TMS program to return to Harrison County

It’s called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and it now appears to be making its way to Harrison County in a permanent fashion as part of Operation Veteran Payback. The device has been receiving rave reviews in treating PTSD, migraines and other mental ailments such as addictions.

Veteran Dirk Harkins has been spearheading the move and when he appeared at the Harrison County Commissioners Feb. 11 meeting he brought along Jail Administrator Mark Smith and Sheriff Mark Touville.

Harkins said the equipment previously was available in the county before being relocated to Columbus, Cincinnati and Cleveland. He said the TMS program is now returning — and treatment will be free.

“I get calls four or five times a week from right here in our county who don’t even fit the description of a veteran or first responder, but can benefit from this immensely,” Harkins told the board.

Harkins said another change is that they will own the equipment to treat people and after being in communication with the manufacturer in California, said the one unit will be permanent at the sheriff’s office. There is an initial cost of $25,000 for the EEG machine but that will not be passed on to the people who need the treatment.

“It’s going to be totally free for anyone who wants to use it,” Harkins said.

Harkins said veterans who have received the 30-minute treatment reported sleeping through the night for the first time in years. He said his own anxiety has subsided and that the treatment has helped reduce suicidal thoughts. He added that the therapy is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treating migraine headaches.

Smith shared his experience after contracting COVID-19, which he said caused long-term health problems.

“It depleted me completely,” Smith said, describing weakness, fatigue and sleep issues that he feared affected his nervous system. “So I was not sleeping and I was very sick and it was becoming very scary.”

Smith said the machine maps brain activity and uses magnetic stimulation to help regulate chemical imbalances. After receiving treatment tailored specifically to him, he said he began sleeping better and felt calmer.

“This is an opportunity for us to help a lot of people, not just in our jail but in the community,” Smith said.

Touville said he has seen the treatment produce dramatic results.

“I know people that it has helped,” Touville said, adding that he witnessed a complete change in one individual. He pledged his support for the program.

“And the great thing about it is, it doesn’t come in a bottle and it doesn’t come in a can,” Touville said.