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We all wonder and worry about our children, and it can be difficult to tell the difference between normal tantrums and the signs of a more serious behavioral problem. If you think your child’s thoughts or emotions might call for attention, your next move should be to consult a mental health professional. Start with a developmental pediatrician or community behavioral health resource to voice your concerns.

Healthy minds are the building blocks for strong family foundations. For children whose parents are affected with mental health issues, or for children with their own mental health challenges, help is available here in Stark County. Find local resources, organizations and support groups dedicated to lifting up families touched by mental illness.

When it comes to teenage behavior, it can be difficult to distinguish angst and mood swings from deep emotional turmoil. Learn where and how to report a problem if you believe you or someone you know is struggling with mental illness. There are many Stark County organizations dedicated to supporting young people in their journeys toward hope and recovery.

Teens and young adults who have diagnosable mental illnesses may have difficulty managing daily life functions, including securing housing, employment and education without assistance. Fortunately, Stark County has many mental health and independent living programs available to help support young people as they transition to adulthood.

Sometimes you might hear the terms mental wellness or mental health and think they mean the same thing. While they are connected, they actually mean two different things. What the difference?  Mental Wellness is your overall mental wellbeing, and everyone has it! Mental wellness is when people can recognize their abilities, cope with typical stress, work and function well.  In order to be mentally well, we have to take care of our minds just like we do the rest of our body.

This year, we’ve faced a pandemic unlike anything in our lifetimes. As we get closer to a vaccine for coronavirus, many people in Stark County are still feeling the stressful effects. Fortunately, the stress response is normal during a crisis.

Are you looking for ways to manage feelings of stress and anxiety? Here are some common questions we have received related to mental health, coping with COVID-19 in the community,

Once your family is seated around the dinner table, the typical conversation starter is: “So, how was your day?”

And the typical answer? “Fine.”

Getting your child to say anything more can be a lot of work.

But what if you stopped thinking of the child’s attitude as the problem, and started with the question? What if there were some truly interesting questions you could ask your family? And what if they were excited to think about them and answer?

In some instances, a child who has experienced trauma or another mental health challenge may struggle to cope as they get older. If your child seems to be battling feelings of hopelessness, sadness or difficult behaviors, consider seeking the help of a mental health provider in Stark County.

It’s never too early to think about children’s mental health. For women who are pregnant or parents who have young babies at home,

Are you ready to seek treatment for a mental health condition? We know there are many reasons why reaching out for support might not be the easiest choice. But we also know it’s one of the best decisions you can make for your emotional wellness. And now there are alternatives to meeting with a counselor in person! Telehealth is now available for virtual mental health support.

If you or someone you know is struggling with feelings of sadness or hopelessness,

While the holidays are celebrated as “the happiest time of the year,” it doesn’t always feel that way. If you, or a loved one, is struggling, the holidays can be hard. If you’re feeling alone, know that there are places in Stark County where you can turn for support and help.

Struggles with mental health and the holidays can equal extra stress. Navigating the two at the same time can be difficult.

When children are exposed to violence, abuse or even natural disasters, their confidence is shaken, and their view of the world can be altered. A child’s psychological and physical response to these events can have long-lasting implications for their success in school, their personal relationships and their behavior. Find local resources and childhood counseling to support children who have experienced trauma in Stark County.

When a child experiences trauma, it often impacts the entire family and the community around them. These experiences can affect a child’s whole body and emotional well-being, and every child’s response to trauma is unique. Find mental health and counseling resources to help children and families cope with the effects of trauma here in Stark County.

Learn what you can do to support your friends, family and classmates who are hurting. Suicide is a leading cause of death for adolescents ages 10 to 24 and an unfortunate reality in our community. Together, we can help prevent teen suicide. Call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 if you need immediate assistance.

No matter when it initially takes place, the effects of abuse often extend well into adulthood, significantly impacting a person’s physical and mental health. It is important for those who have struggled or are still dealing with the turmoil of abuse and neglect to get the help they need to move forward in a positive, healing direction. Find resources in Stark County dedicated to lifting up survivors of abuse and neglect.

The transition to adulthood is a time of significant changes and challenges. As you seek full-time employment, experience changes in your relationships and move toward independent living, life can feel overwhelming. No matter why you are hurting, it is important to remember you are not alone. Find mental health service providers and emotional support resources for young adults in Stark County. Call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 if you need immediate assistance.

