PHOTOS: International Overdose Awareness Day Vigil Held Aug. 31

Approximately 200 people filled Lakeview Terrace on August 31 to remember those whose lives were lost to accidental overdose in Lorain County. In 2020, 138 lives were tragically lost to accidental overdose. The families of those whose lives were lost as well as those in recovery spoke about their experiences. Several partners from the Lorain County Opioid Action Team provided resources.

Leading up to the event, a number of locations around Lorain County displayed 138 flags and signage in memory of the 138 lives lost in 2020 due to accidental overdose. On August 31, employees at the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services Board of Lorain County dressed in purple in honor of the lives lost. The Lorain County vigil was one of hundreds that were held around the world on August 31 for International Overdose Awareness Day.

Below are some scenes from the event.

MHARS Board of Lorain County Receives Grant Funding for Mobile Response Stabilization Services

The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS), in partnership with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s Children’s Initiative and the Ohio Department of Medicaid, has announced that the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County is the recipient of a $224,368 grant for Mobile Response Stabilization Services (MRSS).

“This grant will allow us to reach youth and their families with critical services when and where they are most urgently needed,” said MHARS Board Executive Director Michael Doud. “It is an important addition to our toolbelt to ensure we improve our crisis response in Lorain County.”

The MHARS Board of Lorain County is one of eight behavioral health boards in Ohio to receive an MRSS grant. Ohio’s MRSS program provides mobile, on-site and rapid intervention for youth ages 0-21 who are experiencing a behavioral health crisis. This allows for immediate de-escalation of the situation in the least restrictive setting possible, prevention of the condition from worsening and the timely stabilization of the crisis. The mobile crisis component of MRSS is designed to provide time-limited, on-demand crisis intervention services in any setting in which a behavioral health crisis is occurring, including homes, schools and emergency departments. Depending on the needs of the child, the stabilization component may include a temporary, out-of-home crisis resolution in a safe environment.

“These investments are an important step forward for Ohio in meeting the needs of children and families experiencing a mental health crisis,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “While nobody can predict when and where a mental health crisis will occur, Ohio’s MRSS Program represents an important first line of defense in providing timely access to services, improving outcomes for children and families, and reducing burdens on law enforcement and emergency departments.”

“The goal of this program is to intercede before urgent behavioral situations become unmanageable emergencies,” said OhioMHAS Director Lori Criss. “This expansion will allow us to engage young people and their families immediately to de-escalate a crisis and provide local stabilization services that help keep them safe and healthy in their own homes and communities.”

Click here to view OhioMHAS’s press release.

PHOTOS: Elaine Georgas Retires After 30 Years with ADAS, MHARS Boards

On July 29, the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County bid farewell to former Interim Executive Director Elaine Georgas who retired after 30 years of service.

A retirement open house was held in her honor at the Amy Levin Center at the MHARS. Board of Directors President Dan Urbin presented her with a plaque in recognition of her service as well as a plaque that will be placed alongside a tree that was planted by the Amy Levin Center in her honor. County Commissioner Matt Lundy presented Georgas with a proclamation. Staff presented her with a gift on their behalf.

Below are scenes from the event.

Aug. 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day

The Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services Board of Lorain County will be joined by fellow Lorain County Opioid Action Team partners to hold a vigil on August 31 on International Overdose Awareness Day. The vigil will be held from 6-8 p.m. at Lakeview Terrace at Lakeview Park in memory of the 138 lives tragically lost in Lorain County in 2020 due to accidental overdose.

“Each year, the number of Lorain County residents who die from accidental overdose continues to rise and it is a problem not only in our area but around the country,” said MHARS Executive Director Michael Doud. “By increasing the public’s awareness of their proximity to those struggling with substance use disorder and reducing the stigma of drug-related deaths, we can all do our part to reduce the number of our loved ones lost to overdose.”

This year’s event will feature a candlelight vigil and shoe display memorializing those who have walked the road of addiction and died. In addition, those in recovery and the families of those lost to overdose will share their stories. Community partners will also be on hand to share important resources. The event is free and open to the public.

