Holiday schedule for accessing services

Crisis resources are available year-round. If a person in Lorain County, Ohio, is experiencing a mental health crisis, call 9-1-1 or the hotline at 1-800-888-6161.

Non-emergency services also are available most days, but there will be a delay in response on some holidays. Please note the following:

Navigator non-emergency line (440-240-7025) will not be staffed on these holidays. However, callers may leave a voice mail at any time, and the call will be returned at the next opportunity:
Christmas Eve – Tuesday, December 24
Christmas Day – Wednesday, December 25
New Year’s Eve – Tuesday, December 31
New Year’s Day – Wednesday, January 1
Three Kings Day – Monday, January 6

Alcohol and Other Drug Services non-emergency line (440-282-9920), and the MHARS office (440-233-2020), will not be staffed on these holidays. However, callers may leave a voice mail at any time, and the call will be returned at the next opportunity:

Christmas Eve – Tuesday, December 24
Christmas Day – Wednesday, December 25
New Year’s Eve – Tuesday, December 31
New Year’s Day – Wednesday, January 1

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2020 trainings announced | Attend for free!

Learn how to talk about mental health and addiction, with compassion and confidence. Take a free class.

The Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County just announced the first of its 2020 learning opportunities — all free to people who live or work in Lorain County.

Register for any of the trainings at mhars.eventbrite.com.

01/17/20: Science of Addiction and Behavior in the Field (registration opens soon)
Part of the First Response Training Series. Speaker is Tom Stuber, President, CEO, The LCADA Way.

02/13/20 and 02/14/20: ASIST Certification Course
Attend these two days to achieve certification in ASIST – Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, at no cost to you. Requires no prior knowledge of mental health topics. CEUs available.

03/18/20 and 03/20/20: Mental Health First Aid Certification Course
Attend these two mornings to achieve certification in Mental Health First Aid – Adult at no cost to you. Requires no prior knowledge of mental health topics.

04/14/19 and 04/16/20: YOUTH Mental Health First Aid Certification Course (for adults who live or work with young people)
Attend these two mornings to achieve certification in Mental Health First Aid – Youth at no cost to you. Requires no prior knowledge of mental health topics.

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MHARS 2019-2020 Community Plan Approved by State

On September 17, 2019, Lori Criss, Director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) issued an approval letter accepting the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) of Lorain County 2019-2020 Community Plan. Pursuant to sections 5119.22(G) and 340.03(A)(1)(c) of the Ohio Revised Code (ORC), an OhioMHAS-approved plan is a required element for Board eligibility for state and federal funding.

The plan contains:

• needs assessment
• community plan priorities
• collaborations
• interaction between state hospitals, private hospitals and/or outpatient services and supports
• continuum of care service inventory

The plan is available here.

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