman, Mandy Martin, and Jason Wagner; Terri Becker, Executive Director; and Steve McEldowney, Director of Finance and Administration.

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.

Billboard Gains Second Life as Emergency Shelter

9/2/2021

When this billboard panel is replaced next week for the 2021 Week of Appreciation campaign, the old vinyl panels will be sent to Louisiana or other areas affected by Hurricane Ida to be repurposed as emergency shelters or to cover damaged roofs.

When a billboard sponsored by the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services is updated with this year’s Week of Appreciation message, the vinyl from the 2020 campaign will find new life.
According to Carla Stone, Account Executive for Lamar Advertising, certain heavy-duty vinyl panels such as those used on the highway billboard between Piqua and Sidney are able to be repurposed into emergency tent shelters and to cover damaged roofs. She said Lamar is currently gathering vinyls to help protect structures and shelter victims displaced by Hurricane Ida.
Brad Reed, Director of Community Resource Development for the Tri-County Board, said the Board was excited to find out the old vinyl panels would be reused and sent to areas needing emergency shelters. “It’s especially fitting in this case,” Reed said, because the message of Week of Appreciation is to acknowledge the efforts and sacrifices of all those who work to keep our communities safe: law enforcement, fire/EMT, educators, mental health and addictions services, medical professionals and support staff, public health and safety, and other essential workers. “Many of those same workers who have been on the front lines of the pandemic response now find themselves responding to disasters such as the recent hurricane,” Reed said.
Week of Appreciation is a statewide recognition in September, organized and funded through grants from the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities and county mental health and recovery boards. The Tri-County Board serves Miami, Darke and Shelby Counties, and will be recognizing about 150 entities by delivering appreciation packs the week of September 20-24.

RV Campaign Brings Hope, Celebrates Recovery

7/28/2021

On the Road of Recovery: Recovery in Motion is a traveling campaign through 23 counties in Ohio to bring the message of hope, awareness, and connection to those in recovery from addiction.

The Briermost Foundation, a Cleveland area sober living program, is sponsoring the campaign, which will bring its recreational vehicle to Piqua Grace Church, 9411 N. County Road 25-A, Piqua, Thursday, August 5, from 3:30 to 7:30PM. A number of area organizations will have information tents at the event.

The goal for “On the Road of Recovery” is to inspire hope, educate the community, and establish connectedness by sharing recovery stories from a wide range of people across Ohio. Persons in recovery or supporting others in recovery are invited to share their stories.

Over the next six months the Briermost Foundation will record stories of people in recovery, past and current recovery housing residents, family members of recovering people, and allies of people in recovery. They will also provide options for people to share their story through written, artistic, and musical expressions.

The objective of the project is to reduce stigma and provide information where it is needed most. One of the goals of this project is to bring awareness and reduce stigma around recovery housing by showing positive, hope filled stories about recovery. Having an RV that can travel to places that are generally underserved will allow for the project to engage with 750 – 1,000 individuals from the community during the funding period.

For more information, visit the Briermost Foundation’s page at www.briermost.org/on-the-road-of-recovery-about.

Officers Complete Mental Health Crisis Intervention Academy

6/28/2021

Darke County Sheriff Deputy Dan Stockslager, standing left, engages with SafeHaven Executive Director Doug Metcalfe, red hat, who is portraying a person experiencing a mental health crisis as other CIT Academy participants and instructors look on.

Fifteen law enforcement officers recently completed the June 2021 Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Academy conducted by the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services. The CIT Academy trains officers about mental illness and related conditions and how do de-escalate crisis situations.

With the 15 graduates of the June Academy, which was conducted over four full days June 21-24, the Tri-County Board has trained more than 330 officers since its first CIT Academy in 2006, 215 of whom are still actively serving with law enforcement agencies in Miami, Darke and Shelby Counties.

The June 2021 Academy hosted patrol officers and corrections officers from Anna, Covington, Greenville and Piqua police departments, Miami County and Darke County Sheriff’s Offices, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Officers ranged from rookies to a 35-year veteran.

The CIT Academy for Law Enforcement Professionals is a free training, made possible by funds from the Tri-County Mental Health Levy, NAMI Darke, Miami, Shelby Counties, and NAMI Ohio. Law enforcement officers from across Darke, Miami and Shelby counties are invited to attend. The next Academy is scheduled for December 6-9, 2021. Working law enforcement officers interested in the Academy can find more information and a registration link at www.tcbmds.org/cit-academy.

