Commentary: You can help save a life today

You can help save a life today.

In my first six months as CEO of CommQuest, I’ve realized the potential of every one of us to bring hope to people who need it in our community.

In fact, I learned that my first week on the job when I met our clients for the first time.

I joined the women in our residential addiction treatment house in Canton to celebrate their recovery milestones. There was a little boy in a walker not even a year old, zooming around the room laughing and enjoying the attention. He is the son of one of our clients, a 20-something woman who was able to keep him with her because we believe a mom shouldn’t have to choose between her young child and residential treatment.

In that moment looking at his happy face, I realized what’s at stake in our mission. We have the opportunity not only to help this mom, but perhaps also break the cycle of addiction in a family and change the lives of children like this.

I think about that little guy every single day as I work with this great team at CommQuest to serve the community; as I see a supportive family arriving with a client for their appointment; as I get the chance to talk with a community group about breaking the stigma of these diseases; and as I write a thank you to a volunteer who has given their time to us.

This challenge we face is real.

The prolonged impact of COVID-19 has been hard on the mental wellbeing of our communities. Deaths by overdose and suicide in Stark County have risen to record levels in 2021.

You might be as surprised as I am to know that nearly half the suicide deaths this year have been among people 30-59, most of them men. I often ask staff members, “What keeps you going in the face of a challenge like this?” Most answer the same way, citing that one client who made a breakthrough.

Like me, they all have their own version of that little boy’s face, inspiring their grit and perseverance to help the next person.

So how can you help save a life?

Take care of yourself. If you have a cavity, you see a dentist for treatment. If you have a broken arm, you get it cast. Think of your mental health the same way because like other ailments, it can get progressively worse without treatment.

In fact, depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide. One in five people you know experience a mental health issue in any given year, and one in 25 live with a serious mental illness.

Often, people don’t talk about mental health and addiction recovery, but resources are available through your company’s employee assistance plan, your school’s counseling department, your physician, or directly from behavioral health organizations you’ll find at starkhelpcentral.com.

If you know someone who seems to be struggling, reach out to them. If you don’t know what to say, share this article with them. Just know that any support you offer is positive even if you can’t find the right words.

And back to No. 1, if you’ve reached out to someone you care about many times and feel overwhelmed, remember that help is available for you, too, as a caregiver.

Support those who dedicate themselves to saving lives. If you know someone who works in community behavioral health, thank them for what they’re doing. We have a shortage of licensed counselors, social workers and other professionals and those who showed up to help our most vulnerable populations have their hands full.

They, along with medical professionals, crisis-intervention trained police officers, emergency medical technicians and many others have tough jobs, and are here for us all. 

And while I’m talking about support for behavioral health professionals, I want to thank the many, many people from all parts of the community who have reached out to me in this new role to offer support for our mission. 

Donors have helped fund the mission, community leaders have offered advice, other organizations have partnered to provide services, and even a few high school students have worked to clean up our facilities.

We are a community striving to be a safe and welcoming place for all who need help, and delivering that kind of hope and support saves lives.

Elaine Russell Reolfi is the president and chief executive officer of Canton-based CommQuest Services Inc., which provides prevention, mental health, substance abuse and social services.