Knowing It’s a Need Isn’t Enough

Muskingum County has consistently identified mental health as a significant community need; but knowing it’s a need isn’t enough. This initiative is working to build a clearer picture of those needs—where gaps exist, what resources are working, what barriers our community faces, and where targeted improvements can make the greatest difference.

Behavioral health continues to be a community priority year-after-year. We need better data to act on it.

Mental and behavioral health needs have been identified repeatedly through Muskingum County's community health assessment and planning efforts. While we know these needs exist, the community currently lacks enough detailed information to understand

  • where the greatest gaps are,

  • which populations are most affected,

  • what barriers people encounter,

  • and where resources and partnerships could have the greatest impact

The Muskingum County Mental Health Needs Assessment is designed to help close that information gap.

What We’re Learning

Where are people experiencing barriers to care?
What behavioral health needs are most significant?
What resources and strengths already exist?
Which populations or needs may be underserved?
Where can coordination between improve?
What should our community prioritize next?

A Collaborative Community Effort

This assessment is being conducted by:

Restorative Pathways Counseling

in partnership with the

Muskingum County Health Department

&

Collective Impact, an initiative of the Healthier Muskingum County Network

We Need Perspectives From Across the Community

The assessment is intended for people who live, work, serve, or interact with behavioral health needs in Muskingum County and the surrounding region.

  • Community members

  • People who have sought behavioral health services

  • Parents, caregivers, and family members

  • Behavioral health professionals

  • Healthcare professionals

  • Educators and school personnel

  • Social service professionals

  • First responders

  • Community and nonprofit organizations

  • Faith communities

  • Employers

  • Local leaders and policymakers

  • Others who have insight into community behavioral health needs

You don’t need to be a behavioral health professional or have personally received mental health services to participate.

Share Your Perspective

Take the survey

The Process

Step 1: Listen

Step 2: Analyze

Gather perspectives from community members and professionals.

Identify themes, strengths, gaps, barriers, and priorities.

A woman sits at her desk looking at the community health assessment on her computer screen

Use the findings to inform community initiatives for change, advocacy, partnerships, and future research.

Report findings back to community partners and stakeholders.

Step 4: Act

Step 3: Share

Findings and Updates

Data collection is currently underway. Findings, reports, and project updates will be published here as they become available.

Questions About the Assessment?

Sydney Bash
Restorative Pathways