• Marion-area organizations are strengthening coordination among behavioral health, addiction and developmental disability services to better support individuals and families.
• Community partners are working to connect residents with resources earlier, including peer support, housing, food and other services.
• A community town hall invited residents to share feedback and help shape efforts to improve access to care and promote greater understanding of behavioral health challenges.

Marion-area organizations are working together to strengthen connections to behavioral health, addiction and developmental disability resources. On Tuesday, Oct. 20, they invited community members to help shape the next steps.

The community town hall at Marion First Church of the Nazarene was the third gathering in a series focused on improving coordination among local agencies. The event highlighted progress, shared available resources and gave residents an opportunity to discuss how agencies can better support individuals and families throughout the region.

The summit series is presented in collaboration with OhioHealth Marion General Hospital, The Ohio State University at Marion, Marion Community Foundation, Marion County Courts, ADAMH and the Marion County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

“We’re bringing agencies together so we can work more effectively and create a stronger continuum of care,” said Jim Parobek, president of OhioHealth Marion General Hospital. “One of our main priorities at Marion General is behavioral health services for the community.” 

The collaboration is focused on helping individuals and families connect with resources earlier and ensuring they have support throughout their care journey.

“We find many people coming to us through the emergency room when they’re in crisis. We want to make sure people who are starting to experience behavioral health challenges, or their family members, know what support they can access before they need the emergency department.”

That support can extend beyond clinical care to include connections to food, clothing, housing and follow-up services. By improving coordination among organizations, the initiative aims to help people navigate available resources and maintain support as their needs change.

Brad DeCamp, executive director of the Crawford-Marion Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health (ADAMH) Board, said peer support is one way to help bridge gaps between services and build connections with individuals seeking assistance.

“It is a really powerful player in terms of bringing those forces together, because there are things that a peer can relate to. Someone who's walked a mile in their shoes and can build that rapport with people,” DeCamp said.

He also emphasized the importance of keeping conversations about mental health visible and helping people understand that treatment and support can make a difference.

“We collectively just have to keep talking about things,” DeCamp said. “We have to keep it in front of people, making sure that they understand that there are services available and that people can thrive under the right circumstances.”

Community participation is an important part of that effort. The Oct. 20 gathering gave residents an opportunity to hear about the work underway, share their experiences and identify areas where outreach and services could improve. Participants heard presentations from four work groups and had the opportunity to discuss what stood out, what might be missing and how existing efforts could be expanded.

Nicole Bussey, a Marion resident who attended the event through Marion Matters, said she appreciates seeing organizations work together to address community needs.

“Mental health is such a real thing for people. It can change in an instant,” Bussey said.

Having grown up in Marion, Bussey said she has seen efforts to improve the community and hopes those efforts reach more neighborhoods.

“This means a lot, actually, because I see Marion really trying,” Bussey said. “I see everybody trying and I hear about it, read about it. Now the rest of the community needs to get involved to make things better.”

Bussey also said greater understanding can help people feel supported rather than judged and foster a more compassionate approach to those living with mental health conditions.

“There is a lot to do in this space,” Parobek said. “I'm proud of the work that we're doing and how many people have come together, because we all want this to get better and we're all working together.”

“There's always hope when there's a community that cares,” DeCamp said. “There are a lot of people who care here in Marion County for those individuals, for their neighbors, and who want to do their best to help them.”

• 23 Marion-area agencies are collaborating to improve access to behavioral health, addiction and developmental disability resources.
• Organizations are focusing on better communication, resource navigation, crisis response and targeted outreach.
• A free community town hall on Oct. 20 will bring together professionals, families and community members to continue the conversation.

Marion-area organizations are continuing to work together to strengthen how individuals and families connect with behavioral health, addiction and developmental disability resources.

Representatives from 23 Marion-area agencies first came together Sept. 9 for a summit focused on improving coordination and identifying opportunities to work more effectively across organizations. The group met again Oct. 7 to build on that conversation and identify priorities for continued collaboration.

The events are presented in collaboration with OhioHealth Marion General Hospital, The Ohio State University at Marion, Marion Community Foundation, Marion County Courts, ADAMH and the Marion County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

The Oct. 7 work session focused on four areas: communication and resources, system navigation, crisis response and targeted outreach. Across the groups, participants discussed ways to better connect existing resources and make it easier for people to find support.

“We all have some small part of it that we do,” said Judge Larry Heiser of the Marion County Family Court. “If we become aware of the other parts, the resources that are available and the people behind them, then we have the ability to pick up the phone and make those connections.”

Heiser said the initiative is helping organizations better coordinate services for individuals and families they often serve in common. The needs he sees often extend beyond the court system, making connections to resources for housing, medication management, appointments and social support especially important.

Dallas Erdmann, MD, OhioHealth system chief, Behavioral Health, said the challenge is not necessarily a lack of resources, but making sure people know how to find and navigate those resources when they need them.

