This Is It

by

This is it.

The levy is approaching rapidly, and we still need people who care to vote for this levy, the levy that will provide the Mental Health Recovery and Services Board with more funding, which will go towards better, and newer programs that can be utilized by the public. 

I’ve been blogging a lot about the levy in general, about what some of the organizations are which are underneath the umbrella of the We Care People.  I always love hearing reactions from the public, considering they are the voters.  So I’ve been asking some of them about their opinions on the levy.

The Auglaize Council on Aging said, “The mental health issue I do support;  it helps many elderly residents in Auglaize County.”
Valerie Coffey, of Wapakoneta, said, “Keeping services available and ahead of trending needs are critical. We are all affected by mental health, our own and that existing in our communities. If one is not mentally ill he should want the same for others. Treatment is not all pills.  Counseling and peer support options are integral parts of overcoming and coping with addiction, depressive issues, grief, family stresses...we all need to be heard and feel we matter. Having many approaches and options gives better outcomes and having help locally helps people get to needed services more readily. I want a strong MHRSB for a strong community.”

I also spoke with Christina Ryan Claypool, who said,  “It is rather easy to overlook supporting a mental health levy when so many other pressing needs seem to abound. Yet as an individual who has been on both sides of the mental health coin, I can assure you that it is a societal responsibility. After all, those in need of mental health services like I once was as an emotionally depressed and suicidal teenager growing up in Lima, are unable to advocate for themselves. The marginalized, the addicted, and those who have lost hope are unable to speak up for themselves. We must champion their cause. The MHRSB is there as a voice for today, and as a bridge to a better tomorrow for the local residents suffering from the very real pain and turmoil that mental illness creates. Give these hurting ones hope by casting your vote. It's one important way to show them that their community really cares!"

These are just a few of the responses I have gotten from people I have spoken with.  The bottom line is, we all seem to be advocates for this mental health levy.  And that is fine.  That is great!  But now we need to prove it by voting for this levy on November 5.  Please take the time to come out and show your support by casting your vote.


We need you!