HORIZON BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

A 2020 study shows an increase in Lynchburg high school students feeling sadness and hopelessness over the past five years.

The organization was awarded $1,991,554 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The goal is to assist 245 people over the next five years.

For parents and caregivers, it can be difficult to explain to children what happened in Texas and why the drills that they do in school are essential to their safety.

Horizon Behavioral Health in Lynchburg is dedicating more than $670,000 in state funding, to reduce substance abuse for pregnant and postpartum women, as well as mothers with children up to age five.

The organization operates eight facilities across Lynchburg and Madison Heights, providing 24-7 care to nearly 40 adults with developmental disabilities.

Horizon has 17 staff members working with 22 schools throughout Lynchburg and its surrounding counties, helping students ages four to 18.

For those in need of help, call 434-477-5000 or 434- 522-8191 after hours.

September is National Recovery Month, and organizations in Lynchburg are fighting to change the stigma of getting help.

In a recent survey among tenth graders in Lynchburg, 96.8 percent reported they had not used drugs in the last 30 days.

The organization received about $100,000 in federal stimulus money to help with prevention, and they’ve handed out 400 bags since they started August 26th.

The Suicide Prevention Awareness Coalition is hosting a special fundraiser on Sunday, July 17th at Percival’s Island in Downtown Lynchburg.

On this World Aids Day, a virtual event raised awareness for those who are diagnosed and the importance of being tested. The symposium -- held via Zoom -- was sponsored by Horizon Behavioral Health and the Coalition for HIV Awareness and Prevention (CHAP). It brought together experts to discuss how COVID-19 affects those with HIV. “They don’t have any increased risk [of being infected with COVID-19] compared to somebody who doesn’t have HIV. VDH has seen a decrease in HIV testing during COVID, so they’re making home-testing kits available.

CAMPBELL COUNTY, Va. Horizon Behavioral Health is giving out free pick-me-ups, simple reminders and resources to support your mental health and wellness. She told 10 New the impact of the pandemic, racial injustice movement or the upcoming election are all risks to someones mental health. September is both National Recovery Month and National Suicide Prevention Month, so it made sense to Horizon to do Mental Health Matters Week in the first week of September. Aside from mental wellness tools and resources, Horizon will also be giving out yard signs and masks to spread encouragement and positivity. You can pick up a mask and sign at any of the Mental Health Matters events at Horizon locations.

APPOMATTOX, Va. – Anyone looking to drop off old prescription drugs can now do so at the Appomattox County Sheriff’s Office. Horizon Behavioral Health and the Sheriff’s Office installed the $2,000 drug box. Horizon’s Behavioral Health and the Appomattox Sheriff’s Office installed a $2,000 drug box in the office. Sheriff Donald Simpson said taking prescription drugs, twice a year, on National Take Drugs Back Day was not enough as there have been plenty of people wanting to drop off expired pills at other times. So, there is a need for safe disposal for these types of drugs,” Simpson said.

BEDFORD, Va. - Police in Bedford are taking steps to be proactive when dealing with people who have mental health issues.Police Chief Todd Foreman said officers have completed a One Mind Campaign pledge. It's a commitment to improve the way they respond to calls regarding mental health issues. They're in crisis with mental health issues. We want to keep them safe, the citizens of the town safe and have our officers safe and have us all have a successful outcome," Foreman said. Foreman said that, in 2018, Bedford police received 375 calls related to mental health.

LYNCHBURG, Va. - Central Virginia Training Center patients are moving into their new homes this week. Horizon Behavioral Health cut a ribbon to its ninth intermediate care facility in Lynchburg on Tuesday. This comes after the state announced it'll be closing the Madison Heights location, which houses people with disabilities. "We've also implemented some home technology for the electrical system, the heating system, air conditioning, which has been shown to help those with intellectual disabilities. So lessons learned along the way have all been put into practice here into this ninth home," said Damien Cabezas, the CEO.

Here's a look at some of the stories we'll be following today as they make headlines across the country and Southwest Virginia. Horizon Behavioral Health and CHAP will be at the Walgreens on Wards Road in Lynchburg today, providing free tests. Fifth Street in Lynchburg will be down to one lane today near Main Street. Connecting moms with local resources is the goal of the Southwest Virginia Mom Expo. We will learn more today about the 2019 State Games of America.