“There are a lot of touch points where people can enter the behavioral health and substance use system,” Dr. Erdmann said. “It can be difficult for an individual or a family to know where to go. Those of us that work in the system understand the resources that are there, but I think it’s very challenging if you’re the average citizen out there that finds themself in need.”

He said Marion's organizations are well positioned to make progress with this.

“What has most impressed me is the degree of collaboration,” Dr. Erdmann said. “All of these organizations coming together so that we can unify in the message that’s being sent and achieve some common goals.”

Judge Teresa Ballinger of Marion Municipal Court said the effort reflects Marion's willingness to come together around complex needs affecting local families.

“We are a community of action,” Ballinger said. “As with poverty and addiction and now with behavioral health and developmental disabilities, our community is coming together to better address issues of family needs, agency navigation and collaboration with all involved.”

The collaboration will continue with a community event from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, at Marion First Church of the Nazarene, 233 W. Church St., Marion. The event is free and open to the public. Those who serve, support or care for adults and families affected by behavioral health, addiction or developmental disabilities are encouraged to attend.

“It is critical to our community’s success that we create opportunities for open dialogue with the professionals, families and individuals who work with and rely on services for developmental disabilities and behavioral health challenges every day,” said Cheryl Plaster, superintendent of the Marion County Board of Developmental Disabilities. “We are proud to be part of this collaborative effort and look forward to continuing the conversation and learning directly from those we serve at the town hall meeting on Oct. 20.”

For more information on the upcoming community event, call 740-383-8626.

“A mental health crisis is a medical crisis,” said Megan Schabbing, MD, medical director of psychiatric emergency services at OhioHealth. “I tell my patients all the time, if you’re suffering from anxiety or having depression, that is just as if you are suffering from diabetes. There is no reason to be embarrassed. You need to reach out and get some help because this is a fixable problem."

Suicide is not only a concern for those with known mental health conditions. According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, more than half of people who die by suicide had no prior mental health diagnosis. Dr. Schabbing said stressful life events can lead someone to experience what is called  “frantic hopelessness,” a feeling of being trapped with no way forward.

If you or a loved one is struggling, Dr. Schabbing recommends reaching out to a primary care physician to start addressing the issue. In urgent situations, when someone expresses thoughts of suicide or plans to harm themselves, immediate action is critical, such as visiting an emergency department or contacting a local mental health crisis center.

If you are in crisis, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. 

To learn more about behavioral and mental health services at OhioHealth, click here.

Understanding addiction as a disease

Substance use disorder is a medical condition that changes how the brain works, yet it remains widely misunderstood. 

“We frequently see misconceptions related to stigma and judgement of individuals with substance use disorders,” said Hailey Sprouse, registered nurse, clinical manager for OhioHealth Addiction Medicine in Athens. 

“The idea that ‘addiction is a choice’ or that people with substance use disorder lack willpower is common,” said Sprouse. “It’s important for everyone to understand that addiction is not a character flaw, it’s a brain disease that requires treatment, just as diabetes or heart disease does.” 

What recovery really looks like

Recognizing the signs of substance use disorder early can save lives and prevent long-term damage. 

“Early detection and intervention lead to better outcomes in almost all diseases,” Sprouse said. “Substance use disorders are no different.”

Recovery is not a single moment, but a daily process that touches every part of a person’s life. OhioHealth addiction medicine physician Christopher Meyer, DO explains what this journey involves.

“Recovery means living free from the control of drugs or alcohol and taking care of daily responsibilities,” said Dr. Meyer.

Navigating the path to wellness often means using all available tools, including medication.

“We have medicines that can help people quit tobacco, alcohol and opioid use. For opioid addiction, treatments like Suboxone, methadone, and naltrexone can help patients stay in recovery and avoid serious health issues,” explained Dr. Meyer.

However, recovery is about more than finding the right medication. Many people also require counseling, and attendance at mutual support group meetings like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous can be helpful, according to Dr. Meyer. 

Staying engaged and active is also important. 

“Studies show that folks who find employment and who return to the workforce do better,” said Dr. Meyer. “People who struggle with alcohol or drugs spend inordinate amounts of time using those substances and when gone there is a void left behind that needs [to be] filled with healthy choices like exercise, hobbies, travel and service work.”

How to recognize and respond to an overdose

An overdose can happen anywhere. Knowing the warning signs is crucial for a timely and effective response.

“An individual seemingly passed out and unarousable is a key indicator,” said Dr. Meyer.

Quick action can save a life. It is critical to know exactly what to do.

“During an overdose, call 911, attempt to wake the person, use naloxone if it’s available and if not, begin CPR,” said Dr. Meyer.

Naloxone, more commonly known by the brand name Narcan, is a medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It is often the first line of defense.

“Providing intranasal Narcan is a game-changing life saver and the first line of treatment for unarousable individuals suffering with suspected opioid overdose followed by calling 911,” Dr. Meyer emphasized.

