When experiencing a personal crisis or stressful ordeal, taking time out at a secluded area, like a park, can prove helpful in navigating one’s thoughts in a peaceful space.
Now through a joint initiative conducted by the Suicide Prevention Coalition and the Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Services Board of Logan and Champaign Counties, individuals visiting the parks around Bellefontaine also can be quickly connected with a helpful community resource in the form of the local crisis hotline.
Nearly a dozen crisis “stop signs,” intended to give pause in these circumstances have recently been installed in the city parks, listing the local 24/7 crisis hotline (800) 224-0422 or crisis text line, which can be reached by texting 4HOPE to 741741. It also displays the veteran and active duty crisis line, (800) 273-8255, and press 1.
Having crisis information physically present in these areas will hopefully increase the likelihood that someone will reach out to lifesaving help or to gain advice for a loved one, explained Ceci Yelton, Suicide Prevention Coalition chair.
“The goal of the project was to increase awareness and visualization of our local crisis hotline services, as well as the national crisis text line, and veterans and active duty crisis hotlines. We want people to know that help is always available.
“Whether you’re feeling anxious, depressed, or experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, someone is available to talk to you and help you navigate the station. You do not have to go through this alone.
“Maybe a loved one is struggling and you are not sure what to do, this hotline can help you access resources right here in Logan and Champaign Counties.”
Sign placements were approved by Bellefontaine Joint Recreation District Superintendent Kris Myers, and Logan County Engineer Scott Coleman provided staff members to assist in the implementation of the signs.
The new “stop signs” are located at the following parks: Blue Jacket Park, 900 Ludlow Road; Southview, 601 W. Lake Ave.; Lewis Ratleff Park, 300 Springhill St.; Fred Carter Park, 270 Lakewood Drive; Roadside Rest, 1319 State Route 540; Oakland Square Park, 230 Oakland Square; Jack Martin Park, 901 Reservoir Road; Mary Rutan Park, 500 E. Williams Ave.; and at Myeerah Nature Preserve, 7405 State Route 540.
Yelton also is reaching out to mayors and village officials so that signs can be placed in the parks in the areas around Logan County. The effort also is being developed in Champaign County as well.
Grant funding for the project was secured by the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Logan and Champaign Counties from Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services’ Community Education Grant, as well as the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities Crisis Text-Line mini grant award.
The sign idea was developed through collaboration with other communities’ suicide prevention coalitions. Yelton said Union County implemented a similar effort two years ago, and she was able to work alongside PASS Prevention to learn about their initiative.
Tammy Nicholl, MHDAS Board executive director, said providing access to the national crisis text-line is an especially valuable resource for young people and others more comfortable with this form of communication.
“As technology progresses and as our forms of communication have become more virtual and cell phone driven, especially for young people, the 24/7 crisis text line offers just another way to reach out for help when someone is feeling overwhelmed and hopeless.
“While it is not a local responder who will be responding to the text messages for help, when there are concerns for a person’s safety they will contact local first responders to go to the person and determine if they are safe or if they need some immediate intervention.”
As far as the local crisis hotline, Nicholl explained the MHDAS Board contracts with TCN Behavioral Health to operate the 24/7 hotline for Logan and Champaign counties..
“We want to encourage people to use this number for any major concern or crisis related to mental health or addiction. You don’t have to wait until someone is suicidal to reach out for help, resources and answers to your questions about accessing services. We want people to know that help and hope is available.
“Life for many of us today is stressful, and can get overwhelming sometimes. Asking for help is not a weakness – it is a strength.”