Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

The Butler County Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Services (MHARS) Board helps make our communities stronger and healthier by directing public funding to prevention, treatment, crisis response, and recovery services. The MHARS Board also strengthens Butler County’s behavioral health system through provider coordination, oversight, advocacy, strategic planning, quality improvement, and ongoing assessment of community needs. Learn more about the services the MHARS Board supports here.

Each year, the MHARS Board funds mental health and addiction recovery programs that serve more than 49,000 people, or about 1 in 10 Butler County residents. People who use MHARS Board services reside in nearly every Butler County community and represent all races, genders, income brackets, education levels, and age groups.

The need for mental health and addiction services in Butler County has grown significantly. In 2025, more than 49,000 residents received services supported by the MHARS Board, more than seven times the approximately 6,500 people served by the county’s separate mental health and addiction boards in 2006. Mental health and substance use challenges can affect anyone. Access to timely prevention, treatment, recovery, and crisis services can be life-changing and lifesaving, helping ensure Butler County residents can get support when they need it.

MHARS-funded programs help prevent crises, connect residents with treatment, and support recovery. The MHARS Board invests in proven approaches including mobile crisis services, harm reduction, Narcan distribution, family therapy, counseling, supportive housing, hotline services, and suicide and overdose prevention. In 2017, Butler County recorded 232 overdose deaths. Last year, overdose deaths were 80% lower than in 2017, reflecting the impact of sustained prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts.

Veterans are more likely to struggle with addiction and mental health issues, so the MHARS Board plays an active role in supporting veterans' needs. Although they represent just over 5% of Butler County’s total population, veterans make up nearly 25% of the county’s suicide deaths. The MHARS Board supports specialized community services designed for veterans, active-duty military personnel, and first responders.

If Issue 6 fails this November, the MHARS Board will need to reduce or eliminate funding for programs such as suicide prevention, counseling for children and teens, services that support seniors’ mental health, and addiction recovery treatment.

The November levy, Issue 6, renews a 1-mill levy for the MHARS Board. Voter approval of Issue 6 will not increase your taxes.

The 2026 General Election takes place November 3. The voter registration deadline is October 5, and early voting begins October 6. You can find your polling location, how to request an absentee ballot, and other information by visiting the Butler County Board of Elections website.

Learn more about the MHARS Board and the services it provides on the MHARS Board website.