Hope close to home

For those in the Athens area seeking help, specialized addiction care is more accessible than ever. Thanks to a grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, OhioHealth is changing how patients in Southeast Ohio receive support, both inside and outside of the hospital.

The program features a dedicated addiction medicine team, including a nurse practitioner who meets with patients hospitalized at OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital in Athens, offering immediate care and treatment planning. 

A substance use navigator serves out in the community, connecting with individuals at local spots like libraries or departments of Job and Family Services and is even able to link people to telehealth appointments on the spot. Rounding out the team are clinic-based addiction medicine physicians who support the medical needs of people with substance use disorders beyond the hospital setting.

This unique model is designed to meet people where they are, removing barriers to care and making help easier to access. 

The addiction consult service funded through HRSA is new to O’Bleness Hospital and adds a specialty service that was previously lacking,” said Dr. Meyer. “The team greatly expands resources available in the Athens community.”

Progress may not happen overnight, but consistent community support brings hope one day at a time.

“We don’t make a difference with every patient, but we make a difference every day,” said Dr. Meyer.

From life-saving interventions to daily support, the local community is proving that hope and recovery go hand in hand. With compassion, resources and understanding, people struggling with addiction do not have to face it alone.

Wellness Watch is a health information and advice column from OhioHealth in the Athens County Independent. 

Jody Allton LISW-S, LCDC3 has seen a lot of change in the 41 years she’s worked at Mansfield Hospital. For starters, back when she started as a social worker in 1984, policies were much different.

“I remember rounding with physicians and they smoked as they went in and out of patients’ rooms,” said Allton.

She also remembers the average length of stay for patients being double the time it is today. Back then, Allton says patients typically stayed 10-14 days. Now, the average stay is between 5-7 days.

Allton says decades later, things look a lot different. Not just within the hospital, but within the behavioral health unit.

In the early 90’s, Allton and the behavioral health team were asked to develop an adolescent psych unit. They worked with Mansfield City Schools to provide a tutor for students and a school program. Now, nearly 40 years later, both the adolescent unit and a tutor from Mansfield City Schools remain. Mansfield Hospital continues to be the only hospital within OhioHealth to have an adolescent unit within their behavioral health unit.

"It speaks volumes about the administrative team and how supportive they are of behavioral health services,” said Allton.

Just recently, the behavioral health unit was redesigned to better meet some unique patient needs. According to Allton, all adolescents now have private, single occupancy rooms. The change addresses some adolescent patients’ struggles with sexual identity issues.

‘I chose behavioral health’

While Allton wasn’t always sure she wanted to work in a hospital, she always knew she was interested in helping people. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychiatry at The College of Wooster and her master’s degree from The Ohio State University. Allton’s first job was running the intake unit at a youth camp for delinquent boys. She later worked at Sobriety House, a halfway house in Mansfield for teens and adults. She was hired as a social worker at Mansfield General three years later.

While at the hospital, her responsibilities quickly grew. In addition to being a social worker for the behavioral health unit, she was also a social worker/pre-screener for the emergency department. Eventually, she became the manager of the social work department, on top of her psychiatric social work role. Around 1998, Allton was promoted to director of behavioral health and social work for the hospital and took on case management as well. She did that for nearly 20 years, until she was asked to commit to case management or behavioral health.

“I decided that I started my career in behavioral health, so I was going to end my career in behavioral health,” said Allton.

Allton also later became the director of behavioral health at Marion General Hospital, and eventually the director of the intensive outpatient program at Marion General.

A Community Advocate

While Allton has made a lasting impact on the behavioral health unit at Mansfield Hospital, her work outside the hospital is just as impressive.

Over the last few decades, Allton’s been involved in countless community groups in Richland, Ashland, Marion, Knox and Crawford Counties.

In Richland County alone, Allton is on the Crisis Intervention Team Advisory, helped to establish the Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program, and was a major contributor in forming the Richland County Opiate Board.

“We have seen a huge reduction in overdoses in our community because of that program [Opiate Board],” said Allton.

Allton also still has one year left in her term as a board member for the Chamber of Commerce in Ashland County and was the former chair. She plans to go to more Chamber events this year with her new time.

When Allton isn’t continuing to give back to her community, she plans to spend more time with children and first grandchild in Charleston, South Carolina and Statesville, North Carolina.

Her last day at Mansfield and Marion General Hospitals is October 3rd. She says she looks forward to watching the behavioral health teams continue to remain an integral component of care for behavioral health patients in Richland, Marion, and surrounding counties.

The two 72-bed hospitals will continue to provide emergency mental health services, inpatient acute psychiatry and outpatient mental health treatment. Outpatient programs include partial hospitalization programs (PHP) and intensive outpatient programs (IOP). Multidisciplinary care teams at each facility treat individuals suffering from a wide range of behavioral health and substance use issues.

