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.

It is well established that spending time in natural surroundings promotes mental wellness. The Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services will be at the Darke County Parks Shawnee Prairie Preserve Nature Center Saturday October 24 from noon to 2pm. The Nature Center is located at 4267 OH-502, Greenville, OH 45331.

Read more about Why Nature is So Good for Your Mental Health...

Good afternoon Chairman Huffman and members of the Committee. Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today. My name is Mark McDaniel and I am the Executive Director of the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services. We are the ADAMHS Board that serves Miami, Darke and Shelby Counties. I have been the Executive Director of the Board for over 17 years and have worked in the behavioral health system for over 36 years. Over the span of those years I have provided direct clinical services, managed treatment teams and worked with families with both mental health and addiction issues.

To examine how the role of ADAMHS boards – and behavioral health care itself – is changing, I would like to briefly review where we have been, where we are now, and where we must go in the near future to meet the needs of the communities we serve in the most efficient and cost-effective ways possible.

Timely clinical services are crucial to effective treatment of individuals with mental illness and addictions; but that effectiveness is tempered by what happens the other 23 hours of the day.  Housing, employment and other support services play a crucial role in an efficient system of care focused on long-term recovery.

Those who do well in recovery – that is, those who relapse less often, recidivate at a lower rate, and access fewer crisis services – are persons who have stable housing, meaningful employment, and social, emotional and wellness supports. Without these supports, those addicted to substances, and persons with severe mental illness, tend to follow the very inefficient path of living from crisis to crisis, taxing the most expensive point of interaction with emergency medical services; law enforcement, court and jail involvements; and emergency shelters.

In recent years, ADAMHS Boards in general and the Tri-County Board specifically have spent significant resources on the expansion of client supportive services, housing options and vocational training. 

One example of social supportive services, SafeHaven is a client support program that is now available in all three counties and open to individuals who need help with their personal recovery and opportunities at socialization.

In terms of vocational support, the Board maintains a contract with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities that serves all three counties.  This provides assistance to clients with job preparation and search.

To provide stable and safe housing, the Tri-County Board owns houses and apartments in all three counties as well as maintains relationships with private landlords.  We also maintain contracts for Adult Care Facilities and mental health residential services.

Since access to Medicaid was extended in Ohio, the Board’s focus has shifted to providing 24/7 staffing at existing recovery homes to increase accountability and have expanded other recovery housing options.

To aid in early recovery, Vivitrol projects are now active in all three counties to help with the heroin issue. Detox and residential substance abuse services are accessible through our treatment services providers. Trained Recovery Coaches will be introduced for the first time in our system in the coming months.

Telemedicine was mentioned in several of the previous presentations.  We now have telemedicine available in each of the three counties which has expanded access to doctors for patients.

The Board has invested in reentry programs at both the prison and local jail level. This is a proactive approach to transitioning individuals returning to the community in a very structured and planned way.

To give just one example, with support of the Tri-County Board, Community Housing Inc. has for more than two years implemented a prison in-reach reentry program to assess needs and connect inmates with services prior to their release. In that time, Community Housing has worked with 58 people. Just 7 of those – 12 percent – re-offended, compared to more than 27 percent statewide. Given the high cost of arresting, prosecuting, incarcerating and monitoring an offender, any opportunity to reduce recidivism by half or more – while at the same time helping those persons be productive and healthy citizens - must be seen as an efficiency.

There is much more that needs to be done and the Tri-County Board has a plan. In the very near future we will be announcing the opening of a one-stop shop facility in Miami County which will offer a single point of entry for mental health and addictions, crisis, housing, vocational, consumer support, prevention and wellness, medical and even dental services under one roof.  The overall goal of this plan is to streamline and create efficiency for access by individuals and families, and for those who refer.

To reduce the impact of addictions and mental illness over the long term, prevention and wellness planning and programming are vital. ADAMHS Boards are uniquely positioned to anchor coalitions of vested interests to assess community behavioral health needs, plan activities that can effect change over the long term, and evaluate those activities for effectiveness. To be clear, prevention and wellness programs move the needle on the scale of years, not months. We want to see our communities becoming healthier over generations.

Are prevention and wellness efforts efficient? Effective ones are. The Board is committed to supporting evidence-based prevention practices in our schools and in our communities. Being good stewards of the public trust means optimizing resources – both time and money – on prevention practices that meet national standards of effectiveness. In this way we maximize longterm outcomes and avoid using public resources where there is scant evidence for real change.

We’ve all heard the phrase “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Nowhere is that more true than in community behavioral health. Preventing one person from reaching a mental health crisis, or from becoming addicted, or even delaying first use of substances by young people until they are adults and physically and emotionally better prepared to make good decisions, all have significant benefits in dollars NOT spent over a lifetime. While it may be impossible to tally to a specific number, there is no question that effective prevention is an efficient use of public funds.

Yes, clinical services are the linchpin of behavioral health services. But what happens to that person in recovery the other 23 hours of the day are crucial to the effectiveness of treatment and the reintegration of that person into the community as a productive, tax-paying citizen. Safe, healthy communities are a goal we all share. The Tri-County Board is dedicated to finding ways for the people of Miami, Darke and Shelby Counties to work, live, laugh and love, free from the challenges of mental illness and addiction, and to do so efficiently and responsibly as a steward of the public trust.

I would be remiss if I didn’t speak to two programs we have had great experiences with in our tri-county area.  They have been mentioned in previous testimony but I wanted to speak to them.  The first is Mental Health First Aid; many of us in this room have taken CPR/First Aid from the Red Cross.  Mental health first aid curriculum is somewhat parallel to this widely established program in that it provides education to individuals about mental health, how to recognize the symptoms and what to do about it.  The second program is the Tri-County CIT Academy.  This collaboration between our system and the law enforcement agencies in our area has been a very strong one.  I am proud to state that this last spring the CIT Academy celebrated its tenth anniversary while graduating its tenth class.  The Miami, Darke and Shelby County area has 198 CIT trained officers and that is pretty good.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for this opportunity, and for your time and I will answer any questions.