1 day Ago By By WARREN DILLAWAY [email protected]
ASHTABULA TOWNSHIP — Keeping an eye on the health of those around us is important when dealing with substance abuse and mental health issues, Ashtabula County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board Executive Director Kaitie Hart said. She said a class in mental health first aid is a good way to learn the basics of helping people in the midst of a mental health event, or those needing recovery resources to battle substance abuse. An event designed to shed light on substance abuse and ways to heal from it will be at the forefront of the Ashtabula County Prevention Coalition’s Prev ention Awareness Recovery Treatment Conference, taking place Oct.
11 at Lakeside High School, Hart said. Prevention, awareness, recovery and treatment will be the focus of a conference that has taken place in the county for many years, she said. Professionals from substance abuse, counseling, law enforcement and many other sectors of society are scheduled to participate in the event.
Hart said regular de-escalation training with law enforcement is an important part of the agency’s role in trying to keep people in mental health crises from getting into a dangerous confrontation. She said the board is always evaluating techniques and trying to fine tune treatment and education to make sure it is up to date, as well as dealing with the issues facing people in the area. “Work is being done every day,” she said of the need to improve programs and increase access to treatment.
She said the agency is trying to continue expansion of programs where services can be rendered by agencies the board partners with on an ongoing basis. Area residents can be trained to serve on a mental health hotline to assist people who may be having a mental health crisis. Hart said video training is a key component of the educational process.
Substance abuse and mental health problems create situations that then lead people to homelessness, Hart said. She said there are some resources to help people find shelter if they find themselves without a place to stay. Hart said she is excited about a new Kent State University program that helps train the next generation of mental health professionals.
She said the program started last year, and is available at Kent State Ashtabula. Many organizations work under the board’s umbrella, including numerous counseling services and other treatment professionals. Hart said the contractors provide the services, and the board works to connect them with those in need of services.
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