Organizations share news about mental health renewal levy
COSHOCTON – The Mental Health and Recovery Services Board Levy Kick-Off event was held Sept. 6, at the Thompkins Child & Adolescent Services parking lot on South Second Street.
The employees of Thompkins, Coshocton Behavioral Health Choices and the Coshocton Counseling Center, as well as many community supporters turned out for a great day.
The Mental Health and Recovery Services Renewal Levy supports counseling services at Thompkins, CBHC and the Coshocton Counseling Center. The counseling agencies are certified by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and make services available to all residents, with payment based on a sliding fee scale determined by income level and number of family members in the home.
Based on a $50,000 property value, an owner would only pay two cents per day for the levy renewal.
“When you add it up, it’s like providing the price of a pizza once a year to help many families who are struggling with mental health and/or addiction needs,” said Beth Cormack, executive director of CBHC.
Co-Chairs of the levy campaign are Jan Kobel and Fred Near, long time advocates of social services in Coshocton County. The levy, which is a renewal, goes back nearly 40 years in Coshocton County.
The organizations also are gathering together to celebrate National Recovery Month. Whether you are in recovery, know someone in recovery, know someone you wish were in recovery or are just interested in the general well-being of the community, you are invited to attend the Coshocton County Recovery Rally from 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, at Himebaugh Park, corner of Seventh and Orange streets, to commemorate the National Recovery Month locally.
The event will be family-friendly and hot dogs and drinks will be provided to all attendees. Children can play games on the lawn with local teens from the Youth Asset Leadership Team, so adults can focus on the rally.
To promote the widespread national observance, Coshocton Behavioral Health Choices, Coshocton Counseling Center and Thompkins Child & Adolescent Services of Coshocton County will host the recovery event. The rally will feature local residents who have found recovery through services offered in Coshocton County. The event is intended to support people in recovery and draw attention to critical prevention, treatment and recovery support services.
“It is critical that people experiencing mental and/or substance use disorders receive the support they need from the community,” said Chris Gallagher, site director of TCAS. “The reality is that behavioral health is essential to health; prevention works, treatment is effective and people recover.”
In 2011, 45.6 million people aged 18 or older had a mental illness according to the 2011 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an annual survey released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). However, only 31.6 million people received mental health services. In addition, 20.6 million people were classified with substance dependence or abuse in 2011, and 3.8 million people aged 12 or older received treatment for a substance use disorder.
Beth Cormack, director of CBHC sees addiction in families every day.
“We need to remember that mental health and/or addiction issues happen to people, both in the big cities and the small towns,” she said. “Everyone knows someone who is struggling with an issue which affects their families, their neighbors and the community at large. Statistics say that at least two in 10 people will be affected by these issues in their lifetimes and people need to be aware that recovery can happen, returning joy to people’s lives.”
Category: Clubs & Organizations
