Father Tim West and Chief Dean Ortlieb (both with Urbana Fire/EMS) recently noticed an opportunity for county-wide collaboration in support of our community of First Responders. It is the nature of the job of First Responders to be exposed to traumatic events. When something tragic happens, the response in support of those involved must be quick, peer driven, and be assisted by faith based partners and mental health professionals.

Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) is that response model and is used internationally. This fall, Father Tim wrote a grant to the MHDAS Board for the cost of bringing in a nationally known and highly respected trainer on CISM, Bill Wall.  The training was supposed to happen in 2020, but the community readiness and outpouring of interest in being partners in this effort drove the date up to December 3 – 4, 2019.  According to Dave Torsell of Champaign County EMA, this is the first training Champaign County has had on CISM in roughly 25 years. It is inspiring to see the level of commitment and interest in partnering in this way across the entire county. Here were the agencies represented: 

• Champaign County Sheriff’s Office
• Urbana Police Department and Fire/EMS
• St. Paris Fire/EMS
• Rosewood Fire/EMS
• Mechanicsburg Police Department and Fire/EMS
• Graham Schools Administration and Staff
• Renewed Strength Church in Westville
• Champaign County EMA
• Fowler Counseling and Consultation Services
• Mercy Hospital

 
As a result of this training, there are now 35 people in our community with the knowledge and skills to respond quickly to traumatic events to offer quick support and help to improve the resilience of our brave men and women who serve our communities so professionally and faithfully.  If you have an interest in receiving this excellent training and being a CISM supporter, please reach out to the MHDAS Board.

Introduction/Background
​A Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) is a “systematic effort to address issues identified by [an] assessment and community health improvement process.”1 Logan county’s Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) is based on data gathered from Logan County communities through the community health assessment and extensive input from over 90 community leaders and residents. The Community Health Assessment (CHA) created a picture of the needs of Logan County, identified community and data strengths and challenges, and provided information for next steps to improve the quality of life and health in Logan County.

Purpose of the CHIP
The purpose of the Logan County Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) is to guide the efforts participating organizations will engage over the next several years to improve the quality of life and health of Logan County residents. The focus of this CHIP is to develop a roadmap to improve a wide range of quality of life issues for the residents of Logan County that is not restricted to addressing only disease conditions.

The CHIP process is typically led by the health department or hospital and involves many other organizations as well as residents. Through the process the major health needs of a community are documented and identified, and a set of priorities are agreed on by all the participants. For each of the priorities, specific strategies that are designed to address the priorities in order to improve the community’s health and well-being.

​This community health improvement plan was developed by a team that consisted of several community health and social service organizations that serve Logan County residents. The team included representatives from Mary Rutan Hospital, Logan County Health District, United Way, Community Health and Wellness Partners of Logan County, and Mental Health Drug & Alcohol Services Board for Logan and Champaign Counties. Extensive input was obtained in the development of the plan from over 90 community leaders and residents. 

Click to download and read the full 2019-21 Logan County CHIP.

These trainings will ENGAGE you, INSPIRE you and EXPAND your understanding of mental illness!

​Mental Health First Aid is an interactive, 8-hour Adult certification course that presents an overview of mental illness and substance use disorders in the U.S., introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems, builds understanding of their impact and overviews common treatments. Those who take the courses to certify as Adult Mental Health First Aiders learn a 5-step action plan encompassing the skills, resources and knowledge to help an individual in crisis connect with appropriate professional, peer, social, and self-help care.

​Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.
​
Adult Trainings Available 
Intended Audience: Individuals who encounter adults 
→Wednesday, September 11, 2019 @ 8am to 5pm (sign-in at 7:30am)
@ Quest Community Church, 110 South St, West Liberty, OH 43357 (lunch provided)           
Cost: FREE Thanks to the Mental Health, Drug & Alcohol Services Board of Logan & Champaign Counties and Suicide Prevention Coalition       
Register By: Wednesday September 4th, 2019

Youth Trainings Available 
Intended Audience: Individuals working with youth 
→Wednesday, September 18, 2019 @ 8am to 5pm (sign-in at 7:30am)
@ Quest Community Church, 110 South St, West Liberty, OH 43357 (lunch provided)
Cost: FREE Thanks to Mental Health, Drug & Alcohol Services Board of Logan & Champaign Counties, Suicide Prevention Coalition & Logan County Family & Children First Council            
Register By: Wednesday September 11th, 2019

(Registration includes: a 200+ page comprehensive manual, all materials, and a 3 year certification)

YOUTH MHFA Training Sponsored by:

• Mental Health, Drug & Alcohol Services Board of Logan & Champaign Counties
  
• Suicide Prevention Coalition
  
• ​Logan County Family & Children First Council           

​
ADULT MHFA Training Sponsored by:

• Mental Health, Drug & Alcohol Services Board of Logan & Champaign Counties
  
• Suicide Prevention Coalition

For additional information on the YOUTH MHFA Training please contact:
Veronica Brady familyadvocate@logancbdd.org

For additional information on the ADULT MHFA Training please contact:
Stacey Logwood – slogwood@mhdas.org or Julie Wilcox – jwilcox@tcn.org
​

Join us for a free Mental Wellness Work Shop this March 2nd and March 16th at the Logan County Coop!