Health officials in Montgomery County say some residents are only beginning to experience the effects of trauma from this year's Memorial Day tornadoes and the Oregon District shooting.
Now, a new website aims to help people in need of assistance. And the county is getting the word out about the program through a billboard campaign.
Ann Stevens with Montgomery County Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services says the need for the website Daytonheals.org was realized during a series of recent Dayton Foundation forums to collect community input on how assets from the Oregon District Tragedy Fund should be disbursed.
“What we found out during the forums was that people are starting to see the trauma that they've experienced over the summer manifest itself," she says. "But, people didn't know how to access mental health services."
Through the website, people can access free counseling, and other low-cost services that may be covered by people's health insurance.
Two dozen billboards will be located throughout Dayton and Montgomery County through October 20 to help direct residents to the website.
Stevens says the effects of trauma are sometimes delayed.
“It may not happen today, and may not happen tomorrow, [it] may happen months from now, but we want to make sure that people know how to access the services because there is help available."
Daytonheals.org not only has links to counseling and addiction services, but also offers resources for crime victims, disaster assistance, and educational sessions for businesses.