Warmline Opens for Holidays

11/23/2020

A partnership between the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services and Recovery & Wellness Centers of Midwest Ohio is launching a temporary "warmline" beginning Monday, November 23.

The number of the Warmline is 937-423-6320. Depending on the caller's location and phone service, long distance charges may apply. Warmline operators will be available Mondays 9AM to Noon, Tuesdays 1PM to 4PM, and Thursdays 4Pm to 7PM. If persons call the warmline outside the established hours, they can leave a voicemail with a callback number. The warmline will not be staffed on holidays.

There is no charge for the warmline service, and only general demographic information will be collected to maintain confidentiality.

"With the holidays approaching and the COVID-19 numbers soaring, we are concerned about people feeling stressed and isolated from family and friends. We are especially concerned about our frontline workers — healthcare workers, first responders, grocery and retail, pharmacy, and other essential workers — facing extraordinary stress as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and the holiday season," said Terri Becker, Executive Director of the Tri-County Board.

"We are working with our mental health and substance use treatment providers to find ways to help those most in need," Becker said. "A warmline is a service we are able to stand up when needed to provide someone to talk to about coping strategies, and when indicated, be referred to professional counseling."

A warmline is a telephone service where concerned people can talk to a trained operator about matters that do not rise to the level of a crisis. Persons in crisis should call the 24/7 Tri-County Crisis Hotline toll-free at 800-351-7347. The Crisis Hotline is also operated by RWC under contract with the Tri-County Board.

Tri-County Board, OACBHA Honor Front-Line Heroes

10/5/2020

The Tri-County Board of Recovery & Mental Health Services marked September 20-26 as a Week of Appreciation to recognize workers on the front lines of the pandemic-related mental health and addiction crisis.

Week of Appreciation is a statewide event coordinated by the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities, which provided grants to help local behavioral health Boards honor first responders (police, fire and EMT personnel), public safety, public health, educators, hospital staff, crisis services workers, volunteers for Quick Response Teams, and others who have helped save lives and build resiliency amid the ongoing overdose and mental health crisis made worse by the coronavirus pandemic.

Tri-County Board Executive Director Terri Becker said: “So many of our frontline workers have been directly impacted, and we don’t have enough opportunities to thank them. Week of Appreciation is a chance to recognize their hard work and to just give a little bit of encouragement and thanks for all they do to keep our families safe and healthy.”

Board staff logged more than 600 miles delivering appreciation packages to about 150 locations throughout Miami, Darke and Shelby Counties. The packages included a poster personalized for each organization, a copy of the Board’s resolution, and a red plastic bucket of mints imprinted with the message “Thank you for being lifesavers.”
The Board also purchased billboard space on I-75 between Piqua and Sidney. The billboard mirrors the poster design and says “Thank you – law enforcement, fire-EMT, public safety, public health, educators, health care, essential workers.”

Art of Recovery Goes Virtual, Explores Mental Health Amid Pandemic

8/20/2020

The Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services is seeking entries from local artists for its annual Art of Recovery exhibit, this year to be displayed virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Artists who have been affected personally, through a family member or friend, or anyone whose art reflects recovery from mental illness or addiction are invited to participate. Artists display works ranging from painting and drawing to sculpture, mixed media, crafts, photography and poetry. Artists typically reside in Darke, Miami and Shelby counties, although submissions from other counties are welcomed. Many use their art to express personal journeys with recovery from mental illness and addiction, while others have been touched as family members, friends, advocates and service providers. This year’s special theme is “Coping with COVID-19.” Artists are invited to display works that reflect their experiences during the pandemic, but are not required to.

Tri-County Board Executive Director Terri Becker said, “Art of Recovery has been one of our showcase events in recent years, where we get a chance to see how local artists and individuals express their interpretations of mental illness, wellness, and recovery. Unfortunately, the gathering restrictions due to COVID-19 make our traditional gallery exhibit impossible, so we are taking the Art of Recovery exhibit online.”

Artists can find the submission form and additional details at the Tri-County Board’s website, tcbmds.org/art. Artists will upload photos of their work along with descriptions. Tri-County Board staff will then add the photos of the art to an online gallery that will be linked to the Board’s website and social media accounts. The artwork will be displayed online indefinitely.

Art may be in any medium, including but not limited to painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, needlework, crafts, instrumental music, poetry and mixed media. Artists may submit more than one piece for submission, and may elect to remain anonymous at the showcase. There is no fee to enter, and no prizes are awarded. For the gallery exhibit, three certificates will be awarded. Best in Show will be determined by the judges based on artistic merit, People’s Choice will be awarded based on popular vote, and the Director’s Choice will be selected by Tri-County Board staff for the piece that best exemplifies wellness and recovery.