“Healthcare continues to be complex, especially within the behavioral health space,” Dallas Erdmann, MD, OhioHealth Medical Chief, Behavioral Health said. “OhioHealth has identified a clear need for access to more inpatient behavioral health beds in central Ohio.  Partnering with a national leader, Lifepoint Behavioral Health, will help expand access leading to improved and sustained mental health treatment options.”

The joint venture facilities will welcome behavioral health professionals from OhioHealth, currently serving in the behavioral health unit at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital and in PHP and IOP roles at OhioHealth Outpatient Behavioral Health on Olentangy River Road.  All patients currently receiving PHP and IOP services at OhioHealth locations will finish their treatment plans at OhioHealth.  The Changes locations, that will operate within the partnership, will continue to provide PHP and IOP services after the close of the OhioHealth PHP and IOP programs.

Additionally, the existing inpatient behavioral health unit at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital will operate a unit of all-private rooms for the treatment of medically complex behavioral health patients.

“There is no one way to treat behavioral health challenges. It instead demands very individualized care.” Kanesha Moss, Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President, Patient Care Services, OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital said. “This partnership ensures a strong continuity of care for our patients at all stages in their journey.  It also allows our incredibly skilled team at Riverside to offer extremely specialized complex care on the road to improved outcomes.”

As part of the joint venture, Lifepoint Behavioral Health will continue to manage day-to-day operations of Columbus Springs Dublin and Columbus Springs East and their associated units and outpatient locations.

“We are pleased to partner with OhioHealth as we deepen our commitment to providing patient-centered behavioral health services here in Columbus,” said Dr. Nicki Tessler, president of Lifepoint Behavioral Health. “OhioHealth’s leadership throughout Ohio and continued investment in community-based healthcare aligns with our own vision to expand access to care while creating a more integrated healthcare experience in the communities we serve, and I look forward to seeing all that we accomplish together in central Ohio.”

For more information about Columbus Springs Dublin and Columbus Springs East and their associated units and outpatient locations, please visit www.ColumbusSprings.com.

About Lifepoint Behavioral Health

Lifepoint Behavioral Health specializes in providing compassionate care across the behavioral healthcare continuum. Through its 23 behavioral health hospitals and contract management and joint venture partnerships with hospitals and providers across the country, Lifepoint Behavioral Health offers programs designed to address the unique needs of various patient populations, including adolescents, adults and geriatrics. Lifepoint Behavioral Health has diversified programming, allowing specific therapy models of treatment while encompassing the whole person. These treatment models provide evidence-based therapies with distinct short- and long-term goals of improving and sustaining mental health. Lifepoint Behavioral Health is a business unit of Brentwood, Tennessee-based Lifepoint Health.

The pill, known by the brand name Zurzuvae, could help alleviate symptoms of postpartum depression. Unlike earlier treatments that required IV administration in an office setting, this new pill form provides easier access. 

Addie Vasquez, a mother of three, remembers the overwhelming feelings she faced after delivering her first child seven years ago. Although she didn’t use Zurzuvae, she knows how critical it is to address the condition, whether through medication, therapy or a combination of both. 

“When I found out I was pregnant, I was excited and really happy, and he was just over the moon. Things changed once I had her,” Vasquez told NBC4 reporter Cierra Johnson. 

Like Vasquez, many women are caught off guard by the emotional and psychological shift that comes after childbirth. According to Scott Gspandl, MD, system director for Outpatient Behavioral Health at OhioHealth, hormonal changes often trigger these emotional swings in new mothers. 

"I would say up to 80 percent of women have some degree of even very mild mood disturbance after delivery,” Dr. Gspandl told NBC4. “It’s just kind of whether it reaches this threshold based on severity that we call it postpartum depression.” 

Dr. Gspandl explained that the new medication stands out because it works more quickly than standard antidepressants. 

“You take it for a couple of weeks, and once symptoms develop, it has a different mechanism of action than conventional antidepressants,” he said. 

However, accessing the medication may be a challenge. Beyond navigating prior authorizations and insurance hurdles, only a handful of specialty pharmacies are currently able to produce and distribute the drug. Still, for many women, the approval of this treatment represents a critical step forward in addressing a life-altering condition. 

For Vasquez, the key is seeking help as soon as possible. 

"Nip it in the bud, it’s better to get help sooner rather than later,” she said.

To learn more about OhioHealth’s behavioral and mental health services, click here.

To learn more about women’s health at OhioHealth, click here. 

An OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital registered nurse has retired after 60 years. It's the longest tenure ever of an OhioHealth associate.

Diane Cowan, RN, officially retired from OhioHealth on April 12 at 78 years old. She started at the hospital at 18 years old in 1964, working in the nursery before becoming a psychiatric licensed practical nurse. She spent most of her career in the behavioral health unit.

“I took educational leave for college, but I've been there since I graduated high school,” Cowan told Grace McCormick of Richland Source. “I suppose most people don't stay on jobs for 60 years.” 

Cowan's coworkers threw her and fellow nurse Beulah Proffitt a retirement party this month. The two registered nurses have a combined 97 years of experience at Mansfield Hospital. 

