Lucas County, Ohio, Issue 3, Property Tax Renewal for Mental Health and Drug Addiction Services

By Asia Nail
The Truth Reporter

Moving forward through the chaos and existing uncertainty in this world can be so challenging.

Thankfully the staff and board of directors at the Mental Health & Recovery Services Board of Lucas County literally show residents, by strong and loving example, how to simply move forward every single day.

Whether your situation in life is wonderful or dreadful, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed if you don’t have a road map. When you’re facing a mountain to climb in life, sometimes we all just need some therapeutic help.

Those in Ohio who value mental health and wellness advocate for the passage of Issue 3 on the May 3 primary ballot.

“Our voters historically see the value of investing in these wellness services,” explains Scott Sylak. “This is also a renewal, not a new tax for residents.”

Scott Sylak is the executive director of Lucas County’s MHRSB. As organizational strategist, he develops the culture of the Board by motivating and mentoring staff and volunteers.

The proposed restoration, which was approved for the ballot by the Lucas County Board of Commissioners in January, will be a $1 million, 10-year renewal that will cost a property owner $24.20 per $100,000 of valuation with the aim of generating $7.9 million annually.

Local funds generated through personal property tax levy’s are very flexible in their nature. This renewal will be listed on the ballot as ‘mental health and substance abuse treatment services.’

“Sometimes the smallest actions lead to the biggest changes in somebody’s life,” shares Sylak. “The more we act deliberately in the interest of mental health awareness, the better our community will function.”

MHRSB addresses mental health promotion and substance abuse prevention in over 60 schools locally.  “We also have a dedicated suicide prevention awareness campaign,” shares Sylak. “We provide a 24/7, 365 accessible crisis service for anyone residing in Lucas County.”

Regardless of your ability to pay, if you or your loved one experiences a psychiatric crisis, you can call (Zeph Centers Care Line).

In an era where everyone seems to be consumed by social media, multiple studies have found strong links between excessive media consumption and an increased risk for depression, anxiety and self-harm.

Who’s popular and who’s not is now quantifiable by how many people are ‘following you’ on your social media accounts, forming a breeding ground for constant self-comparison and maneuvering for status.

Therapists say hidden feelings drive much of our human behavior and it is important to connect our thoughts with our feelings. Without genuine human connection, people oftentimes struggle to control their behavior or physical symptoms arising from their feelings.

We internalize our outer world experiences from the start and they become a part of us.

Many physicians say when we receive love early in our development, our brain and body have more opportunity to run at optimal levels.

Receiving the proper love and care (or lack of it) therefore, has profound effects on our physiological development. The degree of care we receive and maintain in life can determine how well we get along with others, whether we are able to give and receive love, how stable our relationships will be, how intuitive we are, how well we learn, and how healthy we will be.

“We understand mental health is such an important piece of life’s puzzle,” says Sylak. “We have a number of different programs encompassing criminal justice services designed as intervention to support residents before misconduct occurs. We also help incarcerated citizens successfully transition back into our community.”

The mission of MHRSB of Lucas County is: To cultivate a high-quality network of resources that inspire personal recovery and promote mental wellness.

They prioritize their funding decisions ensuring clients are able to choose from treatment providers that are accessible, responsive to their individual needs, provide the appropriate levels of care, and are receptive to the community’s cultural language needs or preferences.

“We’re in the habit of being very transparent and engaging with the people in our community. We make sure to do the best we can with our limited resources.

Out of each dollar MHRSB takes in, 93 cents goes to support our mental health service providers,” says Director Sylak.

There is no such thing as a small election. By nature your vote can change the trajectory of the entire state.

Issue 3 is truly a non-partisan issue, meaning this renewal affects both Democrats and Republicans alike.

Help make a difference in our Toledo community with your VOTE this primary election, Tuesday, May 3.

MHRSB is authorized by the Ohio Revised Code as the community safety net for uninsured, underinsured or indigent persons who need mental health and/or substance abuse recovery services. In the current fiscal year, MHRSB is projected to spend about $24.5 million in public funds to support 67 programs that will provide prevention, treatment and recovery support services to an estimated 32,000 Lucas County residents. The programs are provided by 27 organizations that employ 1,800 local residents.