Improving Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Awareness and Resources
T
he numbers are troubling. Nearly 25 percent of Ohio adults are experiencing mental health illness according to the State of Mental Health in America, a 2022 report published by Mental Health America (MHA). Only three other states reported higher figures. Based on MHA’s survey measuring the prevalence of mental health issues as well as access to health care, Ohio’s national ranking dropped from 11th to 25th in just one year – suggesting the situation is drastically worsening year after year. Dialing things in a bit closer to home, a new analysis by MHA finds in 2020 and 2021, of all large counties in the United States, Franklin County had the highest percentage of help-seeking population screen at-risk for psychotic-like experiences. While not always the case, mental health issues and substance misuse are often directly or indirectly connected to one another, and Grove City is not immune to the consequences. Substance misuse often contributes to criminal behavior, which the Grove City Division of Police does an amazing job combating. Yet most unsettling is the resulting dismantling of families and loss of life. The number of reported overdoses in Grove City remains alarming at approximately 226 in the last two years combined; 23 of those incidents resulted in death. Fortunately, our first responders are equipped with naloxone and administer the opioid agonistic medicine, when possible, to save lives.
Connect with us! 6 May/June 2022
Despite their importance to a person’s overall well-being, mental health and substance use disorder treatments have long been stigmatized. Though this started to change for the better in recent years, there is still a hesitancy to seek help or even talk about it with family or physicians for fear of judgment or encountering unnecessary criticism. It’s beyond the time for all of this to change, and improving awareness while increasing availability of resources could quite possibly be an important part of the solution. With that in mind, I signed a resolution passed by City Council in February 2020 that includes the formation of a committee to create a mental health and substance use disorder action plan. The committee is comprised of 17 qual-
ified and highly motivated members, including physicians, recovery professionals, attorneys, educators, first responders and other community stakeholders. This dedicated group, overcoming the challenges of a pandemic, have routinely met to create the soon-to-be-implemented plan that promises to positively impact progress toward our goals. It’s important to create a citywide movement that fosters collaboration and integrates the efforts of all parts of our community while connecting with county and state-level initiatives to break down stigma, increase resources, support recovery and redefine mental wellness. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a coming together to raise awareness of the importance of improved mental health and support for those living with a mental illness. May 8-14 is National Prevention Week, focusing on the importance of substance use prevention and encouraging others to offer support. It’s important our community understands there are places to go, resources available and a growing understanding to let them know they are not alone. I encourage residents to join us in embracing this opportunity to make a change and elevate the conversation.
Mayor Richard L. “Ike” Stage
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