“I've loved my career but I think it's time to let the younger generation take over,” Cowan said.

“Diane's literally the most positive person I've ever met,” Registered Nurse Katie Dale told McCormick. “She's always smiling and clearly, everybody loves her. She's still running circles around us. She wears me out.”

Cowan's seen a lot of change in her 60 years as a nurse. She still remembers having to mix medicines herself for IV drugs.

“We used to chart everything by hand, longhand,” she said. “Now, the computer system helps with that.”

Throughout the years, Cowan's gotten to know her patients, her patient's children, grandchildren, and even great grandchildren. 

“I know whole families of patients just from working there so long,” said Cowan. “It's a great feeling to help someone get better and feel better, that's always the goal.”

Now, Cowan gets to focus on herself. She's looking forward to spending time with her family in retirement. 

"There are warning signs for suicide," said Megan Schabbing, MD, OhioHealth Medical Director of Psychiatric Emergency Services.  "If we recognize those signs, and get them help, we can continue to prevent suicide."

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month — a time to raise awareness on this stigmatized, and often taboo, topic. In addition to shifting public perception, the hope is that people use September to spread hope and vital information to people affected by suicide.

"When you notice that someone has stopped spending time with people, checking in, or says things like 'I wish I was dead,' or 'I want to hurt myself,' it is time to take action," Dr. Schabbing said.

Crisis Resources

• If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call 911 immediately.
• If you are in crisis or are experiencing difficult or suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273 TALK (8255)
• If you’re uncomfortable talking on the phone, you can also text the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) at 741-741 to be connected to a free, trained crisis counselor on the Crisis Text Line.

According to NAMI, suicide is the second leading cause of death among people aged 10-34, and the 10th leading cause of death in the United States.  They share other suicide fast facts:

• 78% of all people who die by suicide are male.
• Although more women than men attempt suicide, men are nearly 4x more likely to die by suicide.
• The overall suicide rate in the U.S. has increased by 35% since 1999.
• 46% of people who die by suicide had a diagnosed mental health condition.
• While nearly half of individuals who die by suicide have a diagnosed mental health condition, research shows that 90% experienced symptoms.

Community Impact:

• Annual prevalence of serious thoughts of suicide, by U.S. demographic group:
  • 4.8% of all adults
  • 11.8% of young adults aged 18-25
  • 18.8% of high school students
  • 46.8% of lesbian, gay and bisexual high school students
• Some of the highest rates of suicide in the U.S. are among American Indian/Alaska Native and non-Hispanic white communities.
• Lesbian, gay and bisexual youth are 4x more likely to attempt suicide than straight youth.
• Transgender adults are nearly 12x more likely to attempt suicide than the general population.
• Suicide is the leading cause of death for people held in local jails.

To get more information on behavioral health support from OhioHealth, click here.

Dr. Megan Schabbing is the director of psychiatric emergency services at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital. Dr. Schabbing says its important to identify changes in behavior in children under the age of 14, start the process of getting help, that could lead to a healthier live into their later teen, and adult years.

"It's really important to keep the communication going with your children. Some warning signs can be a child getting down on themselves, going to the nurse a lot, stomach aches, headaches or other physical problems, beating themselves up over little things, withdrawal from friends and family can be warning signs for mental health issues."

One of the most difficult things with mental health is knowing where to start. Dr. Schabbing says that there first steps that can happen, and should happen if you or someone you know might show signs of anxiety or depression.

"The first step should be connecting with your primary care physician. We first need to rule out other medical problems that might present  as mental health illness. From there we can get together a good plan that might include a mental health professional," Schabbing said.

But a day like this goes beyond just depression and anxiety. Mental health can just be dealing with day-to-day stress of life, work, and other things going on.

Experts suggest taking time to get exercise, socialize with friends or family, and make time for yourself. 

To do this, OhioHealth embedded behavioral health specialists in their primary care offices, full-time, who screen every patient who walks through the door at least once a year, more often if necessary.

They use a nine-question screening tool which asks the patient how they are feeling, i.e., do you feel sad, do you feel safe, do you have suicidal thoughts, etc.

The specialist then talks with them about their responses and briefs the primary care physician before they go in for his or her scheduled appointment.

If a more advanced psychological consult is needed, staff can schedule appointments for the patients with counselors or, if there is an urgent need, can connect them immediately with a counselor via our telemedicine system.

Since it was launched in November of last year, more than 600 patients have been screened and many near-crises averted.

OhioHealth has committed $15 million to this, and other behavioral health programs and patients are NOT charged for the service.

Click on the logo to read the front page story about the program in The Columbus Dispatch. 

OhioHealth has also produced a video that explains how it works and shows what kind of an impact it can have on people’s lives. Please click here to watch. 

When patients begin taking antidepressants, they are educated about the side effects of the medications as well as the details of their prescription. While conversation about side effects is plentiful, some mental health professionals worry that there are less conversations held about withdrawal that they may experience when they make the decision to quit the medication.

