“Crisis Awareness and Self-Care training” was provided to Washington County law enforcement personnel

The Washington County Behavioral Health Board and the Ohio Department of Public Safety collaborated to offer a “Crisis Awareness and Self-Care” Advanced Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training curriculum to Washington County’s local law enforcement departments. Two classes were held and 35 law enforcement personnel participated. Many law enforcement leaders joined in with road deputies, police officers, corrections officers, and dispatchers to take the class.

CARES Awards and Recognitions

The Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Board annually recognizes community members, frontline workers, and first responders across the state who go above and beyond in helping individuals, families, and their communities deal with the adverse effects of Ohio’s opiate epidemic. In 2021, CARES awards are presented to individuals who dedicate significant time and expertise to their community and those impacted by substance use disorders and the rippling effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recovery is a Journey; Join us on our 2nd Annual Recovery Walk!

The “working” definition of recovery from mental health or substance use disorder is “a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential”. September is National Recovery Month, a month that should be spent acknowledging all walks of recovery.

A Walk to Remember – Remembering Loved Ones Lost to Suicide

The community is needed to further the mission of the SAA by joining the Alliance, volunteering at Alliance events, and by participating in “A Walk to Remember” on October 9 at 10:00 a.m. at the Armory in Marietta. For more information, call the WCBHB at 740-374-6990.

Drug Overdose and Grief Awareness Walk

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ohio –

International overdose awareness day is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose. On August 31^st, we pause and remember, without stigma, those who have died from drug overdose, and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind. This day is preserved to remember, and a campaign to act to end overdose.

When we think of drug addiction, stigma may lead us to think of people who have thrown their lives away, made poor choices, are homeless, or have no support system from taxing and abusing relationships. Drug addiction is often a result of trauma, childhood abuse, introduction to opioids after an accident or chronic illness, untreated mental health diagnosis, or a combination of various risk factors. Nonetheless, drug addiction affects our parents, our children, nieces, nephews, friends, and sometimes ourselves. Drug addiction is not 100% preventable, or we would not have those struggling with substance use disorders. However, drug overdose deaths are preventable. 

The nation’s COVID-19 pandemic made the nation’s drug overdose epidemic worse. Every state reported a spike or increase in overdose deaths or mental health crisis during the pandemic. The data is tragic, yet not surprising. For many, isolation and fear exacerbated underlying mental health challenges. Coping with substance use, and misuse, led to many relapses. Over the past 18 months, many of our loved ones did not see recovery again, leaving our families and our community devastated from the unnecessary losses. Yet here we are, with the pandemic still enduring, and the number of overdose deaths still increasing.

At least 5,215 Ohioans fatally overdosed on drugs in 2020, which is a 22% increase over 2019 data (Ohio Capital Journal, 2021). The health system and behavioral health providers have expanded services and began telehealth in efforts to reach those who need services. There can be a barrier to connecting individuals suffering with substance use disorder to treatment, and getting them to stay engaged with treatment services is often beyond our control, despite our best efforts to offer access and support recovery.

Linda Sistrunk, Director of Behavioral Health Services at Memorial Health Systems reflects, “We have seen an increase in substance use and mental health crisis, with notable cause being loneliness, unemployment, and family discontent with change in routine. We have also witnessed how strong the human spirit can be and have noticed an increase in people willingly seeking help, openly discussing how hard this crisis has been for them, and following up with recommendations that will help them through these trying times.”

To bring awareness to drug overdose, empathize with the grief of families who have lost loved ones, and educate the community on how to be actively involved in reducing overdose deaths, the Washington County Behavioral Health Board, The Right Path for Washington County, and the Washington County Health Department are collaborating to host a remembrance and awareness walk.

The community will gather on Saturday, August 28^th, 2021. The walk starts promptly at 9 a.m. and will begin at the corner of Front Street and East Muskingum Park in Marietta, Ohio. The path for the walk will go across the Putnam Street Bridge, down Gilman Avenue, across the Washington Street Bridge and back to East Muskingum Park.

