Mental health support starts locally

This month I wanted to tackle a big and complex subject: mental health.

Mental health is not a new issue in our society. According to Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, conversations about mental health in the United States date back to the 1840s. Even then, experts understood stress, trauma and difficult living conditions could deeply affect a person’s well-being.

But for decades mental health struggles were often hidden, criticized or misunderstood.

In the 1950s professionals began pushing communities to better educate, support and treat people living with mental illness. At the same time, large state mental institutions were being closed in a movement known as deinstitutionalization, according to PBS Frontline.

Today, we are still seeing the effects. Many people struggling with severe mental illness do not have stable treatment, support systems or even safe housing.

So what is being done locally?

Here in Wayne and Holmes counties, numerous nonprofit organizations are working every day to provide treatment, support, intervention and long-term solutions for individuals and families affected by mental health challenges. At United Way Wayne and Holmes, we help support many of these efforts through grant funding and community partnerships.

Anazao Community Partners provides accredited mental health services beginning in preschool, helping identify trauma and emotional challenges early in a child’s life.

Catholic Charities partners with both county juvenile court systems: in Wayne County to provide early intervention, assessment and supportive services and in both Holmes and Wayne county juvenile courts to provide family-focused prevention and support services for high-risk youth in our community.

The Counseling Center of Wayne and Holmes Counties operates the local mental health crisis hotline. By calling 330-845-HELP, residents can speak with a live person who offers guidance, support and counseling. It also provides a mobile response team for residents under 21 that can travel anywhere in Wayne and Holmes counties to provide safety assessments, de-escalation, peer support and crisis intervention 24 hours a day.

NAMI Wayne and Holmes Counties offers daily peer support groups in Wooster and provides transportation for such meetings to residents in Wayne and Holmes counties. These groups create safe spaces where individuals can connect with others experiencing similar struggles. NAMI also offers local outreach to survivors of suicide loss during times of tragedy.

OneEighty Inc. offers mental health support services to survivors of domestic violence and abuse.

Pure Gift of God in Berlin provides therapy services for children and families involved in foster care and adoption.

These organizations are only a snapshot of the many mental health resources available in Wayne and Holmes counties. To access a more comprehensive list of local services and support, residents can simply dial 211 for help and referrals. The need is great, but so is the work being done.

Now the call to action.

Speak up. Stop hiding mental health struggles. The more openly we talk about mental health, the more people realize they are not alone.

Advocate. Talk with elected officials at the state and federal levels about prioritizing mental health funding and services.

Donate. Local organizations rely heavily on community support to provide flexible and responsive mental health services.

Volunteer. There are opportunities to help.

And if you are not sure where to start, reach out. I am always happy to connect people with resources, organizations and ways to get involved.

Katie Koglman is CEO of United Way Wayne and Holmes Counties.