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.

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.

Family Resource Center (FRC) is enhancing the array of mental health and addictions services available in Shelby County while it moves to its new location at 1101 N. Vandemark Road in Sidney, the current site of Shelby County Counseling Center.

FRC, which has been providing youth-oriented services out of its office on 2nd Avenue, will move current services to the Vandemark Road location in early August and expand its service array beginning in September. SCCC clients will continue to receive services from current SCCC staff and treatment providers in addition to having access to the expanded menu of services offered by FRC.

FRC will add a team of nurse practitioners, under the direction of Medical Director Dr. Richard Nockowitz, to its medical department beginning Sept.1. Dr. Nockowitz and his team are specialists in providing psychiatric care to children, youth and adults through telemedicine, which connects providers to clients via secure two-way video. Benefits of telemedicine include improved access to a wider array of services than can be provided in a physical location, cost effectiveness, improved quality of care, and meeting increasing patient demand.

Included in the full menu of services available to Shelby County residents will be: youth prevention programs, school navigators, intensive home-based services for families, comprehensive outpatient adult and youth mental health and addiction treatment, detox, crisis services, and expanded medication management services.

Mark McDaniel, Executive Director of the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services, pointed to the broad array of services brought to Shelby County by Family Resource Center. "The new and expanded services FRC brings to the Vandemark Road location helps the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services move closer to its strategic goal of establishing a Centralized Service Facility in Shelby County,” McDaniel said. “We expect FRC’s service array in Shelby County to continue to grow to meet the ever-changing needs of the community. The Tri-County Board welcomes this opportunity to ensure the most efficient and effective use of local mental health levy resources."

FRC Chief Executive Officer John Bindas said his recruitment of Dr. Nockowitz, a nationally-known lecturer on psychiatry and an expert in psychiatric diagnostics and psychopharmacology, “underscores our commitment to reshaping the scope and quality of services we want to deliver for the community.”
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Bindas explained the mission of Family Resource Center is “to provide specialized behavioral health services to individuals, children and families in our multi-cultural communities in order to strengthen family life and promote personal growth through treatment that works.” He added, “The increasing need and demand for our services as well as the constantly changing health care industry will continue to present challenges and we will continue to adjust, always with quality client care as our central focus.” 

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.

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.

SafeHaven Inc. has scheduled two events for the end of summer.

"End of Summer BBQ Bash" is Friday September 9 from 11 to 4 at the Miami County site, 633 N. Wayne Street, Piqua. the BBQ Bash is open to current members and anyone with mental health needs in Darke, Miami and Shelby counties.

The events will feature free food, games, music, fun, friends, and hope.

SafeHaven will celebrate hope and recovery Thursday September 22 from 11:30 to 3 at Fountain Park, 1300 Forest Avenue, Piqua, at its annual Friends and Family Picnic. The picnic is co-sponsored by NAMI of Darke, Miami and Shelby Counties, www.NAMIofDMS.org.

Free transportation is available to current members and adults 18 and older in need of mental health assistance in Darke, Miami and Shelby counties. Call 937-615-0126 for more information, or visit the website at www.safehaveninc.com.

The Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services is seeking entries from local artists for its annual Art of Recovery showcase, as well as a juried gallery exhibit to be displayed in the Art Gallery at Edison State Community College in Piqua throughout the month of October.

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.

Select Art of Recovery works will be displayed in the Myers-Vaccaro Gallery, East Hall, Edison State Community College, Piqua, from October 3-28. To be considered for the juried exhibit, artwork (photos of large pieces are acceptable) must be submitted to the Tri-County Board by September 16. Artists must submit an entry form for each piece to be considered. An artist's statement must accompany each piece describing how the piece represents wellness, mental health or addiction recovery. Pieces may be representational or metaphorical, and do not need to be biographical in nature. All pieces selected for the Gallery Exhibit must be made available for display from October 3 through October 28.

“We are very excited that we are able to again partner with Edison Community College for the October gallery exhibit,” said Brad Reed, Director of Community Resource Development for the Tri-County Board. “Last year was the first time for the gallery, and the response was overwhelming. For the first time we were able to have art on display for an extended time. I can't count the number of comments and compliments we received. Many people would return to the gallery time and time again to sit, absorb the artwork, and contemplate on its meaning.”

Reed said that artworks submitted for the gallery exhibit will be juried and selected works will be on display for the month. Some of the pieces, with the artists’ permission, may be sent to smaller traveling exhibits at locations throughout Darke, Miami and Shelby counties for several months. “It’s a great way to share the amazing artwork to a broader audience, and to promote the message of recovery and overcoming challenges of mental illness and addiction,” Reed said. "Two of the large mixed media works from the 2015 exhibit are still on display at the Sidney Police Department outside their training room."

For consideration for the juried gallery exhibit, artwork and an accompanying submission form must be received by the Tri-County Board no later than September 16. The form and additional details are available at the Tri-County Board’s website, tcbmds.org/art.

To be displayed in the open Showcase Wednesday, October 19, artwork and submission forms must be received by October 10.

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 ribbons will be awarded. Best in Show will be determined by the judges, People’s Choice will be awarded based on popular vote, and the Director’s Award 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.

The Showcase and reception will be open to the public Wednesday, October 19 from 5:30 – 7:00PM in the Art Gallery and adjacent lounge at Edison State Community College in Piqua. A brief award presentation will also take place.

For more information, visit the Tri-County Board’s website or contact Reed at ReedB@tcbmds.org or 937-335-7727 ext 209.

The first 4th of July Free the Mind/Anchor the Soul 5K Walk/Run will raise awareness of suicide and will benefit the Bryce Warner Scholarship Fund. According to the Centers for Disease Control, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for teens and young adults aged 15-34. Stigma around suicide often prevents young people from talking about their thoughts and feelings, and can be a barrier to getting help.

The run will begin and end at Milton-Union Memorial Stadium, 225 Jefferson St., West Milton. The course includes a 1-mile loop in the woods. Check-in and race-day registration is from 8-8:45am, with the race beginning at 9.  Prizes will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers in several age categories: 6-14; 15-19; 20-30; 31-40; 41-50; 51-60; 61-70; and 71 and over.

The fee is $26 and includes a commemorative T-shirt. Children under 5 may accompany a parent at no cost, without a shirt. To receive a T-shirt and sparklers, register online before June 24 at www.cantstoprunningco.com. Pre-registrants can pick up race packets in advance at Can't Stop Running Co, 321 N. Main St., Piqua, OH on July 2 from 10am to 6pm or July 3 from noon to 4pm.

For race information, email Stacy Warner at m.warner1@woh.rr.com.

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.