Leading up to the event, two free trainings will be held in August. All are invited to these trainings especially persons in recovery, the loved ones of those struggling with addiction, first responders, counselors, social workers, medical personnel, faith leaders, veterans, teachers, business leaders and community members:

• The Addiction Policy Forum and Recovery Ohio will conduct “enCompass: A Comprehensive Training on Navigating Addiction” on Aug. 26, 2021 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This virtual training is open to anyone interested in building skills to support and respond to someone in need of immediate help. RSVP at https://www.addictionpolicy.org/post/lorain-county-encompass-training.
• “Lorain County’s First Response Training Series: Preventing Opioid Deaths” will be held virtually on Aug. 17, 2021 from 1-3:30 p.m. Registration is open at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PAT21JZPTPe2zeu-4FMfQA

In 2019, there were a record 874 IOAD events of all kinds, held in 39 countries. Last year, despite the disruption caused by COVID-19, the world united again to hold 602 events. People and communities come together annually to raise awareness of one of the world’s most urgent public health crises – one that, unfortunately, is only getting worse.

According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime’s most recent World Annual Drug Report, 585,000 people around the world died as a result of drug use in 2017. Statistics for 2020 show that the situation has become even more critical since the current pandemic began, decreasing tolerance of people who struggle with substance user disorder and disrupting both services and the drug supply chain.

Those who are unable to attend the event but would like to support from afar are welcome to light up their homes in purple on August 31. They are also encouraged to wear purple at home, school and/or work and share photos of their gatherings on social media with the hashtag #EndOverdose.

We will livestream much of the event on our Facebook page at facebook.com/mharslc. Click here to view the event flyer.

A Note from MHARS Board Executive Director Michael Doud

The below letter appeared in the July 7, 2021 MHARS Board eNewsletter. If you’re not subscribed, sign up for our updates by clicking here.

Dear MHARS Board Supporter,

Hello. I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself as the new Executive Director of the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County. As a native of Lorain, I am thrilled to be serving the people of Lorain County.

Prior to joining the MHARS Board, I worked in behavioral health throughout Northeast Ohio for more than 30 years. Most recently, I was the Chief Operating Officer of the Emerald Development & Economic Network Inc. (EDEN), a non-profit community housing development agency in Cleveland. Before that, I was the Director of Adult Behavioral Health Services at the Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services (ADAMHS Board) of Cuyahoga County for 20 years. I have also worked at The Nord Center and St. Joseph/Community Health Partners in Lorain as well as Alternative Paths BHC in Medina. I’m a graduate of Cleveland State University, where I earned my B.A. I also hold a Master of Science degree in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University and am a Social Worker licensed by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage & Family Therapist Board.

After the merger of the mental and behavioral health boards of Lorain County about two years ago, there have been great strides to unite the services and mission of both under the leadership of former interim executive director Elaine Georgas. I thank her for her leadership and assisting me during my transition to this new role.

There are a number of challenges facing this community and I’m confident we will be able to face them. My goal is to see the continued enhancement of our crisis response system for both children and adults. There is a need for further investment in prevention and early intervention services. We must support the development of a continuum of housing and recovery support services to support the crisis system for those individuals exiting the most expensive service to be made available in this community. All of this is not an easy task but I’m very optimistic, as I see the enthusiasm shared by many of the key stakeholders in this community to support change.  We want this to be the community of choice.  I’m honored to lead this organization of talented professionals as we work in collaboration with the broader community in Lorain County.

I look forward to continuing the invaluable work of this Board and meeting with community leaders, supporters, the faith community and all those we serve. Very soon, you’ll see a number of important announcements about the MHARS Board and opportunities for you to support our various initiatives, programs and partners. We hope you’ll join us in promoting our good work and services.

Thank you,

Michael Doud
Executive Director
MHARS Board of Lorain County

MHARS Board of Directors Selects New FY 2022 Executive Leadership

At its regular monthly meeting on June 24, the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County’s board of directors selected new leadership for the 2022 Fiscal Year. They will assume their roles beginning on July 1, 2021.

“Congratulations to the board of directors’ officers on their leadership roles. We thank them for their continued support of the MHARS Board,” said Executive Director Michael Doud. “I look forward to working with them as we continue our important work throughout Lorain County.”

The new executive leadership team includes:

