02/28/2017

Keith Walker awarded excellence in addictions treatment

From the National Council for Behavioral Health

The National Council for Behavioral Health www.nationalcouncil.org  is the unifying voice of America’s community mental health and addictions treatment organizations. Together with 2,800 member organizations, it serves more than 10 million adults and children living with mental illnesses and addictions. The organization is committed to ensuring all Americans have access to comprehensive, high-quality care that affords every opportunity for recovery and full participation in community life.  The organization has announced its 2017 Awards of Excellence Honorees – who will be celebrated at a ceremony at the National conference in April in Seattle, Washington. Keith Walker of Walker Funeral Homes in Toledo is one of the two 2017 honorees for Excellence in Addiction Treatment.

Mr. Walker was nominated by the Zepf Center and is being honored for his innovative partnership with the local media, government and mental health agencies to call attention to the opioid epidemic in NW Ohio. Jennifer Moses, CEO of the Zepf Center states “Mr. Walker feels that his funeral homes have a responsibility to assist with education and a visual, top-of-mind message to the community that there are agencies in the community who want to help them – all it takes is a phone call or a visit to helpwithheroin.com”.

The partnership has developed radio, television, billboard and print advertising and the coalition project; (IHeart Media-Toledo, Lamar Outdoor Advertising, 13-ABC, Welch Publications, Adams Street Publications, Sylvania Advantage, Maumee Mirror,  along with agencies including the Zepf Center), which began in 2015 will continue for 2017. Mr. Walker also worked with Thrive Media to produce a comprehensive website www.helpwithheroin.com and works with local businesses through The Chamber Partnership.

Additionally, in 2017 Walker plans on working with junior high school students to develop messaging to reach out to other students and the public.

The National Council advocates for policies that ensure people who have mental health and substance use problems can access comprehensive healthcare services. They offer state-of-the-science education and practice improvement consulting and resources to ensure mental health and addiction services are efficient and effective.