Despite all the information available about anxiety, depression, addiction and other mental health issues, many misconceptions persist.

Mental health misconceptions can be dangerous when they keep people from getting the treatment they need. Let’s talk about mental health issues and learn to separate fact from fiction. What are some common misconceptions about mental health?

Mental health issues are uncommon,

Children who are part of the foster care system in Stark County will eventually reach the age of 18 and age out of the program. Just like anyone else, these young adults may have medical and mental health care needs. But unlike other young people, once they age out of foster care, they no longer have the same financial and emotional backing at home.

Unfortunately, these young people rarely receive the emotional and behavioral health services they need because of a lack of insurance and family support.

Mental Health Awareness Month is observed every May in the United States. It’s a time to recognize that our mental health is part of our overall health, fight stigmas surrounding mental health issues, learn about various issues and policies, and more. Whether or not you are personally dealing with a mental health issue, it is important to find ways to participate in Mental Health Awareness Month.

Here are four Mental Health Awareness Month tips so you can participate and support those around you.

During the pandemic, everyone seemed to realize the importance of getting outside and enjoying the fresh air. Think about how much lighter you feel after taking your dog for a walk. Or how energized your mind is after a hike in the woods. Or even consider the boost you get from a warm, sunshine-filled day. It should be no secret how nature helps our mental health.

Let’s explore just a few of the ways nature and mental health are connected.

For young people from 16 to 21 in Stark County, independent living services are available during the transition out of foster care. Specialists can help with the coordination of services to help facilitate a happy and healthy journey toward adulthood. Learn more about the social and support services available to teens and young adults in the Stark County foster system.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, it is important to seek help immediately. No matter if you’re struggling with depression, substance use, relationship problems or family turmoil, free and confidential support is available. You are not alone and talking to someone could help save a life.

If you are unsure of where to go for medical issues or don’t have a primary care physician, there are hospitals, medical centers, and urgent care facilities throughout Stark County. They can help you stay in good health, address any concerns or illnesses, or tend to more immediate needs and minor injuries. Affordable resources for medical and mental health services are available near you.

In recent years, heroin use has been on the rise across the nation, throughout Ohio and in Stark County. According to Stark County Mental Health & Addiction Recovery (StarkMHAR), 1,444 members of our community were treated for opiate use in 2016 – nearly six times the number treated 10 years earlier. Find resources and programs to help raise awareness, educate the community and combat this growing epidemic.

In 2023, 2-1-1, Stark County’s helpline, transitioned to StarkHelpCentral.com. 

Closing the Stark County information system and online database—that was run by United Way of Greater Stark County—and moving resources to StarkHelpCentral.com helps streamline the process for community members looking for resources and information.  

StarkHelpCentral.com can help you find community resources available to you and your family. The searchable community resource website is supported by Stark County Mental Health & Addiction Recovery (StarkMHAR),

Addiction leaves countless individuals and their loved ones reeling from its devastating impact. As a disease, addiction is frequently misunderstood and stigmatized. Beyond the stereotypical images of substance use, addiction can have behavioral and psychological effects.   

If you’re helping someone with addiction issues, the first thing is to know there is always hope and a way forward.   

To provide meaningful help to a loved one struggling with addiction,

In honor of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month, let us take a moment to learn more about what we can do in our personal and professional lives to create safe spaces and caring relationships for our LGBTQ youth (and adults).

Far too many LGBTQ+ youth do not feel safe and accepted or feel a sense of pride in themselves.  In fact, LGBTQ+ youth experience bullying, parental rejection, depression, and thoughts of suicide at significantly higher rates then their heterosexual peers.

For some young adults who do not receive benefits through their employers, purchasing medical insurance can be a hardship. Yet, it’s vital to secure health care coverage to stay healthy and offset large medical expenses. The Ohio Medicaid program offers those who qualify a way to obtain state-funded medical insurance, which provides coverage for many important health care services at little or no cost to the individual. Learn what Medicaid benefits could mean for you.

The UK organization LifeSIGNS started dedicating March 1st as Self Injury Awareness Day in 2002. Now, 20 years later, it is a national awareness day for many countries, including the U.S. Self-injury goes by other names, including self-harm and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), and encompasses a large range of actions that one takes to cope with extreme emotion, release tension from these emotions, or take back a perceived loss of control. While teens tend to be the most likely to self-injure,