Harrison County Commissioners heard from veteran advocate Dirk Harkins Aug. 20 about a program he says could save the lives of veterans and first responders struggling with PTSD, anxiety and stress.
The treatment, called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, or TMS, is described by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as an alternative treatment option. Harkins, who received TMS in 2019, has since become an advocate and mentor for the therapy in Ohio, Florida and Missouri.
“The treatment I’m talking about is TMS,” Harkins told the board. “I’ve watched this treatment give hope to the hopeless, restore marriages and relationships and much more. But most of the benefits we’re seeing right off the first week is everybody’s sleeping better.”
Harkins is seeking funding for mobile medical vans that could deliver TMS in rural areas where access is limited. He said the current four brick-and-mortar sites in Ohio — Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and New Lexington — require some veterans to travel hours each day for a 15-minute session.
“So we’re having a hard time reaching those ones,” he said.
He cited sobering statistics, including an average of 22 veteran suicides per day nationwide, a number that rises to 75 when first responders are included. In Ohio, 230 veterans died by suicide in 2022. “I made a promise to my brothers and sisters to never leave anyone behind and I truly believe … we can do that,” Harkins said.
Due to funding cuts, Harkins said six TMS sites in Ohio were recently closed, leaving only the four current locations supported by $5 million in state funding. He told commissioners $2 million would support one brick-and-mortar site and two mobile units staffed with two technicians each.
He said his immediate goal is to bring a mobile unit to Harrison County, with $550,000 in startup costs needed for the first year.
“I’m tired of stepping on the side of graves so I’ll step on people’s feelings to get this project done,” Harkins said.
