Issue 24: Countywide mental health levy provides treatment for those in need

ELYRIA — Residents across the county are being asked to renew a 1.2-mill, 10-year levy that benefits friends, family and neighbors who may be suffering from mental health issues or addiction. The levy, which generates $8.6 million annually, raises funds for the Mental Health Addiction and Recovery Services' (MHARS) operating costs. MHARS provides services and resources to residents who do not have the means to pay for mental health services, crisis response, temporary housing and a number of other issues. "As the county MHARS, per state statute, we survey the needs of the county to provide counseling, psychiatric care, case management, peer support and pay for these services for people with no insurance or who are indigent," said Mark Johnson, MHARS chief of behavioral health services. About 13,000 residents interact with MHARS providers throughout any given year with the agency offering resources through law enforcement, schools, shelters and other non-profit agencies. Additionally, the agency is building the Lorain County Crisis Receiving Center, which will be a 32-bed facility meant to provide immediate crisis treatment. "Instead of going to jail, people will be able to get treatment right away," said Rick Sherlock, director of public relations and communications. "This will relieve a lot of time for local law enforcement and people will be able to get the addiction and mental illness services they need instead of going to jail." Currently, if someone is experiencing a crisis, the response, which has been the same since the '60s, is to call the police, who then have the option of transporting the person to jail or to the hospital. "Emergency rooms have to deal with this, but it's not why they were designed," Johnson said. "The center will give law enforcement and EMS another option. They will receive immediate services, crisis counseling and will be linked with ongoing services." The facility, which is scheduled to open this time next year, is being financed with federal, state and county funds. The MHARS board dedicated up to $4 million to the project, which is matched for up to $4 million by the county. "We will use federal, state and other money before using the levy and county money," Johnson said. "Right now, we're coming in under budget and we are not using future money. We already have money set aside." The Crisis Receiving Center is another level of care not available in Lorain County, Johnson said. In fact, many cities do not have a facility like this, which is why Lorain County is being used as a model for others. "Lorain County is ahead of the curve in the state of Ohio," Johnson said. "The state mental health board has been really focused on this, especially for the past two years, but Lorain County has been working on this since 2017." The facility will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week with 16 beds dedicated to mental health patients and 16 beds for addiction treatment. Issue 24 will cost the owner of a $100,000 home $32 per year. "It's a renewal, so it won't raise taxes," Sherlock said. "Without it, people would be lost." — Christina Jolliffe Issue 24What it is: A 1.2-mill renewal levyDuration: 10 yearsHow much would it raise: $8.6 million annuallyPurpose: To raise money for operating costsCost to homeowner/taxpayer: The owner of a $100,000 home will pay about $32 annually