Psychiatrist Megan Schabbing, medical director of psychiatric emergency services at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital told AARP that there are many factors that can make you more or less likely to experience withdrawal — including the choice of medication.

She further explained, “As a class of drugs, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are pretty likely to cause withdrawal in general, and they’re also typically our first-line treatment for depression,” she says. “Within that class, though, there are certain drugs that have a shorter half-life, meaning they stick around in your system for a shorter period of time, and those are more likely to cause withdrawal — sometimes even if you miss just a dose or two.”

In every case, each patient is different. “We know that some patients just have a harder time coming off medication,” Schabbing tells Jennifer Marquez of AARP. “It’s not something you can uncover with a lab test, but if your doctor has been treating you for a while, they should know you and what you’re likely to experience.”

Symptoms can occur in as little as a day or two after quitting an antidepressant. The symptoms for withdrawal can include:

• Insomnia or vivid dreams
• Anxiety
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Triedness
• Irritability
• Flu-like symptoms, including achy muscles and chills
• Nausea
• Electric shock sensation
• Return of depression symptoms

Depression is a common term, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 16 million U.S. adults had a major depressive episode in the last year. If you are diagnosed with depression, take the time to talk to your doctor about risks that go beyond just side effects – but the potential for withdrawal.

“Certain antidepressants have a side effect profile that causes cognitive impairment. You want to avoid that as you get older,” Schabbing told AARP. “You need to be really careful and ask, 'Which of these drugs is safer for people with my problems?’” Make sure to always consider other medications you are taking and how those will interact with a new antidepressant.

If you have frequent episodes of severe depression, then the benefit-risk calculus may favor staying on an antidepressant indefinitely, Schabbing told AARP. But even for patients who need the drugs long term, the dosage may need adjusting as kidney function naturally begins to slow over time. “In general, we do use lower doses in older people,” she says.

While some patients experience severe, long-term depression, others may just experience a rough month, year or couple of years. For those patients, Schabbing explained to AARP that it’s reasonable to reevaluate whether you still need antidepressants if you’ve been symptom-free for at least six months.

“Going on and off of medication becomes much more complicated as you get older, because you’re more likely to have other prescriptions or medical problems that can exacerbate withdrawal symptoms or side effects,” Schabbing told AARP. “Never try to stop or start or taper medication on your own.”

Bottom-line: Antidepressants should be carefully thought through between you and your doctor to keep your health and safety a priority.

Click here to read the full story

To learn more about behavioral health, click here

As the local community recognizes the tragic loss and learns more about other suicides in their own communities, many more are learning to understand the importance and value in having those early conversations as well paying attention to signs and behaviors. By starting the conversations and providing support, you could save a life.

Megan Schabbing, M.D., medical director of Psychiatric Emergency Services at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital told ABC 6, "Seeing a story like this can really kind of give you a good opportunity to have that conversation, 'How do you feel like you have been doing lately? How are you doing with your depression or your anxiety?'"

Dr. Schabbing emphasizes the seriousness of watching for warning signs in those who are close to you. Some warning signs can help you determine if someone may be at risk, such as changes in behavior, substance abuse and more.

"It's really scary because it is not always the person that's calling out for help that needs the help," Dr. Schabbing told ABC 6. "So, that is where appreciating those more subtle signs that may be going on with somebody with anxiety or depression or someone who is abusing substances may act out impulsively, it is important to identify any potential red flags earlier and get them evaluated by a mental health professional."

Countless people are affected by mental illness, whether that is from firsthand experience or secondhandedly through caring for someone who suffers. Dr. Schabbing told ABC 6 that about 90 percent of people who kill themselves have some sort of a diagnosed mental illness.

Mental health awareness is important and should not be a topic to avoid.

Dr. Schabbing encourages others to take it extremely seriously if someone expresses suicidal thoughts or even talks about a plan. There is help available with endless amounts of resources.

If you need to talk or need help, please reach out. You can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. You can also get help and chat on their website here.

To learn more about behavioral and mental health, click here.

To see the story from ABC6, click here.

From NBC4, click here.

With spring break season in full swing, there are plenty of concerned parents of teens and college students traveling in groups to out of state locations.

One of the major concerns focuses on alcohol consumption.

A study by the US Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism found 44 percent of women, and 75 percent of men, reported getting drunk every day on Spring Break. Half of them say they binge drink until they pass out.

"What's important for the community to know about alcohol consumption and violence is that perpetrators target vulnerability," said Susan Wismar, Prevention Coordinator for the OhioHealth Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio. "For so long, we've tried to end violence by saying if you're a vulnerable person, be less vulnerable," Wismar told 10TV.

What is being talked about now, especially in those working on prevention and education is bystander intervention.

Wismar tells 10TV, keeping an eye out for not only those in your group, but also those you see that might not be in your group, but those that appear to need help.

"It is every one of your jobs to take care of each other, and make sure everybody is safe," said Wismar.

