Mahoning County Mental Health & Recovery Board

12/19/2025

Congratulations on a much deserved retirement to WKBN 27 Youngstown OH Community Affairs Director Dee Crawford. Dee has dedicated most of her career to serving our community.
Thank you, Dee, for decades of integrity, compassion, and showing up for the people of the Valley. Your voice helped normalize conversations around tough topics, including mental health, reminding us that people come first. Your legacy will continue to inspire students at Youngstown State University as they enter the Delores E Crawford Production Studio.

Earlier this week, we shared that WKBN Community Affairs Director Dee Crawford is retiring after 20 years with the station.

12/18/2025

If the holidays feel heavy, you’re not alone.🎄💙
This season can be beautiful — twinkling lights, cozy moments, familiar traditions — but it can also bring pressure, memories, and moments that feel anything but peaceful. And that’s okay. Your feelings are valid.

When the season starts to feel overwhelming, try giving yourself a little space to breathe:

🌟 Find your quiet moments — a warm drink, a soft blanket, a few deep breaths.
🕯️ Let go of perfection — the best memories often happen in the imperfect.
💬 Share what’s on your heart — talking can ease the weight you’re carrying.
🚶‍♀️ Step outside — even a quick walk in the cool brisk air can bring clarity and calm.
🎁 Give yourself grace — you don’t have to do it all.
🤝 Reach out for support — you deserve connection, not exhaustion.

This season, may you find pockets of peace, people who understand, and moments that remind you to care for yourself, too.

You are doing your best — and that is enough. 💙

12/16/2025

💙 Grief during the holidays can feel heavier — especially after losing a loved one to su***de. If you’re navigating this kind of loss, you deserve a space where your pain is understood, your story is honored, and your healing is supported.

Youngstown’s Jewish Family and Community Services offers a Survivors of Su***de Support Group designed for those coping with the deep and complex grief that follows su***de loss.

This group provides a safe, compassionate environment led by facilitators who truly understand the unique challenges survivors face. Here, you can share your experiences, express your emotions, and connect with others who have walked a similar path — especially meaningful during a season that can amplify feelings of loneliness and heartbreak.

📅 When: Tuesdays, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
📍 Where: JCC of Youngstown
📞 More info: Contact Laura Haas at 330-746-7929 ext. 243
📧 Email: lhaas@jewishyoungstown.org

You don’t have to navigate this grief alone — support is here, especially when the holidays feel difficult. 💙

***de

12/12/2025

The holidays should bring warmth, connection, and joy — not added pressure to drink or use substances. As celebrations pick up, let’s make space for healthier choices and intentional moments that support our well-being.

Here are a few ways to stay grounded this season:
🍵 Bring your favorite non-alcoholic drink to gatherings
🎁 Create an “exit plan” if a situation feels overwhelming
💬 Let a trusted friend know you’re staying substance-free
❄️ Take breaks from the noise — a short walk can reset your mind
❤️ Choose events and people who support your goals

Remember: you can celebrate fully without substances — the holiday magic is still yours.

If you or someone you love needs support this season, help is always available.

📞 Call 211 for local resources
🧭 Find AA meetings in the area at: aayaig.org/meetings

Stay safe, stay grounded, and enjoy the season on your own terms. 💙

12/11/2025

CIT Training in Action! 🚓 This fall, our CIT class put their skills to the test through real-world role-playing scenarios. Our CIT team stepped into the roles of individuals in crisis, giving officers the chance to practice de-escalation, communication, and compassion in a realistic, hands-on way.

These scenarios help prepare officers to respond safely, calmly, and effectively when it matters most — strengthening the bridge between law enforcement and mental health support in Mahoning County. 💙

👏 Thank you to our incredible CIT team for bringing these scenarios to life, and congratulations to our officers again for their dedication and commitment throughout this training. Your work makes our community safer and more understanding.

12/04/2025

Congratulations to SV Michael Malleske of the Adult Parole Authority for successfully completing the October 2025 Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training!
Your dedication to understanding mental health and improving responses during crises strengthens our community’s safety and compassion.