The Art of Recovery showcase aims to increase public awareness of mental illness and addiction issues in an effort to fight the stigma that so often accompanies these diseases.

For more information, contact Brad Reed, Director of Community Resource Development, at ReedB@tcbmds.org or 937-335-7727 ext 209.

SafeHaven Reopening Plan

6/9/2020

Since March 18th, SafeHaven had not been able to open for attendance due to COVID-19 regulations in Ohio, but we have been blessed to have the opportunity to deliver meals and offer virtual support groups and technology wellness check-ins for many of our members. NOW, we have exciting news. SafeHaven will be re-opening under the Responsible RestartOhio regulations on Wednesday, June 10th, 2020! SafeHaven is ready and excited to welcome all of our members back, and we’re ready to do so in a safe manner to protect one another, following mandatory practices set by Ohio government.

Our SafeHaven locations in Darke, Miami, and Shelby Counties have our buildings designed to meet and exceed the health safety requirements, including social distancing seating arrangements, one-way hallways/pathways, verbal health screenings before entry, increased cleaning procedures, added hand sanitation stations, provided masks for employees and members, and more. During this phase of social distanced-opening, our transportation will not be available for riders. But, SafeHaven will be open for attendance with our structured day of support groups, educational classes, meals, social activities, and more three (3) days per week at each site, and will continue cooking/packaging/delivering meals and providing virtual support four (four) days per week at each site.

Miami County’s site will re-open with special regulations on Wednesday, June 10th from 11am to 4pm, and will continue each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday until further restrictions are eased. Meal deliveries and virtual support will continue to be available each Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Call 937.615.0126 or email safehavendouglas@woh.rr.com for more information.

Darke County’s site will re-open with special regulations on Thursday, June 11th from 11am to 4pm, and will continue each Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday until further restrictions are eased. Meal deliveries and virtual support will continue to be available each Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Call 937.548.7233 or email safehavendouglas@woh.rr.com for more information.

Shelby County’s site will re-open with special regulations on Friday, June 12th from 11am to 4pm, and will continue each Monday, Tuesday, and Friday until further restrictions are eased. Meal deliveries and virtual support will continue to be available each Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Call 937.658.6930 or email safehavendouglas@woh.rr.com for more information.

See www.safehaveninc.com for more information about all of the services we offer to adults in need of mental health support across Darke, Miami, and Shelby Counties. SafeHaven would like to thank our funders: Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services, Shelby County United Way, United Way of Miami County, Darke County United Way, Troy Foundation, Community Foundation of Shelby County, Miami County Foundation, and Piqua Foundation.

Tri-County Board Launches Warmline for Frontline Workers

4/16/2020

A partnership between the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services and Recovery & Wellness Centers of Midwest Ohio is launching a temporary "warmline" for frontline workers beginning Monday, April 20.

The number of the Frontline Warmline is 937-423-6320. Depending on the caller's location and phone service, long distance charges may apply. Warmline operators will be available Mondays and Tuesdays from 9AM to 7PM, Wednesdays 9AM to 6PM, and Thursdays and Fridays 9AM to 5PM.

There is no charge for the warmline service, and only general demographic information will be collected to maintain confidentiality.

"We are hearing many stories about our frontline workers — healthcare workers, first responders, grocery and retail, pharmacy, and other essential workers — facing extraordinary stress as a result of the coronavirus pandemic," said Terri Becker, Executive Director of the Tri-County Board.

"We are working with our mental health and substance use treatment providers to find ways to help those most in need," Becker said. "A warmline is a service we have been able to get going quickly, to respond to the needs of frontline workers feeling stressed, to provide someone to talk to about some coping strategies, and when indicated, be referred to professional counseling."

Board staff will be reaching out to stores, businesses, first responder departments, hospitals and others in the coming days to promote the use of the warmline. Printable posters are available for download on the Tri-County Board's website at www.tcbmds.org/frontline.

A warmline is a telephone service where concerned people can talk to a trained operator about matters that do not rise to the level of a crisis. Persons in crisis should call the 24/7 Tri-County Crisis Hotline toll-free at 800-351-7347. The Crisis Hotline is also operated by RWC under contract with the Tri-County Board.

The Mental Health HOPE Line, 855-276-HOPE (4673), is a general warmline operated by SafeHaven Inc. Hours are Monday-Friday 4PM to 11PM, and Saturdays and Sundays 4PM to 8PM.

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