The Health Department will educate community members on how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose, and how to administer nasal naloxone, known as Narcan (prescription medication used to reverse the effects of a known or suspected opioid overdose, evident by emergency signs of breathing problems, severe sleepiness, or not being able to respond). Family members, friends, or bystanders, may use Narcan to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose until emergency assistance can arrive. Free Narcan and training will be available to community members in the East Muskingum Park.

Community members are encouraged to bring pictures and homemade signs to share their loved one’s stories. We look forward to you joining us there!

If you, or someone you know, is struggling with a mental health challenge or substance use disorder, reach out for help.

Local Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Treatment Providers

• Family Counseling & Rehabilitation Center (Marietta, OH): 740-249-8061
• Hopewell Health Center (Belpre, OH): 740-423-8095
  • Call Mondays & Wednesdays between 8AM-11AM for available Walk-In Hours
• Integrated Services for Behavioral Health (Marietta, OH): 1-800-321-8293
• Life and Purpose Behavioral Health (Marietta, Belpre, & Beverly, OH): 740-376-0930
  • Walk-In Hours Monday through Friday 8AM-1PM
• Rigel Recovery Services (Reno, OH): 740-371-5160

Cathy Harper shares her perspective on Relapse and Overdose

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ohio –

In April of 2020 I wrote an article on relapse after our oldest son began using Heroin after 10 years of abstinence. Although it has been hard to share his addiction story, I felt then, and still feel now, that those in the trenches with their loved ones need to know they are not alone. Those living with mental illness and/or addiction have a very powerful story to share; a story that may save someone’s life. These are stories of hope, even when it feels hopeless.

During the COVID 19 pandemic we have continued to experience an epidemic within a pandemic, with overdose and suicide rates increasing. According to the CDC “over 81,000 overdose deaths occurred in the US in the 12 months ending in May 2020, the highest number of overdose deaths ever recorded in a 12 month period. The latest numbers suggest an acceleration of overdose deaths during the pandemic.”

Anxiety, feelings of helplessness have also contributed to increased drug use and suicide rates. Sepsis and endocarditis deaths have increased during the pandemic as people struggling with mental illness and addiction may not be accessing health care and when they finally do it may be too late. My son was hospitalized for 2 rounds of sepsis and endocarditis, an infection around his heart, just days before his fatal overdose.

The CDC recommends 5 key strategies to prevent drug misuse, overdoses and death: using data to monitor emerging trends and enhance prevention; work with providers and health systems to reduce unsafe exposure to opioids and treat addiction; strengthen state and local capacity to respond to this epidemic; coordinate with public safety and community-based partners to rapidly identify overdose threats, reverse overdoses, link people to EFFECTIVE treatment and reduce harms associated with illicit opioids and finally increase public awareness about the risks.

We can all play a role; not all overdoses have to end in death. Learn about the risks; learn about Naloxone (NARCAN), its availability and how to use it. Help those struggling find the right care and treatment. Learn about the CDC’s overdose surveillance and prevention efforts in our community. Learn more about what may help if you or someone you love is increasing drug use during our COVID 19 pandemic.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse has seen some success with emergency department administered high-dose buprenorphine, a food and drug approved medication to treat opioid disorder. This approach helps with withdrawal and allows underserved populations to seek outpatient services in commonly encountered delays in access to follow up care. This is promising and data may give us hope.

My son lost his battle with addiction 1/31/21. My hope is that by sharing his story his death will not be in vain.

The Right Path for Washington County and the Washington County Health Board are hosting a National Overdose and National Grief Awareness Walk on Saturday August 28. We will gather on the corner of East Muskingum Park next to the Putnam Street Bridge at 9 am. We will walk across the bridge, down Gilman Avenue, across the Washington Street Bridge and back. The Washington County Health Department’s Project DAWN will be on hand with Naloxone kits (NARCAN) and how to use it to save lives. Far too many lives have been lost to overdose, this epidemic inside the pandemic. No Mother should lose her Son to overdose; so preventable. I know; Jason’s Mom 1/31/21 #4everbroken.

