Following up after dark times

The Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Seneca, Sandusky and Wyandot counties, Firelands Counseling and Recovery Services and Seneca County Drug Task Force — METRICH Enforcement Unit teamed up back in July 2020 to create a Quick Response Team. The Quick Response Team was created to provide support to overdose survivors. The team began its work in August 2020 and expanded to mental health calls as of April 1 this year. "This project started from a need identified by the Seneca County Opiate Task Force," said Mental Health Board Deputy Director Robin Reaves. "QRT is also partially funded by a Health Resources and Services Administration grant." The Quick Response Team is made up of METRICH officers and a trained behavioral health worker from Firelands. After a drug overdose, the team will "engage two times a week with overdose survivors to provide access to treatment and/or recovery services," according to information from the Board. The team also focuses on people who are high risk for a drug overdose as well as people who have attempted suicide and/or are at high risk for suicidal behaviors. The team is provided at no cost to those who they work with. Families will be given support through Firelands and Narcan training and kits are available through the team. For local resources or guidance navigating the behavioral health system, please contact the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board office at (419) 448-0640. If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact the Crisis Hotline at 1 (800) 826-1306.