Information
“Individuals that may relate are higher than counselors,” Howells added. “However you’ll be able to actually relate to anyone and say, ‘I get it, I actually get it, as a result of I have been in your footwear.”
The Mahoning County Psychological Well being and Restoration Board is providing a brand new suicide and drug overdose survivor help program.
As they’re at present searching for volunteers, the help workforce’s administrators inform 21 Information this program is one-of-a-kind within the state and will put dozens on a greater path.
“I really feel very strongly that we should be there for the neighborhood,” stated Duane Piccirilli, Govt Director of the Mahoning County Psychological Well being and Restoration Board.
“You need to use your tragedies and every thing that you just went by way of so you’ll be able to actually assist folks after they’re going by way of the identical factor that you just had went by way of,” stated Anna Howells, Psychological Well being Board member and somebody who misplaced a member of the family to a drug overdose.
Facilitators of this system embody first responders, psychological well being professionals and spiritual leaders. Volunteers working with members should have skilled the lack of a cherished one to suicide or a drug overdose or individuals who have survived their very own struggles.
“Individuals that may relate are higher than counselors,” Howells added. “However you’ll be able to actually relate to anyone and say, ‘I get it, I actually get it, as a result of I have been in your footwear.”
This system is one-of-a-kind as a result of it is LOSS program can be mixed with the DOSS program. Howells informed 21 Information they hope to have as much as 20 volunteers and members when this system coaching begins in April.
“There’s quite a lot of issues you are able to do to assist,” Piccirilli added. “You may really be educated to be on the workforce. But when what you wish to do is take the coaching and simply present a heat cellphone name or a name to an anniversary, that is all we would like.”
The board hopes the help workforce will convey quick help to these coping with grief.
“On the finish of the day, I need a cellular workforce out there 24/7 in Mahoning County for anyone who’s hurting,” Piccirilli stated. “You want the help. I do not need anybody to be alone.”
If you happen to or somebody you already know wish to change into a volunteer for the Mahoning County LOSS/DOSS Group, fill out the volunteer type that may be discovered on their web site and return it to Lee DeVita.
