Breakfast brings awareness for Mental Health Awareness Month
May 14—LIMA — Green was a prominent color at the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Allen, Auglaize and Hardin Counties' annual breakfast honoring Mental Health Awareness Month on Wednesday in Lima.
The green T-shirts provided to attendees had a message of "Be seen" on the front and "Courage starts with showing up & letting ourselves be seen," a quote from Brené Brown, on the back.
According to data provided during the presentation, overdose deaths decreased by 35 percent in Allen County and 9 percent in Ohio from 2022 to 2023.
Tammie Colon, executive director of the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board for Allen, Auglaize and Hardin Counties, expressed pride in the ongoing collaboration that continues to play a prominent role in the community.
"We could never accomplish that work in our community independently. It is the work of not only our providers, but it's the community embracing the challenge they had in front of them in all venues," Colon said.
Russ Thomas, executive director of We Care Regional Quality Recovery Housing and an independent contractor with the mental health board, labeled his former addiction battle as experience and training to assist those who battle today.
"I know firsthand how these things can spiral out of control, and they can eventually lead to many issues but the folks we serve suffer from," Thomas said. "The training I have doesn't come from a textbook, it comes from years of torment and destruction that addiction can cause."
Twenty-seven clients are on the recent Access to Wellness grant, Thomas said.
"Out of those 27, only two have returned to crisis services, and the remaining 25 are living self-sustained lives," he said.
Over the same time period, suicide rates were up 30 percent in Allen County. Colon assured attendees the board will remain focused on the issue.
"We're very aware that we did not continue to hold this statistic down, and we will be working very hard to show a difference next year," Colon said. "That's not acceptable for our community. It hurts my heart to know we've experienced those losses."
Tyler Smith, a volunteer board member and community health director at Mercy Health-St. Rita's Medical Center, shared the support Mercy Health has for the mental health and recovery services board.
"By doing so, they allow me to attend our monthly board meetings (and) be involved in initiatives like this, all while representing Allen County," Smith said.
The board has seven employees helping in three counties.
"In my world, that means you have three sets of county commissioners that you have to address, three sets of sheriffs, multiple police departments, three superintendents," Colon said.
The board strives to meet its goal of being a local organization making sure those with mental health illness live successfully in the community.
"It's our job to plan for services and invest in services to ensure we're capitalizing on all of our resources," Colon said.
In 2024, the board had an operating budget of $13 million, $6 million of which came from levies, according to data provided by Colon.
Allen County Commissioner Brian Winegardner read a proclamation in support of Mental Health Awareness Month.
Anyone in crisis can call the 24/7 local Hopeline at 1-800-567-HOPE (4673) or 988. For local resources, contact 211.
Reach Cade Higgins at 567-242-0351
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