MANSFIELD — Mental health services takes many forms, from counseling and therapy to substance-abuse prevention and education to recovery services.
In 2024, the Richland County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board and its partner agencies provided those services to 10,714 unique residents, including 3,520 children.
That translates to about 30 people per day.
There were 16,899 individuals who participated in substance-abuse prevention programs.
Executive director Sherry Branham-Fonner highlighted those stats at a Mansfield City Council meeting Tuesday night.
The primary function of the board is to develop and maintain a public health and addiction services system in Richland County. The board does not directly provide services, but does fund services using federal, state and levy dollars to contract with community agencies for services.
Since assuming the role of director in November 2023, the organization has launched a website to streamline information about various mental health agencies in the community.
“Behind the scenes, we work very closely together to meet the needs of the community in relationship to mental health and addiction,” Branham-Fonner said. “We’re very blessed to have a strong system of care.”
Branham-Fonner also asked council members to support the board’s upcoming levy renewal in November.
The one-mill, 10-year levy was first approved by voters in 1986 and most recently renewed in 2016. The board receives an annual average of $2,218,256 from the levy.
“We are very blessed that the community has supported this for decades,” Branham-Fonner said.
In addition to funding mental health and crisis response services, the board also helps provide services aimed at prevention, outreach and treatment, Crisis Intervention Team training for law enforcement and first responders, wellness programming in public school districts and prevention services through CACY.
A broad overview of the board’s work in 2024 is listed below. Some individuals may have received multiple services.
- 7,257 received mental health treatment
- 2,453 received substances use disorder treatment
- 1,224 accessed medication-assisted treatment
- 1,144 utilized harm reduction spending
- 890 accessed recovery supporting programming
- 29 pregnant women with substance use disorder were served
- 239 parents with substance use disorder and dependent children were served.
The mental health board’s helpline received 7,862 calls.
The board’s jail services included:
- 832 instances of suicide watch
- 1,308 mental health referrals
- 35 instances of crisis stabilization
- 2 instances of withdrawal management
- 31 Vivitrol injections administered
- 15 individuals involuntarily committed to hospitals
- 27 external referrals
Also in 2024, 20 people died by suicide and 27 people died due to an overdose in Richland County. There were 213 documented suicide attempts and 181 documented non-lethal overdoses.
Recovery Month events celebrate hope and resilience
Mayor Jodie Perry presented Branham-Fonner with a proclamation declaring September Recovery Month in the city, coinciding with a national movement.
“The focus of National Recovery Month is to celebrate the journey of recovery and the strength of the recovery community,” Perry said.
“Obviously, from those numbers, you can tell the deep need that still exists in the community, though certainly progress has been made.”
The board and its partner agencies will be hosting several initiatives and events for Recovery Month.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Richland County will be celebrating its new location with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 2 p.m. on Sept. 8.
Community Action for Capable Youth will be giving out free Deterra medication disposal pouches, a convenient and safe way to dispose of unused and unwanted medications.
New Beginnings Alcohol and Drug Treatment Services will host its 4th Annual Celebrate Recovery event on Sept. 10 from 3 to 6:30 p.m. at 703 Scholl Road. Parking will be available at the Rehab Center or the ballpark at 270 Sterkel Blvd.
The event will include with food, music and games. RSVP by calling 419-512-1724 and include name & number of attendees or scan the QR code in the image below to register.
The Richland County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board will host its annual meeting at DLX on Sept. 16 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Anthony Tabasco, forensic scientist with the Mansfield Police Department and Richland County Coroner Bob Ball will be the keynote speakers. To make a reservation and for more information about the event, please call 419-774-5811 or email agroff@rcmhb.org.
Family Life Counseling will host a 2nd Annual Recovery Chili Cook Off on Sept. 20 from noon to 3 p.m. The event will feature live music, food, kid’s games, community connections and more. Guest speaker Chad Evans will share his story of recovery, strength and hope at 240 Marion Avenue.
For up-to-date information on Recovery Month events, visit https://richlandmentalhealth.com/events/ or call 419-774-5811.
More on mental health services in Richland County
The Behavioral Health Urgent Care at Catalyst Life Services offers access to services without an appointment, including initial assessments or brief, solutions-focused counseling for mental health and addiction concerns.
Urgent Care is located at 741 Scholl Road, Monday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Tuesday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The mental health crisis hotline can be reached 24/7 by calling 419-522-4357.
The warm line is available 24/7 for those not in crisis who have questions or concerns regarding mental health. The phone number is 419-522-5300.
For more information on mental health services, addiction services and providers, visit the Richland Recovery Network website.
