May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and to increase awareness of mental health in Darke, Miami and Shelby Counties, the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services is offering Mental Health First Aid classes to the public at no cost.

Mental Health First Aid Teaches:

• Risk factors and warning signs of mental health concerns.
• Information on depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, and substance abuse.
• A 5-step action plan to help someone developing a mental health concern or in crisis.
• Available evidence-based professional, peer, and self-help resources.

Adult Mental Health First Aid is appropriate for anyone who wants to learn how to help an individual who may be experiencing a mental health crisis or concern.

Youth Mental Health First Aid reviews the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents ages 12-18. It emphasizes the importance of early intervention and covers how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge. The youth course is intended for anyone 16 years or older to learn how to help young people.

The Tri-County Board has training more than 500 individuals in Mental Health First Aid or Youth Mental Health First Aid since 2014.

Normally a $25 per person class, the 8-hour training is being offered at no cost in May. No special code is required, For more information and for links to register, go to www.tcbmds.org/mhfa. May dates and locations scheduled are:

Mental Health First Aid

• ​Monday May 7, Troy
• Thursday May 24, Sidney

Youth Mental Health First Aid

• Wednesday May 2, Sidney
• Thursday May 17, Sidney
• Tuesday May 29, Troy

To arrange Mental Health First Aid training for groups or organizations, contact Ian Ridgeway, Prevention and Wellness Coordinator, RidgewayI@tcbmds.org, or call (937) 335-7727 ext 216.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and to increase awareness of mental health in Darke, Miami and Shelby Counties, the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services is offering Mental Health First Aid classes at no cost.

Mental Health First Aid Teaches:

• Risk factors and warning signs of mental health concerns.
• Information on depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, and substance abuse.
• A 5-step action plan to help someone developing a mental health concern or in crisis.
• Available evidence-based professional, peer, and self-help resources.

Adult Mental Health First Aid is appropriate for anyone who wants to learn how to help an individual who may be experiencing a mental health crisis or concern.

Youth Mental Health First Aid reviews the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents ages 12-18. It emphasizes the importance of early intervention and covers how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge. The youth course is intended for anyone 16 years or older to learn how to help young people.

Normally a $25 per person class, the 8-hour training is being offered at no cost in May. Use the discount code "MHM when registering. For more information and for links to register, go to www.tcbmds.org/mhfa. May dates and locations scheduled are:

Mental Health First Aid

• ​Wednesday May 31, Tri-County Board Training Room, Troy

Youth Mental Health First Aid

• Thursday May 18, Tri-County Board Training Room, Troy
• Tuesday May 23, Edison Darke County, Greenville

To arrange Mental Health First Aid training for groups or organizations, contact Ian Ridgeway, Prevention and Wellness Coordinator, RidgewayI@tcbmds.org, or call (937) 335-7727 ext 216.

The Tri-County Board has launched a website, Facebook page and Twitter account for One Wellness Place, a project currently under development by the Board. One Wellness Place is a public-private partnership for healthy living in Miami County and supporting services in Darke and Shelby Counties. It will house mental health and addiction service providers, public health, and an array of wraparound support services.

"It is important that we keep citizens in the Tri-County Board service area, our funding partners, and potential partners aware of updates," said Brad Reed, Director of Community Resource Development for the Tri-County Board. "There has been a lot of activity behind the scenes up until now. Since the groundbreaking and official project launch January 26, the pace will pick up, both on the fundraising side and the project planning and building side."

The website can be found at www.onewellnessplace.org. On Facebook and Twitter, the accounts are 1wellnessplace. The website contains descriptions of the project, timeline, service and funding partners, links to media clips,  galleries of photos, and a link to the online giving page at The Troy Foundation for individuals who would like to donate. The site can be linked from the Tri-County Board website under the "Community" menu.

The Coalition for a Health Darke County is hosting its first Community Outreach Event Tuesday October 25 at 6:30pm at Romer's Catering, 118 East Main Street, Greenville. The event is free and open to the public.

The Coalition for a Healthy Darke County is leading the community in a collaborative effort to impact health, wellness and social issues. The Coalition has identified eight areas of focus: Elder Care & Services, Mental & Behavioral Health, Physical Health, Safety, Spiritual Health, Substance Abuse, Wellness, and Youth Education & Prevention.

The primary topic of the first Coalition meeting is heroin. Heroin isn't just a court or law enforcement issue. It encompasses physical, mental and spiritual health. Panelists will give an update on where the Coalition partners are in the fight against heroin in Darke County.