Experts suggest parents having important conversations with groups of teens or college students before they head off for spring break.

But once these students get to their location, for them to really band together to keep everyone safe in their group, and to have consistent check-in's with each other as the week goes on.

SARNCO has a 24-hour line available for anyone who needs a place to turn.

SARNCO’s mission is to empower all survivors and end sexual violence. The vision is to live in a world without oppression, where all people are safe to live authentic, freely chosen lives and to pursue their full potential.

The 24-Hour Rape Helpline is (614) 267.7020 or via the Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) at 1 (800) 656-HOPE.

If you would like to see the story from 10TV click here.

There is some good news with the battle, there are so many resources, so many groups doing what they can to get those numbers down. The problem, the numbers are not going down.

National statistics say suicide is the third leading cause of death for teens. Boys are four times more likely to commit suicide, but girls think of it more.

There are some warning signs that parents need to be paying attention to.

"Early warning signs can be social withdrawal, withdrawing from family and friends, activities your child would normally enjoy,” said Dr. Megan Schabbing, OhioHealth psychiatrist to ABC6.  “Difficulty with sleep or appetite, that can be not eating not sleeping or sleeping too much. Kids who express feelings of guilt. That’s a big warning, saying comments like ‘I'm a bad person’, ‘I'm a bad kid’, guilt beyond that would be appropriate for that situation would be a big red flag," she told ABC6's Tara Morgan.

• If you or someone you know needs help, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). It is free and confidential. You will be connected to a skilled, trained counselor in your area.
• You can also reach out to someone through the Crisis Text Line.
• Locally, HelpLine of Delaware and Morrow Counties, Inc. provides a local 24/7 hotline to help those struggling with thoughts of suicide or support to survivors of suicide. You can go to their website or call 1-800-684-2324 for free confidential help.
• There is also Franklin County Loss, a local outreach to suicide survivors

To read and see the story from ABC6, simply click the logo.

The world today presents plenty of challenges. We have seen many attacks on not only American soil but around the world. From concert venues to public transportation, to even traumatic events at state fair sites, there is plenty out there, and much of it is now captured on camera for all to see.

That raises a question about how we handle these types of tragedies. It can be difficult. It can keep some of those memories with us for a long time, especially for our children.

"For instance, the Oklahoma City Bombings both children and adults in some cases were found to have developed anxiety and PTSD like symptoms," said Dr. Megan Schabbing, a psychiatrist with OhioHealth told ABC6.

That leaves parents many times wondering, what should I be looking for, and what do I do if I think these images are impacting my child.

"How did that make you feel do you have any questions about what happened," Dr. Schabbing says can be the starter conversation. "Look for warning signs for anxiety can include social withdrawal and disruption in sleep.  There can be inappropriate guilt or low self-esteem," she added.

There can be issues not just for young people, but for adults as well.

Take for instance the tragedy at this year's Ohio State Fair. A ride malfunction injured several, killing one.

With technology in just about everyone's hands these days, the tragedy was caught on camera and uploaded to the internet for all to see, and for all to watch over and over again.

Schabbing told the Columbus Dispatch that anxiety can be the number one problem for adults after witnessing a tragedy like this.

"Some people internalize problems, but if you have a history of being close to a trauma, or if you have a disorder, that person could be more likely to experience problems," Dr. Schabbing told Dispatch reporter JoAnne Viviano.

Millennials may be the “it” generation right now, but a new study shows the Baby Boomers may be a happier bunch overall.

Researchers examined the physical, mental and cognitive health of more than 1,500 adults… 21 to 99 years old. With each passing decade, participants reported they felt better about themselves. The oldest group had mental health scores that were significantly better than the youngest group…. even though their physical and cognitive function were poorer. More young adults in their 20s and 30s reported high levels of stress and symptoms of depression and anxiety.

According to the senior author, "This 'fountain of youth' period is associated with far worse levels of psychological well-being than any other period of adulthood." He says, "Inadequate attention has been paid to mental health issues that continue or get exacerbated post-adolescence."

I’m Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV… with the news doctors are reading – health news that matters to you.

Study 1: Swedish researchers looked at resting heart rates over 82 beats per minute in older teens and young men in the early 20’s, and tracked how that could impact mental health decades later

“We already know a link between the autonomic nervous system and development of mental illness. That system regulates the fight or flight response,” Dr. Schabbing said. “This study is important because it looks at some young men in their teens and early 20’s entering the military and follows them for decades. It found men with high resting heart rates in those years, these men were more likely to go, later in life to dealing with psychotic and anxiety disorders.”

Study 2: Penn State researchers did an on-line survey on how viewers of selfies affected people’s mental health

“The survey looked at college students and effect of viewing selfies and other forms of social media,” Dr. Schabbing said. “To me, this is not surprising. We know that personality traits such as self-esteem and emotional stability can figure into someone’s internet usage. We have described that as internet addiction. That is usage that impacts someone’s ability to function at school, work, or relationships. There can be negative consequences of using the internet, particularly if this person might have fragile self-esteem to begin with. I think it serves as a real wake-up call for all of us to step back and be thoughtful of screen time.”