Thank you for your commitment to helping others and making a difference every day. 👏

12/04/2025

A Warm Place to Stay ❄️💙 No one in Mahoning County should face the cold alone. Community warming stations are now open nightly to provide shelter, warmth, and support throughout the winter months.

🏠 MAHONING COUNTY OVERNIGHT WARMING STATION
WHEN: December 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026
WHERE: Community Corrections Association (CCA)
1771 Market Street, Youngstown, OH 44507
CONTACT: Jennifer Campbell, CCA — (330) 744-5143 ext. 235

🕖 Hours of Operation
• Open 7 nights a week
• Facility Hours: 7:00 PM – 7:00 AM
• Registration: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (no entry after 9 PM)

🛏 What to Expect
• Capacity for up to 12 individuals (with additional beds if needed)
• Cot-style beds with fresh linens nightly
• Water, coffee, and bagged lunches provided
• Security cameras inside and outside the facility

👥 Who Can Stay
This warming station serves homeless single men.
For single women, families, or parents with children, please contact:
• Axess Family Services: (330) 306-0136
• Voices of Hope Shelter: (234) 228-9761
• Rescue Mission Mahoning Valley: (330) 744-5486

🚪 Guest Check-In Policy
• Must arrive and register by 9:00 PM
• No re-entry if a guest leaves after check-in
• Guests are expected to remain inside overnight

📞 Need help after 9 PM?
Call 211 to reach Help Network of Northeast Ohio for immediate assistance or referrals.

This initiative is made possible through strong community partnership with the City of Youngstown-CDBG, Mahoning County Commissioners, Mahoning County Mental Health & Recovery Board, Mahoning County Homeless Continuum of Care, CCA, Catholic Charities Regional Agency, Axess Family Services, Youngstown City Health District, and United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley.

If you or someone you know needs shelter, please share this information.
No one should face the cold alone.💙

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving from the Mahoning County Mental Health & Recovery Board! 🍁🦃

We are grateful for our community, our partners, and every individual and family we serve. Wishing you and your loved ones a peaceful, healthy, and restorative holiday.

Take care of yourselves and each other — today and every day. 💙

11/26/2025

When a crisis happens, Mahoning County comes together quickly. 'Thank You' to everyone involved in helping those displaced by last weekend's explosion.

11/26/2025

A big congratulations to Deputy Marc Ruse, Sergeant Anthony Lucas, and Deputy Daniel Medvec of the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office for successfully completing the October 2025 CIT Training!

Thank you to Mahoning County Prosecutor - Lynn Maro, Chief Deputy William Cappabianca, Mahoning County Auditor - Ralph Meacham, and Mahoning County Commissioners - Geno DiFabio and Carol Rimedio-Righetti for supporting this team’s dedication to understanding mental health and improving crisis response county-wide. 👏

11/24/2025

Congratulations to Officer Nick Cathcart and Officer Luis Meza from the Boardman Township Police Department for completing the October 2025 CIT Training!

Thank you to Ohio State Senator, Al Cutrona, and Mahoning County Commissioner, Carol Rimedio-Righetti, for standing and supporting with these officers with pride! 💙

Additional thank you to these officers' department leadership for continuing to prioritize crisis response and mental health awareness. Your dedication helps build stronger connections between law enforcement and the community.

11/22/2025

To all the caregivers in our community — whether you're caring for an aging parent, a partner, a family member with health challenges, or a loved one in recovery — thank you. Your compassion, strength, and daily sacrifices make an incredible impact. 💙

But caring for others also means you must care for yourself. Your mental health and well-being are just as important as those you support.

Here are a few ways caregivers can nurture their own mental health:
💛 Take short breaks throughout the day
💬 Talk openly about your feelings
🤝 Connect with other caregivers for support
🌿 Practice small moments of mindfulness or relaxation
📅 Prioritize your own appointments, rest, and routines

📞 Reach out for help when you need it — you don’t have to carry everything alone
If you're a caregiver looking for community, connection, or guidance, the Jewish Community Center of Youngstown offers the Caregiver Cafe, a supportive space designed just for you.

Learn more or join an upcoming session:
👉 https://www.jccyoungstown.org/events/2025/12/01/aging-well/caregiver-cafe/

To every caregiver: you matter, too. Thank you for all you do. 💙