By Nancy Virden (c)2024

The North Olmsted, Ohio community is still reeling from the senseless loss of life two weeks ago. (See: https://alwaysthefight.com/2024/06/17/mental-illness-and-justice-murder-in-suburbia/). Coming out of this tragedy is the proactive response of North Olmsted law enforcement and the Mayor’s office.

Last night, about twenty people gathered for the first brainstorming session on implementing better mental health resources and education in North Olmsted. The Mayor, Police Chief, and head of the Safety Department joined city chaplains, church and school leaders, and mental health professionals from the area, forming a core team intending to meet regularly for this cause.

Little ol’ me was invited. The police chief spoke about the crisis response training his officers have received and his plans for more. His heart for the people of the city is obvious. The head of the Safety Department also shared her ideas and hopes. Community leaders spoke up and asked important questions.

Ideas ranged from big one-day events to better communication between churches and charities. The discussion included ideas concerning peer support and church liaisons, suicide prevention, and the need for more resources for people in need of mental health care, especially crisis care which is only available in Cleveland, several miles away.

Many communities fare worse than North Olmsted. Rural areas especially struggle with access to care.

Do you have ideas? How can you help?

-COMMENTS WELCOME

Today’s Helpful Word

Luke 10:25- 35

[A religious expert quoted scripture by saying, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”]

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.  A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.  So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.  But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.  He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.  The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

If you are feeling suicidal, or concerned about someone who is, in the U.S. call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or for a list of international suicide hotlines, go here.

If you are suicidal with a plan, immediately call 911 in the U.S. or go to your nearest emergency room. In the EU call 112. (For other international emergency numbers, go here ). Hope and help are yours!

Always the Fight Ministries (ATFM) has been displaying compassion for those fighting mental illness, addiction, or abuse since 2012. Nancy is the founder and voice of ATFM and openly shares her emotional resurrection from despair. NOTE: Nancy is not a doctor or a mental health professional, and speaks only from personal experience and observations. In no way is this website intended to substitute for professional mental or behavioral health care.

_{HOLY BIBLE, NEW LIVING TRANSLATION, COPYRIGHT © 1996, 2004, 2015 BY TYNDALE HOUSE FOUNDATION. USED BY PERMISSION OF TYNDALE HOUSE PUBLISHERS, INC., CAROL STREAM, ILLINOIS 60188, PER BIBLE GATEWAY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. RETRIEVED FROM HTTPS://WWW.BIBLEGATEWAY.COM/}