• Daniel Urbin, Chairperson: Daniel T. Urbin, an Avon Lake resident, served as a Board Member of the former Alcohol & Drug Addiction Services (ADAS) Board and Lorain County Mental Health Board (LCMHB) before their merger as the MHARS Board. Urbin has 38 years of experience working with individuals on their journeys to recovery. His previous experience also includes work with the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas Drug Court, Prison Ministry and as a Board Member of Lorain/Medina Community Based Correctional Facility (CBCF).  He is a Certified Peer Supporter, attended the National Conference for Addiction in Washington DC and is past President of Leadership Lorain County.
• Regan Phillips, Vice Chairperson: Regan Phillips, of North Ridgeville, is the City of Elyria’s Executive Administrator for the Council Clerk’s Office. Prior to her position with the City, she had extensive experience with nonprofit organizations including Habitat for Humanity and the YWCA, where she served as Program Director. She currently serves as the President of the African American Community Fund, an affiliate fund of the Community Foundation of Lorain County.  Phillips currently serves as the Lorain Section National Council of Negro Women President and previously served as 2nd Vice President for the NAACP. In addition, she has served on numerous boards including Leadership Lorain County, Elyria Kiwanis and the Urban League Guild. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Steve, and her daughter, Angel.
• Dr. Denise Eacott, Secretary: Dr. Denise Eacott, a Lorain resident, is the owner of Mindful Wellness Psychological Services, LLC in Amherst. She is a licensed psychologist with 20 years of experience in psychology and counseling throughout Northeast Ohio. She is a graduate of Cleveland State University (CSU), from which she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Master of Arts in Clinical/Counseling Psychology and her Doctorate in Urban Education with a specialization in counseling. Dr. Eacott’s previous volunteer work includes service on the former Lorain County Board of Mental Health, CSU’s Counseling Center and CSU Student Life’s advisory committee.
• David Ashenhurst, Chief Governance Officer: David Ashenhurst, of Oberlin, will continue his role as the MHARS Board of Directors Chief Governance Officer. He is the founder and president of the nonprofit Oberlin By Design, Inc. He has extensive experience in the realm of nonprofit administration with the Pew Charitable Trusts, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and Rotary International. Ashenhurst is also a past member of the Oberlin City Council and former executive director of the Nord Family Foundation. Highlights of his volunteer experience include work with the former Lorain County Board of Mental Health, the American Civil Liberties Union, Lorain County Board of Elections, Friends of Oberlin Underground Railroad Center, Inc. and Ohio Citizen Action.

In addition, the MHARS Board staff and its board of directors thank outgoing members Brandon Bobbitt and Dr. Tracey Frierson for their service to the board. Their terms will expire June 30, 2021. At the June 24 meeting, Mike Babet was sworn in, replacing the position to be vacated by Dr. Frierson. The Membership Committee of the Board of Directors is working to fill the position left by Bobbitt.

MHARS Board Bids Farewell to Longtime Board Member and Welcomes New Staff

On June 1, 2021, Pamela Waite stepped down from her board position on the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board. Since its merger in July 2019, she had served as the Board’s vice chairperson.  Pamela served on the former Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board of Lorain County since 2016 and prior to ADAS merging with the Lorain County Board of Mental Health in 2019.

“Pamela continued to ensure that the Boards focused on client-centered, outcome-driven service delivery,”  said, Executive Director Emeritus, Elaine Georgas.

Pamela has an extensive background in advocacy, nursing and mental health. The MHARS Board staff and board thank her for her service and lending her expertise. She will be missed. The board has begun its internal process for filling her position as vice chairperson.

This week, the MHARS Board welcomed its new Executive Director Michael Doud. Interim Executive Director Elaine Georgas will assist in Doud’s transition.

“Michael brings to the job an exceptional combination of energy, sensitivity, and proven leadership. Both the Board and Staff are impressed with his extensive knowledge of Northeast Ohio, his three decades of service within the mental health/substance abuse area, and his strong management skills,” said Board Chair Dr. Hope Moon. “We expect Michael to not only continue the MHARS Board’s excellent programs, but to work with partners and funders to help expand the MHARS Board’s programs to more people in need.”

Click here to read more about him.

The MHARS Board was also joined by a new Communications and Community Relations Director, Nancy Kelsey, in May. Nancy brings a diverse background of experience to this position.

Most recently, she served as the Assistant Director of Communications for the City of Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson’s office starting out as its Social Media & Digital Communications Manager. Her previous experience includes communications work with Cleveland State University’s Division of University Engagement and the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. In addition, she has nearly 10 years of experience as a reporter working in newsrooms around the country for news services, print, radio and digital media. She also spent two years working as an AmeriCorps volunteer teacher on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. She resides in Cleveland with her husband and two dogs.

Press Release: MHARS Board announces new Executive Director

LORAIN, OHIO – The Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County serves as the local authority for community mental health and substance use services. The Board is dedicated to improving the well-being of all members of the community by planning for, establishing and maintaining an effective, efficient, and quality system of mental health, addiction and recovery services for Lorain County.

