LOVELAND MAGAZINE

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Tag: Clermont County Mental Health & Recovery Board

  • Clermont County Mental Health & Recovery Board Offers Funding Opportunities

    Clermont County Mental Health & Recovery Board Offers Funding Opportunities

    Batavia, Ohio – In an effort to foster activities that promote improved mental health and prevent addiction, or the harm associated with addiction, the Clermont County Mental Health and Recovery Board is has announced an opportunity for funding.

    The Board is looking for innovative projects that will positively affect mental health and/or prevent addiction, or harm associated with addiction, for any age group.

    Up to $30,000 is available for programs serving Clermont County residents. The maximum funding per project is $3,000. The grant period is July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.

    Any organized group in Clermont County – with the exception of the contract agencies of the Mental Health and Recovery Board – can apply for funding. Previously funded applicants are eligible to reapply. Applicants must have a financial structure in place to account for the awarded funds. Funds may not be used to cover ongoing operating expenses or to purchase equipment such as iPads, iPods, tablets, or other electronic items. The funds can be used for materials, supplies, and/or food for activities planned.

    To apply, submit a brief proposal that includes:

    • Name
    • Address
    • Email address
    • Phone number of the contact person
    • Description of the activity/purpose for which the grant will be used
    • Explanation of how the activity will promote positive mental health and/or prevent addiction
    • Description of what activity the mini grant will fund if used with other monies
    • Date(s) of activity
    • Amount of the funding request

    Note: Any prevention activities must be evidence-based in order to be eligible for funding.

    For additional information, such as a budget template and scoring criteria, please email Cindy Knoblauch at cknoblauch@ccmhrb.org.

    Proposals must be submitted no later than Friday, May 16, 2025.

    Send applications by USPS or email to Mini Grant Project, c/o Cindy Knoblauch.

    Mailing address:

    Clermont County Mental Health and Recovery Board

    2337 Clermont Center Drive, Batavia, OH 45103

    Email address: cknoblauch@ccmhrb.org

    In 2024, the Clermont County Mental Health and Recovery Board funded a total of fourteen (14) mini grants to nine (9) separate organizations. Seven (7) schools in Clermont County received grants that assisted in initiating activities that helped children stay drug-free, established mentoring programs, or promoted mental health well-being. In addition, grants were awarded to other agencies providing services directed to community members, such as Bluebird Bus of Hope and St. Vincent de Paul.

    Any group receiving funding is required to submit a report to the Mental Health and Recovery Board on its efforts and resulting outcomes following completion of the activity. A final accounting of expenditures and receipts must be submitted within 60 days of the end of the activity. All unused funds must be returned to the Mental Health and Recovery Board.

    It is possible that mini grants may not be available in the future or that a project funded once may not receive funds a second time, so mini grants should be viewed as one-time only funds.

    For questions about applying for these grants, call the Clermont County Mental Health and Recovery Board at (513)732-5400 or email Cindy Knoblauch at cknoblauch@ccmhrb.org.

  • Calls to Clermont County 528-SAVE crisis hotline increase

    Calls to Clermont County 528-SAVE crisis hotline increase

    Help is available 24/7 through the Clermont County Crisis Hotline at 528-SAVE (7283).  The Hotline is staffed by trained and licensed mental health providers who can assist with connection to needed services.  There is also a crisis text line that can be accessed 24/7.  Text the keyword “4hope” to 741 741.

    Ongoing stress due to the pandemic has contributed to increased calls to the Clermont County 528-SAVE Crisis Hotline over the past several months. The Clermont County Crisis Hotline has seen a 21-percent increase in the number of calls in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2020, as compared to the previous 12 months. The hotline has also seen an increase in the number of suicidal/crisis calls.

    “The long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is starting to take its toll,” said Lee Ann Watson, associate director, Clermont County Mental Health & Recovery Board. “This has been a challenging time for nearly everyone, especially those with possible underlying behavioral health concerns.”

