NEW LEXINGTON, OH – On March 6th, Perry Behavioral Health Choices hosted a touching event to observe Black Balloon Day, a day dedicated to remembering those who have lost their battle with addiction.
From 12 to 4 PM, attendees gathered to pay tribute and offer support to individuals and families affected by addiction. Guests had the opportunity to enjoy refreshments and engage in conversations with peers and professionals. The Perry County Health Department provided free Narcan kits to equip attendees with a life-saving tool to prevent overdose tragedies. In 2023, Perry County saw 14 fatal overdoses.
“We’re here to help families and we’ve been in existence for 51 years providing quality care for families. We’re part of this community and we offer treatment services. We’re here and sadly we’ve lost people, and we take that personally. You can’t be a provider and not care about the folks that you’re serving. We don’t take for granted that families need support.” PBHC Executive Director, Theressa Kane said.
The event featured an art exhibit and a guest speaker who shared personal insights and words of encouragement. Attendees were invited to wear black attire to honor the memory of those lost to addiction and raise awareness of the ongoing crisis.
“Black Balloon is about overdose awareness and so many families are affected. In communities all the time, when there’s a death for whatever reason, they get rallied, we rally around that family. When it comes to overdose, a lot of folks suffer in silence. That’s why we feel Black Balloon is so important because families shouldn’t suffer in silence.” Kane said.
As a trusted resource in the Perry County Community, PBHC continues to provide vital services and support to individuals struggling with addiction. For more information, visit the PBHC website.