The newly-opened East Palestine Resiliency Center held its ribbon-cutting on Monday. The facility, which was made possible through state and federal grants and a donation from Norfolk Southern, was established to help area residents navigate through the residual health impacts experienced in the wake of last year’s train derailment. (Photo by Stephanie Elverd, Special to The Times)

UNITY TOWNSHIP — The newly opened East Palestine Resiliency Center was established with the goal of helping residents still suffering from the stresses of the 2023 train derailment find their way to mental well-being. The facility is located at 50410 state Route 14 in Unity Township.

“Resiliency is about getting back up after life knocks you down,” said Marcy Patton, executive director of the Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board. “And many in the area have struggled to get back up after last year’s tragedy. The Resiliency Center is a place to help people get back on their feet and become stronger in the process.”

A ribbon-cutting was held Monday at the center on Ohio 14 in Unity Township.

The facility was made possible in the form of two emergency response grants the recovery board received with the aid of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The first was an immediate $209,402 response to support mental health in the aftermath of the derailment and the second an $879,509 intermediate grant to establish more long-lasting services to assist those impacted by the rail disaster.

The grants were used to fund the East Palestine Resiliency Project — an initiative to provide help and promote healing for those affected by the derailment — and ultimately the brick-and-mortar location where all the services can be accessed under one roof. A donation from Norfolk Southern helped secure the building.

State Rep. Monica Robb Blasdel, R-Columbiana, speaks at the grand opening of the East Palestine Resiliency Center on Monday. The center, which was made possible through state and federal grants and a donation from Norfolk Southern, was established to help area residents navigate through the residual health impacts experienced in the wake of last year’s train derailment. (Photo by Stephanie Elverd, Special to The Times)

The center will offer traditional treatment as well as alternative and creative approaches to mental well-being. All services are free of charge to eligible individuals while funding permits.

“We will build resiliency by treating the whole person and not just the symptoms of a mental illness, and we will do so by offering a long array of both traditional and holistic activities for all ages,” center director Dianah Fabry said. “It is a place where individuals affected by the train derailment can find solace, guidance and the resources they need to navigate life’s hurdles. Whether you are seeking counseling, education or simply a supportive community, the center is here to serve you.”

The center’s services include mental health and substance use disorder treatment, EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) therapy, counseling (individual, family and group), support groups, educational sessions, meditation, yoga, tai chi, creative arts therapies, chair massage, pet therapy with Cedric the therapy dog, culinary art therapy and computer stations for vocational and navigator assistance. The center also features a space for children to work through the residual effects that still linger in the derailment’s wake.

“The center is truly amazing, and it’s going to be such an asset to the East Palestine community and to Columbiana County as a whole,” said state Rep. Monica Robb Blasdel, R-Columbiana. “Each person has different needs, and this center can fulfill them all under one roof.”

East Palestine Village Manager Chad Edwards urged all area residents to consider the support available at the Resiliency Center and to make use of the help offered.

Dianah Fabry, director of the newly opened East Palestine Resiliency Center, speaks to guests before the center’s ribbon-cutting on Monday. The center, which was made possible through state and federal grants and a donation from Norfolk Southern, was established to help area residents navigate through the residual health impacts experienced in the wake of last year’s train derailment. (Photo by Stephanie Elverd, Special to The Times)

“I can’t stress enough the importance of mental health and mental health treatment. What this area went through, what this town went through during the derailment is something I can’t even imagine,” he said. “And I encourage everybody to take advantage of these opportunities and these resources that are being made available.”

Marcy Patton, executive director of the Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board, speaks to guests before the ribbon-cutting of the East Palestine Resiliency Center on Monday. The center, which was made possible through state and federal grants and a donation from Norfolk Southern, was established to help area residents navigate through the residual health impacts experienced in the wake of last year’s train derailment. (Photo by Stephanie Elverd, Special to The Times)