    Clermont County has the second-highest suicide rate in Southwest Ohio and is 13th in the state per 100,000 for suicide deaths. Fortunately, there has not been an increase in suicide deaths in 2020.  People appear to be reaching out for help more than in previous years.  But there is still a reason for concern. While the suicide deaths have decreased in 2020, one death by suicide is too many.

    Watson asks people to recognize warning signs and know how to reach out for help.  It is important to know the warning signs and the resources to seek help because likely people who are depressed and at risk for suicide are not often motivated to seek help. Losses such as the end of a relationship, death of a loved one, or loss of employment, all of which are situations that can be occurring during COVID-19, can increase the risk for depression.

    Common Warning Signs of Acute Suicide Risk

    The following are not always communicated directly or outwardly:

    • Threatening to hurt or kill him or herself, or talking of wanting to hurt or kill him/herself; and or,
    • Looking for ways to kill him/herself by seeking access to firearms, available pills, or other means; and/or,
    • Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide, when these actions are out of the ordinary.

    Additional Warning Signs:

    • Increased substance (alcohol or drug) use
    • No reason for living; no sense of purpose in life
    • Anxiety, agitation, unable to sleep or sleeping all of the time
    • Feeling trapped – like there’s no way out
    • Hopelessness
    • Withdrawal from friends, family, and society
    • Rage, uncontrolled anger, seeking revenge
    • Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities, seemingly without thinking
    • Dramatic mood changes
    • Giving away prized possessions or seeking long-term care for pets

    (Source: American Association of Suicidology)

    Help is available 24/7 through the Clermont County Crisis Hotline at 528-SAVE (7283).  The Hotline is staffed by trained and licensed mental health providers who can assist with connection to needed services.  There is also a crisis text line that can be accessed 24/7.  Text the keyword “4hope” to 741 741.   

    High-risk groups: Men, those 65 and older
    Middle-aged men and individuals over the age of 65 comprise high-risk groups in Clermont County, similar to national trends. Men have always had a higher rate of suicide death than females, but the number of males dying from suicide has significantly increased. During 2019, 37-percent of the suicide deaths were men between the ages of 40-59.  This is a 100-percent increase in the number of deaths in 2019 of this age group compared to 2018.  In 2020, 88 percent of the suicide deaths were men.  Of those, 23 percent were aged 40-49, and 26 percent were aged 60-69.

    While it is often difficult for men to reach out for help, it is important for men to remember that now more than ever “it is ok not to be ok” and that feeling overwhelmed is not a sign of weakness.  Seeking help is a sign of strength.  Mental health professionals are available to assist with the specific needs and concerns of men.  Further, a 2019 study published in the Journal of Mental Health found that receiving support from a trusted and respected friend can be an effective suicide prevention strategy for men. Forming connections with other people who are going through the same thing can also be helpful.

    The Clermont County Suicide Prevention Coalition is working to decrease suicide in our County through increasing knowledge of warning signs, and availability of treatment. If you are interested in joining the Coalition, please contact Lee Ann Watson at (513) 732-5400.

    Number of overdose deaths decline; meth use increases

    With regard to unintentional fatal overdose deaths, Clermont County has seen a decrease in deaths over the past three years.

    The decrease in deaths can be partially attributed to the widespread distribution of Naloxone to county residents. While the overdose deaths have decreased, nonfatal overdoses are still occurring in Clermont County, albeit less than in previous years.

    Regarding non-fatal overdoses, the County was ranked 16th in the state in 2019 for the number of Naloxone administrations (387 doses; Ohio EMS, 2019). This ranking is based on the number of administrations, not by population. For the first three quarters in 2020, Clermont is ranked 17th in the state for the number of Naloxone administrations (315; Ohio EMS, 2020). The number of administrations is underreported since not all the EMS departments in Clermont County report the use of Naloxone, and the figures do not include the Naloxone utilized by law enforcement.

    Clermont County saw a surge in nonfatal overdoses in the summer months of 2020, but the overdoses have now decreased to lower than in the previous year.  There continue to be “hot spots” in Clermont County where overdoses are occurring:  Union Township; New Richmond and Felicity.

