Latest news with #MahoningCountyMentalHealthandRecoveryBoard
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Gun lock giveaway aims to save lives
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – Can the use of a gunlock on a firearm help reduce the incidence of accidental shootings and suicide deaths? Organizers of free gun lock giveaways this week in Youngstown hope to do just that. Mahoning County Prosecutor Lynn Maro, the Mahoning County Sheriff's Office, and the Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board obtained 350 gun locks through a grant program to give away. 'Even if it's one suicide we prevent by taking those few seconds to have to unlock the gun, then that certainly is worth taking the time to do these types of programs,' Maro said. 'We've already given some to other agencies such as Children Services, and we are working with Adult Protective Services. Organizers have been especially concerned with rising numbers of suicides ever since the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, Mahoning County recorded 56 suicide deaths, 33 involving firearms. As of the beginning of April 2025, there have already been 10 suicides, with six of those using guns. 'In speaking with the Mental Health and Recovery Board, they made the connection for me of the tie between gun locks and reducing suicide rates,' Maro said Once the locks have been distributed, officials will look at specific trends across the area. 'We do intend to go into these communities where we see the higher suicide rates, the accidental gun violence, and then hold some town halls in those communities,' Maro said. Another lock giveaway will be held Thursday from 1-3 p.m. at the Mahoning County Administration Building. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Mahoning County recognizes responders with critical incident training
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — Leaders with the Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board honored some of the area's finest Friday afternoon. Read next: Ohio unveils new system for unclaimed funds Twenty officers from different agencies were recognized for completing a course in Critical Incident Management. Organizers started offering it nearly 20 years ago. The 40-hour program trains officers on how to improve their responses in cases involving those with mental health and drug addiction issues, as well as domestic violence and other high-stress cases. 'It teaches them how to de-escalate situations,' Duane Piccirilli with the Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board said. 'People who are experiencing mental health issues that are addicted will react differently, so we wanna keep our officers safe first and also protect our consumers and their families.' Each of the twenty graduates was presented with a certificate and a special 'C-I-T' pin for their uniforms. 'Just based on my personal experience, I would say probably 90-95 percent of my caseload has some sort of mental illness or substance abuse disorders,' Marissa Frasure with the Ohio Adult Parole Authority said. 'We go out to a house, and we never know what state of mind somebody may be in.' Organizers tell First News at least one member of every law enforcement agency in Mahoning County has completed the course, and there are now Critical Incident Teams in all 88 counties in Ohio. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
