"I'll Go First" video series launches with Jon Bennehoof

To mark the start of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Delaware-Morrow Mental Health and Recovery Services Board is launching a new video series that we’re calling “I’ll Go First,” an effort to start important conversations about behavioral health care.

Despite decades of efforts by DMMHRSB and other Boards around the state and country, there is still too often a stigma surrounding mental health and addiction treatment services. People can be hesitant or embarrassed to talk about these things, and that keeps them and others like them further in the shadows.

That’s what “I’ll Go First” is here to address.

The video series uses some Delaware and Morrow County residents you may know – including Morrow County Sheriff John Hinton and Stockhands Horses for Healing co-founder Tim Funk – to “go first” in talking about mental health and addiction recovery.

Everyone profiled in this series is open and honest about what they’ve seen, including some first-hand struggles with mental health. We’re hoping that if they’re willing to talk about behavioral health care needs, you will be too. These conversation are critical to encouraging people to seek the support they need and deserve.

Click below to watch the first “I’ll Go First” episode with Jon Bennehoof. Jon is a decorated Vietnam War veteran who went on to a successful career as an executive at IBM and eventually became the mayor of Powell, but he still wrestled with survivor's guilt. Jon talks about his trauma, the decision to seek help, and why he thinks others should “lean into” conversations about mental health care.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call HelpLine at 1-800-684-2324 or text "HelpLine" to 898211.

About DMMHRSB

The Delaware-Morrow Mental Health and Recovery Services Board is a publicly-supported alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health (ADAMH) board that works to ensure high-quality, evidence-based behavioral health services are available locally to all residents in our communities.

The mission of the Delaware-Morrow Mental Health and Recovery Services Board is to promote wellness and support recovery by planning, funding, and monitoring public mental health and addiction services for Delaware and Morrow Counties.

For more information on the Delaware-Morrow Mental Health & Recovery Services Board please visit www.dmmhrsb.org.