Study 3: Chinese researchers looked at structural differences in brains of children who had been exposed to trauma, and possible PTSD links

“This is a really important area of research,” Dr. Schabbing said. “Confirms what we have found: when a child is exposed to severed trauma, many times that child will go on to see PTSD. We know some changes occur and disrupt function of the brain. That can translate to brain development later in life. The more we understand of these changes, the better we can do with treatment and early intervention with therapy, to help prevent minimizing disruption late in life.”

For someone locked in bouts of depression, there can be little light at the end of a tunnel. Too often, a person that lives in that world knows this is very different that dealing with the blues, this is a medical condition.

Many times the person that is impacted will need someone they are close to help them look for options and treatments. Sometimes that might be a treatment the person affected has never heard of.

OhioHealth psychiatrist Megan Schabbing says more than half of people depression have not been diagnosed.

"Certainly major warning signs for depression would be any kind of thoughts of wishing you were dead even if they're passive thoughts," said Dr. Schabbing.

Bouts of depression go well beyond not being able to shake that feeling; it can lead to many problems that impacts jobs, relationships, and overall health.

"A person can develop depression regardless out of the blue," said Dr. Schabbing.

Dr. Schabbing says many people don't respond to typical anti-depressants or tolerate the side effects. Some even build up a resistance.

There is a treatment that has shown signs of success over the years. TMS is transcranial magnetic stimulation and is an FDA approved alternative.

"It's very non-invasive and localized," said Dr. Schabbing.

The machine sends magnetic pulses to the brain on and off for nearly 40 minutes.

"If the mind is being actively engaged during treatment the treatment will be more effective," said Dr. Schabbing.

Dr. Schabbing says TMS has had a significant success rate with many of the patients continuing on a regular pattern of treatments. The hope is to slowly wean patients away from their regular medication, but many patients will remain on some medication for depression.

The hope is some of the success from TMS treatment for depression can be used in treating pain, dementia and anxiety moving forward.

 Click here to learn more about the Behavioral Health program at OhioHealth. 

OhioHealth announced last month that they have signed a memorandum of understanding formalizing their intent to donate the former OhioHealth Doctors Hospital Nelsonville to Integrated Services for Behavioral Health.

Integrated Services, based in Athens, provides comprehensive behavioral health care throughout central and southeastern Ohio along with affordable housing and community development services.

According to Kevin Gillespie, MHSA, RN, executive director of Integrated Services, plans call for investing $2.5 million to refurbish the building to make it more energy efficient and attractive to a range of tenants. The company plans to lease the space to organizations and business that will provide healthcare to the community or contribute to the economic base of Nelsonville. Discussions with several prospective tenants are already underway.

Integrated Services also intends to locate their Regional Central Office and their other businesses, Integrated Community Enterprises and Health Priority Systems, into the new facility.

“As we planned and built the new OhioHealth Nelsonville Health Center, it was equally important for us to find a new purpose for the former hospital so that it would remain an asset for the community,” said Mark Seckinger, president of OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital. “With the help of community leaders, we searched for someone with vision, an interested business or organization that could find a meaningful use for the space. That search ultimately led us to the folks at Integrated Services and the multi-purpose model they are planning and we are very excited about it.”

Gillespie indicated that there will be no residential housing in the facility. “Our plans are to lease the space to organizations that can provide healthcare to the community or businesses that will encourage new vitality for Nelsonville. We believe in the future of Nelsonville and we want partners who support that vision.”

“The opportunity to make use of this historic site is very exciting to us because we know that the reuse of former hospitals doesn’t happen very often,” said Jeffrey Mohrman, Managing Director of Integrated Community Enterprises, the development arm of Integrated Services. “The repurposed facility will complement the new OhioHealth Nelsonville Health Center and help ensure that the health needs of the community are met and contribute to the growth and economic development of Nelsonville.”

Integrated Services’ acquisition of the facility is expected to take place later in the fall.

In the wake of any mass shooting, the question is usually asked: "was mental illness a factor?" 

Since Sunday's Orlando, Florida shooting that claimed 49 innocent club-goers, the question is being raised yet again. The Columbus Dispatch reporter, Lori Kurtzman, spoke with OhioHealth Psychiatrist, Megan Schabbing, about the link between mental illness and murder. 

Dr. Schabbing primarily works at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital, where she evaluates patients throughout the hospital. She also sees patients in the emergency department, and is no stranger to performing suicide and homicide risk assessments. 

Dr. Schabbing spoke to the Columbus Dispatch about what she's encountered in her work, the risk factors of murder, and tragic incidents like the mass murder in Orlando can bring the topic of mental health into our community's conversations. 

To read more about the topic, and learn the warning signs of mental illness, click on the Columbus Dispatch logo above.