The event is sponsored by the Darke County Chamber of Commerce, Premier Health, Romer's, Tri-County Board of Recovery & Mental Health Services, Darke County United Way, and Wayne Healthcare.

Learn more...

At its regular meeting September 23, the Miami County Heroin Coalition passed a resolution to endorse the Tri-County Mental Health & Recovery levy which will be on the ballot in Shelby, Darke and Miami Counties November 8.

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.

The Miami County Heroin Coalition is made up of agencies, organizations, public officials, businesses, churches, and concerned citizens working together to address the impact of heroin on Miami County, Ohio. It is the Coalition's position that only by working together and maintaining open channels of communication among all affected groups can the challenges of heroin use in Miami County effectively be met. Members recognize the importance of the Tri-County Mental Health and Recovery Levy in supporting these community-based efforts.

For more information about the Miami County Heroin Coalition, contact Coalition chair J. Steven Justice at justice@dunganattorney.com.

At its regular meeting September 22, the Shelby County Drug Free Coalition passed a resolution to endorse the Tri-County Mental Health & Recovery levy which will be on the ballot in Shelby, Darke and Miami Counties November 8.

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.

The Shelby County Drug Free Coalition is made up of agencies, organizations, public officials, businesses and concerned citizens working together to make Shelby County, Ohio, a safe place to live and work. The Coalition's mission is advocacy, networking and collaboration to prevent harmful alcohol and other drug use in Shelby County by focusing on preventing youth consumption.

The Coalition meets the fourth Thursday of the month at 10:30am at St. John's Lutheran Church in Sidney. Information about the Coalition, including upcoming meetings, can be found online at drugfreeshelbycounty.weebly.com.

FOA (Families of Addicts) is changing the location of its Miami County meetings. Beginning October 4, the group will meet the first and third Tuesdays of each month from 7 to 8:30PM at Grace Family Worship, 725 Lincoln Avenue, Troy.

FOA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support and encouraging advocacy for families, friends and individuals touched by addiction.

For more information, call Paula at 937-301-9747 or email foa.paula@gmail.com, or go online at FOAfamilies.org.

Mental Health First Aid classes in October, November and December are now available for registration. The classes are offered by the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services.

The general Mental Health First Aid courses are: October 13 in Troy; November 8 in Greenville; and December 5 in Sidney. A Youth Mental Health First Aid course which is designed for adults who work with young people ages 12-18, will be offered November 2 in Sidney.

Mental Health First Aid teaches a 5-step action plan to offer initial help to people with the signs and symptoms of a mental illness or in a crisis, and connect them with the appropriate professional, peer, social, or self-help care.

Anyone can take the 8-hour Mental Health First Aid course — first responders, students, teachers, leaders of faith communities, human resources professionals, and caring citizens.

Pre-registration is required. Cost of each class is $25 which includes the required manual. For details and to register online, go to the Tri-County Board’s website at www.tcbmds.org/mhfa, or call 937-335-7727, ext 216.

FOA Families of Addicts embraces "families, friends and individuals struggling with addiction in order to promote recovery, provide support and encourage advocacy."

The group has scheduled a new meeting time beginning June 7 - Tuesday evenings, 7:30 to 9:00 at Fusion, 421 Broadway Street in Piqua.

For more information, call Paula at 937-301-9747 or email foa.paula@gmail.com.

More about FOA can be found on the national website, FOAfamilies.org, or on facebook at FOA Families of Addicts.

Mental Health First Aid classes to be offered in early March are now available for registration. The classes are offered by the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services, and will take place in Sidney March 4 and March 5.

The March 4 class is Youth Mental Health First Aid, which presents the 8-hour curriculum with a special focus on young people aged 12-18. The course is designed for people who are not mental health professionals but who may work with young people, such as teachers, coaches, pastors, and parents.

The March 5 class is the general Mental Health First Aid, which looks at mental health concerns for persons of all ages.

Mental Health First Aid teaches a 5-step action plan to offer initial help to people with the signs and symptoms of a mental illness or in a crisis, and connect them with the appropriate professional, peer, social, or self-help care.

Anyone can take the 8-hour Mental Health First Aid course — first responders, students, teachers, leaders of faith communities, human resources professionals, and caring citizens.

Pre-registration is required. Cost of each class is $25 which includes the required manual. For details and to register online, go to the Tri-County Board’s website at www.tcbmds.org/mhfa, or call 937-335-7727, ext 216. Additional courses are planned in Shelby, Miami and Darke Counties over the coming months.