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Mental health fair, panel to tackle broad issues

Hamilton Journal News (OH) - 4/20/2015

April 20--WEST CHESTER TWP. -- A diverse sector of mental health stakeholders will gather in early May to address Butler County's mental health needs.

Caring Community Collaborative, also known as C3, is hosting a mental health fair and panel discussion from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.May 8 at the Miami University Voice of America Learning Center.

Lynda O'Connor, event organizer and founding member of C3, an offshoot of the West Chester and Liberty Township Faith Alliance, said the goal of the collaborative is to bring the broader community together around community issues. They've held past events on youth, senior citizen and substance abuse issues.

"They all had a mental health component which brought us to we need to tackle that issue," O'Connor said.

A mental health fair with as many as 20 mental health and drug and alcohol addiction providers will be held immediately prior to the panel discussion that starts at 11:15 a.m.

The panel is diverse in that it includes representatives from a youth-focused provider, clergy, peer support, and mental health and addiction hospitals.

Panelists will include Scott Rasmus, Butler County Mental Health Board; Rhonda Benson, Butler County National Alliance on Mental Health; Rev. Daniel Clemens, First Baptist Church in Hamilton; Christy Honschopp, Beckett Springs Hospital; Dr. Michael Keys, Lindner Center of HOPE; and Sheree Lynch, Positive Leaps. The moderator will be Tom Kelechi, Envision Partnerships.

"It will be present and future discussion on trends, programming and issues, and from different perspectives," said Scott Rasmus, executive director of the county mental health board.

Rasmus said the diversity of Butler County's residents requires the need to tailor treatments based on prevention efforts, services and follow-up care.

"It gives you a flavor for and a holistic view of the state of our Butler County community in regards to mental health and addiction services," Rasmus said.

Rasmus said he believes the mental health fair and panel discussion will provide "another good venue" for promoting awareness, education and advocacy for those with mental health and addiction problems. He said it's necessary to continue reducing the stigma associated with mental health, as only one-third of those with a mental illness seek treatment.

O'Connor said the C3 events are typically by invitation only, but because mental health is such an impactful issue, the public is encouraged to email smahlock@thefaithalliance.org to reserve an open spot.

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(c)2015 Journal-News (Hamilton, Ohio)

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