COLUMBUS, Ohio — Living with mental illness or an addiction can be a lonely journey. Ohio Senator Rob Portman (R) joined hundreds of people Monday to say those on the road to recovery aren’t alone.
- Sen. Portman was one of the keynote speakers at Ohio’s 2019 Recovery Conference in Columbus
- More than 1,200 members of the community heard a positive message from federal, state and local leaders hoping to empower them in their recovery journey
- Organizers of the yearly event say mental illness and addiction often overlap
Wesley Walker knows he shouldn’t have been the speaker at the mental health and addiction recovery conference Monday in downtown Columbus.
In fact, he knows it’s a miracle he’s still alive. Just four years ago, while in the midst of a mental health crisis, Walker jumped off a five-story parking garage.
“I know that I'm one of the lucky ones. Not just with the accident, but the medication and the clarity that comes with it. Not a lot of people who have a schizoaffective disorder come back with that kind of insight,” said Walker.
Walker brought that insight to Ohio's 2019 Recovery Conference, where he was one of the keynote speakers.
The annual recovery conference is an opportunity to celebrate individuals in recovery from mental illness or addiction.
More than 1,200 people from Central Ohio Monday heard a positive message from federal, state and local leaders as they look to discover new skills to help empower them in their recovery journey.
Walker’s story embodies that message.
“I actually was in an accident, and one of my delusions was I was in a coma, because I was seeing things and it was so surreal. So, I had gotten it in my head that maybe if I hit my head hard enough, I'll wake up. I knew death was on the table, knew people might think it was suicide, but I just didn't care at the time,” said Walker.
Walker had suffered several broken bones but survived.
Years later he remains on medication, and with advocacy and support groups, able to live a normal life.
Organizers at Monday's event say mental illness and addiction often overlap.
“There's a lot of discussions around mental illness and addiction that aren't necessarily positive, and this is an opportunity to show that people that get the appropriate treatment, really become positive beneficial citizens in their community,” said OACBHA CEO Cheri Walter.
When it comes to opioids, the battle wages on.
The Centers for Disease Control repots Ohio had 4002 overdose deaths in a one-year period, from December 2017 through December 2018.
That accounts for a 23% decrease from the year before.
The number of national overdose deaths is around 70,000 per year and has been climbing every year for the last 30 years.
Two weeks ago, it was reported 10 people in Franklin County died from drug overdose over a 26-hour period.
Senator Rob Portman, who also spoke at the event, has worked to secure more than $4 billion dollars in funding over the last few years for our state.
He recently introduced new legislation called the Combating Meth & Cocaine Act, which is giving states the ability to use federal funds to address growing trends.
“There is progress on the opioid crisis, and that's great, we need to keep it up,” said Portman. “By the way, the fentanyl still comes in, and the fentanyl is the killer. And it’s being mixed with crystal meth, its being mixed with cocaine, it's being mixed with everything, so be careful. Everything on the street can kill you.”
For Walker, he hopes those who are suffering with either mental or drug-related addiction seek the resources they need.
“I know it’s difficult, it seems to be a symptom of mental health conditions, just thinking that you're alone in isolation, which isn't good for anybody. Remember that you're not alone,” said Walker.
The Ohio Recovery Conference runs through Tuesday at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Columbus.