    The use of stimulants, particularly methamphetamine, has substantially increased in Clermont County. The degree of complexity related to stimulant misuse has impacted the county. A large portion of the homicides in 2019 was related to stimulant misuse. Individuals on meth can have extreme paranoia and often aggressive behavior, and difficult to engage in treatment.

    The CCMHRB’s substance use disorder treatment provider has seen an increase in treatment admissions for stimulant misuse in the last year (14 percent), and the local hospital also reports an increase in the rate of admissions to the Emergency Department (ED) and the behavioral health unit due to meth misuse.

    Individuals who are brought into the ED under the influence of meth most often have to be admitted to the behavioral health unit. Those stays are often long since it is taking several days for the individual to clear.

    Clermont County Children’s Protective Services has also reported a substantial increase in the number of children in custody due to stimulant use disorders. In 2019, more than 30 percent of the cases were related to methamphetamine.  The number of cases has increased in 2020 as reported by CPS.

    Stimulant misuse differs greatly from opioid misuse.  Due to the nature of the drug, individuals actively using stimulants are often not able to engage in discussions related to treatment, and therefore outreach to attempt to engage them in treatment is not successful as it has been for individuals using opioids.  Further, many individuals with a stimulant use disorder do not believe they have an addiction, and therefore do not voluntarily enroll in treatment.  The CCMHRB’s contract substance use disorder treatment provider reports that in 2019, 21 percent of clients identified stimulants as their primary drug of choice, while 34 percent identified opioids as their primary drug of choice.

  • Clermont authorities report increase in meth, cocaine and LSD after spring slowdown

    Clermont authorities report increase in meth, cocaine and LSD after spring slowdown

    Lt. Nick DeRose noted that the county also has experienced a rise in cocaine traffic – almost all laced with fentanyl – and LSD in recent weeks.

    Batavia, Ohio – Clermont County law enforcement and treatment specialists are noticing an uptick in methamphetamine (or meth) after a slowdown during the spring shutdown of the economy.

    The Clermont County Opiate Task Force touched base on drug and alcohol trends in the era of COVID-19 in an Aug. 13 meeting.

    For Help 24/7 Call: 528-SAVE (7283)

    Sheriff’s Office Lt. Nick DeRose, commander of the Clermont County Narcotics Task Force, said both volume and prices of meth have increased substantially in July and August. He noted that the county also has experienced a rise in cocaine traffic – almost all laced with fentanyl – and LSD in recent weeks.

    Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid analgesic that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), also known colloquially as acid, is a hallucinogenic drug. Effects typically include altered thoughts, feelings, and awareness of one’s surroundings. Many users see or hear things that do not exist. Dilated pupils, increased blood pressure, and increased body temperature are typical, according to a news release issued by the County.

    “COVID slowed things down, but come June there was a major increase – mainly a mixture of meth with fentanyl,” said Lt. Matt Green of the Union Township Police Department. “Some are doing meth and cocaine and not knowing they’ve been laced with fentanyl.”

    The department has handled 40 overdoses in the past two months, Green said.

    The report also noted that people who use meth experience a roller coaster of emotions, members of the task force reported. Many meth users are fidgety with nervous energy. They often experience psychosis, with symptoms including delusions, hallucinations, talking incoherently, and agitation. The person with the condition usually isn’t aware of his or her behavior.

    Dr. Shawn Ryan of BrightView said meth causes the body to produce an amount of brain hormones “off the chart.” He added that it’s difficult to normalize the hormones as part of a treatment plan.

    Jamie Lutson of Clermont County Municipal Court Probation said she had noticed a big increase in females addicted to meth. “Some say they are using the drug to stay awake so they can work and take care of their children.”

    Lutson added that alcoholic relapses occurred more frequently as treatment programs “came to a screeching halt.”

    Lee Ann Watson, associate director of the Clermont County Mental Health & Recovery Board and co-chair of the Opiate Task Force, said the group will use the input to help target efforts to address the situation.