Morrow County commissioners approved a proclamation recognizing September as National Recovery Month during their Sept. 14 meeting, the Morrow County Sentinel reported. The proclamation cited data showing the county's publicly funded behavioral health system served over 5,000 residents in fiscal year 2025.
Delaware-Morrow Mental Health and Recovery Services Board Director Deanna Brant briefed commissioners on changes and grants. She said a November ballot measure asks voters to renew 1.5 mills and add 0.5 mill for the board. Brant attributed the increase to demand for crisis response, addiction treatment, and youth mental health services, noting rising needs and costs.
The Sentinel reported that Meadow Center in Mount Gilead now hosts HelpLine, Southwest Healthcare, Syntero, and NAMI, among other services. Other providers listed include Safe Harbor, No Limits Outreach Center in Edison, PASS, and Turning Point Shelter & Support. Maryhaven closed regional offices, while Coleman Health Services is new for recovery housing.
Prevention and education make up 30% of programs, including school-based efforts on vaping, dating violence, and suicide prevention, according to the report. State grant funds supported a new digital crisis connection platform. The board also received a $300,000 federal grant for a specially equipped transport truck that Morrow County can use in other health emergencies.
Brant said 74% of local mental health and recovery services are funded by the levy. The levy also supports crisis response, part of a county detective job, jail and court services, and some hospital services. The report put the cost at $50 per $100,000 of appraised value, or about $111 yearly for a $222,000 home. A recent survey found 75% of residents had friends or relatives who used these services, Brant said.