Please join us and share a picture or memory of your loved one! Say Their Name.

Cathy Harper

Fort Frye local schools focus on mental health

Fulltime licensed therapists and case workers to be placed in schools

Fort Frye Local Schools will see a five-fold increase of mental health, therapeutic and case worker services for its students in the coming year.

A new contract with Life and Purpose Services approved by the Board of Education Monday will result in the placement of two fulltime licensed professional therapists and three fulltime therapeutic behavior support specialists – more commonly called case workers – in schools.

The increase in resources for children and their families in need of help was made possible by a grant from the state under a special appropriation initiated by Gov. Mike DeWine in the 2019-20 state budget, Superintendent Stephanie Starcher said.

“I am so excited about this,” Starcher said. “Sometimes we’re quick to criticize the General Assembly or the governor, but this is something they got right. They listened to the public and the community, who were saying that kids have so many issues that impact their ability to learn.”

Teachers in recent years have been overwhelmed by behavioral and psychological difficulties their students exhibit, some of which are attributed to difficulties at home caused by the opioid crisis. Fort Frye last year contracted with L&P to place one full-time therapist in schools, but she was quickly booked to capacity.

“She didn’t have enough room on the schedule, and we knew we needed a second therapist,” Starcher said.

The services, which include two therapists and three case workers who will have offices in the schools, will cost the district $162,000. Students or family who are referred to ongoing therapy outside school with L&P will be billed through insurance, Medicaid or private pay.

Event showcases need, responders

The level of need among the students and their families in Washington County could be measured by the number of agencies offering help to the school districts trying to respond to it.

The services, which include two therapists and three case workers who will have offices in the schools, will cost the district $162,000. Students or family who are referred to ongoing therapy outside school with L&P will be billed through insurance, Medicaid or private pay.

More than a dozen teachers and administrators from Marietta City Schools met Monday morning to hear presentations from nine locally-based groups with services ranging from financial assistance to families and help for domestic violence victims to mental health aid and substance abuse treatment, in an event titled Every Child Needs a Hero.

Jessica Dearth, shelter director for EVE, Inc., said the domestic violence nonprofit offers in-class programs and outreach assistance that can be combined with school events such as ice cream socials and family days.

“We have drug and alcohol prevention programs, Too Good for Drugs, and domestic violence programs, Too Good for Violence, curriculums for all grades,” she said. “Domestic violence is a tough subject, people are in fear that they’ll have their children taken away … everyone, especially in this area, is afraid of airing their dirty laundry, they have the attitude of what goes on at home stays at home. Call us if you need help.”

Hilles Hughes, deputy director of the Washington County Behavioral Health Board, said the number of behavioral health providers in the county has grown from one to four – Life and Purpose Services, Hopewell Health, Rigel Recovery Services and Oriana House. A fifth – Integrated Services for Behavioral Health – will soon be established as well.

On the Right Path: Dancing, contests during family night at Aquatic Center

Dancing, contests during family night at Aquatic Center

On the Right Path, it’s hard to go wrong if you’re a kid.

Friday night the Washington County nonprofit held a family night at the Marietta Aquatic Center. As the sun declined across the Muskingum River, young people from toddlers to teens entered hula-hoop contests, vied to catch balls thrown into the pool, danced, played and swam.

It was the fifth event of the month staged by Right Path, a group dedicated to making children feel knit into the community. Right Path and its myriad of community partners organize family nights, dances, the Righditarod shopping cart race and other events, and the group is especially busy during the summer.

“I think we’re gonna have a four-way tie. You girls could keep going on all night,” the announcer said as the hula-hoop contest went into it’s third song.

Carrie Bellville brought four children and one grandchild from their home in Little Hocking. She said she’s been taking her family to Right Path events for years.

Students to start county-wide teen institute

Task Force works to combat growing drug epidemic