CREATING OPPORTUNITIES TO EMPOWER YOUTH BY FOCUSING ON WHAT THEY NEED TO THRIVE

ABOUT HOPE ALWAYS (AHA!)

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

FOR A HEALTHIER

MEIGS COUNTY!

WE’RE BUILDING RESILIENCE AND CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEIGS COUNTY YOUTH AND FAMILIES. TOGETHER, WE CAN BREAK CYCLES OF HOPELESSNESS AND INSPIRE CHANGE.

WEDNESDAY

2:00 PM

WE MEET the 3rd Wednesday OF EVERY MONTH

Meeting LOCATION

Meigs County Health Department

Please email US FOR THE

GO-To MEETING LINK

MOST MEIGS COUNTY YOUTH CHOOSE TO STAY ALCOHOL-FREE!

DID YOU KNOW?

OVER 84% OF YOUTH IN OUR COMMUNITY MAKE THE HEALTHY CHOICE TO AVOID ALCOHOL. LET’S CELEBRATE AND SUPPORT THEIR POSITIVE DECISIONS!

HELP US LOWER THESE NUMBERS!

MEIGS COUNTY FACES SEVERAL CHALLENGES AFFECTING YOUTH:

  • Alcohol and Vaping: 23% of youth reported using alcohol, and 31.7% have tried vaping, exceeding state averages.

  • Gambling: 16% of youth admitted to gambling, with 24% acknowledging dishonesty about their gambling habits.

  • Mental Health: Over 21% of youth have seriously considered suicide.

  • Early Onset of Substance Use: Many start using alcohol or vaping by age 13, emphasizing the importance of early intervention.

ALL INFORMATION IS SOURCED FROM THE MEIGS 2022-2023 OHYES! SURVEY.

85%

of youth feel their parents strongly disapprove of daily drinking

PARENTS, YOUR CONVERSATIONS MATTER! OVER HALF OF OUR YOUTH HAVE TALKED WITH THEIR PARENTS ABOUT SUBSTANCE USE. KEEP THE CONVERSATIONS GOING-- YOUR GUIDANCE MAKES A DIFFERENCE!

ENCOURAGE FAMILY DISCUSSIONS TO BUILD RESILIENCE AND INFORMED CHOICES.

ABOUT US

INSPIRING HOPE IN MEIGS COUNTY

The AHA! (About Hope Always) initiative began in 2023 when the Meigs County Chamber of Commerce Student Ambassadors and Student Councils collaborated to organize a mental health summit for high school students across all three school districts. This motivational mental wellness campaign, crafted by students, for students, expanded in 2024 to include 7th and 8th graders.

The success of AHA! inspired the Meigs County Fair Kids Day/Prevention Day to adopt it as the official theme, transforming it into AHA! About Hope Always Meigs County Fair in 2023.

After two years of impactful efforts, the Meigs County Prevention Coalition, a subgroup of Get Healthy Meigs, embraced the students’ vision to motivate the entire community. Today, AHA! continues to spread its message of resilience, mental wellness, and hope countywide.

ACTIVE COMMITTEE

Steering Committee (Coalition redevelopment)

PROGRAMS

Hidden in Plain Sight

“Talk. They Hear You."

Family Game Nights

Drug Take Back Days

YOUR ROLE IN BUILDING RESILIENCE

  • Families: Create time for meaningful conversations—51% of youth already discuss substance use with their parents.

  • Youth: Become a part of coalition leadership and contribute to making a positive impact!

  • Community Members: Volunteer with events like the AHA! Mental Health Summit and Prevention Days.

  • Host Events: Organize or support AHA! initiatives like kids day/prevention days, hidden in plain sight, TTHY family game nights

  • Collaborate: Join coalition efforts to align resources and expand the reach of mental wellness programs.

  • Promote Awareness: Use your platform to share AHA!’s message and encourage conversations around mental health and resilience.

  • Provide Resources: Contribute funding, venues, or materials to sustain and grow AHA! programs.

"Talk. They Hear You."®

Underage Drinking Campaign

The "Talk. They Hear You." campaign by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) helps parents and caregivers start meaningful conversations with their children about the risks of alcohol and drug use. Open, early, and ongoing communication plays a key role in preventing youth substance misuse.

How the Campaign Helps Families

  • Conversation Guides – Practical tips for discussing underage drinking and drug use.

  • Interactive Tools – A mobile app and online resources to help parents prepare for these talks.

  • Fact-Based Prevention – Evidence-based strategies to empower children to make healthy choices.

Start the Conversation Today!

Talking to your child may be easier than you think. By setting clear expectations and listening actively, you can make a lasting impact.

Listen to our featured episode in the What Parents Are Saying podcast to hear real experiences and expert insights.

Learn more and access resources at: SAMHSA’s “Talk. They Hear You.”

SPF-PFS Initiative in Gallia, Jackson, and Meigs Counties

The Strategic Prevention Framework-Partnerships for Success (SPF-PFS) initiative aims to prevent underage drinking and strengthen substance misuse prevention efforts. It is a collaboration between the Gallia, Jackson, Meigs Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health (ADAMH) Board, local coalitions, Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service, and the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation.

Key Developments and Activities:

  1. Expansion of SPF-PFS in 2021

  • Gallia, Jackson, and Meigs counties joined the initiative through ADAMH funding.

  • A Prevention Data Committee was formed to assess youth substance use trends.

  1. Community-Based Research and Strategic Planning

  • Conducted the Ohio Healthy Youth Environments Survey (OHYES!).

  • Completed a Community Risk Assessment for underage drinking.

  • Applied Community Coalition Action Theory (CCAT) to strengthen partnerships.

  • Developed a strategic prevention plan to guide future actions.

  1. Building Coalition Capacity

  • Funding and resources provided for coalition training and operational structures.

  • Technical assistance ensured best practices.

  1. Future Goals & Sustainability

  • Securing long-term funding and expanding outreach.

  • Enhancing community engagement and strategy adaptability.

This data-driven, evidence-informed initiative empowers communities to proactively address youth substance misuse.


For more details, visit the SPF-PFS SEO website.

© 2025 About Hope Always (AHA!) Meigs County. All Rights Reserved.