After a four-month intensive search, the MHARS Board is pleased to announce the selection of Michael K. Doud as its new executive director. Mr. Doud follows the MHARS Board’s Interim Executive Director, Elaine Georgas, who assumed the interim position when the former Lorain County Board of Mental Health and Lorain County Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board merged in 2019. The MHARS Board selected Mr. Doud after an extensive regional search led by a team of current Board Members and executive search firm Waverly Partners of Cleveland.

Under Ms. Georgas’ dedicated leadership, the organization built on its strengths, developed new relationships, and strengthened existing relationships with partners and supporters. The MHARS Board would like to thank Ms. Georgas for her dedication and outstanding service during the rapid merger of the two boards and the issues facing the organization during the COVID pandemic.

The MHARS Board anticipates that Mr. Doud will leverage these achievements to help the organization expand its services to reach even more Lorain County residents in need.
“We are very excited to have Michael taking on the role of Executive Director of the MHARS Board,” says Dr. Hope Moon, the Board Chair. “Michael brings to the job an exceptional combination of energy, sensitivity, and proven leadership. Both the Board and Staff are impressed with his extensive knowledge of Northeast Ohio, his three decades of service within the mental health/substance abuse area, and his strong management skills.  We expect Michael to not only continue the MHARS Board’s excellent programs, but to work with partners and funders to help expand the MHARS Board’s programs to more people in need.”

Mr. Doud joins the MHARS Board after 32-years of work in the behavioral health arena.  Most recently, Mr. Doud was the Chief Operating Officer of the Emerald Development and Economic Network, a non-profit community housing development agency in Cleveland. Earlier in his career, he spent almost 20 years at the Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services Board of Cuyahoga County and also worked at the Nord Center and St. Joseph/Community Health Partners in Lorain. Mr. Doud has a BA degree from Cleveland State University and an MS degree in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University.

Mr. Doud said “I’m honored to be identified to lead such a dynamic, community-driven organization as the MHARS Board of Lorain County.” “I am optimistic about MHARS Board continued success and look forward to working closely with stakeholders and partners as we build upon our initiatives to support the recovery process of individuals in our communities.”  “I look forward to joining the MHARS Board in continuing to advance collaborative, cross-sector efforts to improve behavioral health services and access to quality care.”

Mr. Doud will assume the Executive Director position on June 1, 2021.

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Purple flags fly and purple lights shine for Overdose Awareness Day on August 31

Addiction is often a hushed topic, as families privately confront its effects, and even grieve over lives lost. The Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board is recognizing August 31 as International Overdose Awareness Day with a series of public, visible tributes across Lorain County. 

“Our Opioid Response Community Engagement Team wanted to put the topic of overdose and addiction right out there, in purple, for all to see and acknowledge,” said Jinx Mastney, the Board’s Opioid Response Outreach Coordinator and Chair of the team. “And we found eager partners in Lorain County businesses, organizations and residents who realize that it’s time to show clear support for families who are facing a disease that devastates, but from which it is possible to recover.” 

More than 30 businesses and organizations are displaying 89 purple flags, in tribute to the 89 lives lost to accidental overdose in Lorain County in 2019. Churches and other buildings with bells will toll them for 89 seconds at noon on Monday. Other buildings will shine with purple lights. 

The day launches September’s Recovery Month, a national observance to educate Americans that substance use treatment and mental health services can enable those with mental and substance use disorders to live healthy and rewarding lives.

“Our Board observes Overdose Awareness Day to acknowledge the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have died or had a permanent injury as a result of drug overdose. Seeing such widespread support from the community also encourages our addiction prevention work,” said Elaine Georgas, Interim Director of the MHARS Board.

Mastney said that she will be wearing purple, the international color of Overdose Awareness Day, on Monday. She also expects to see photos online of residents wearing purple, with posts using the hashtags #endoverdose and #recoveryisbeautiful. 

“The purple lights, purple flags, bells, and even my purple shirt, are a signal to the wider community that we support our neighbors, no matter their struggle,” Mastney said.

She also will attend an event hosted by Let’s Get Real, Inc., an agency in the MHARS network of addiction and mental health providers. The “Candles in Remembrance” event on Monday, August 31, at 8 p.m., at 1939 Oberlin Avenue in Lorain, will include the opportunity for participants to share a photo and a message about a loved one.

A map of flag locations, plus other information about activities, ways to get involved or find help for a loved one, are available at mharslc.org/recovery. Stories of recovery will be available throughout the month of September at the Board’s Facebook page, facebook.com/mharslc.  

The Addiction Helpline is available at 440-989-4900.

The MHARS Board is the behavioral health authority that plans, funds and monitors mental health and addiction services in Lorain County. Learn more at mharslc.org.

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