EAST PALESTINE, Ohio - The lives of many residents in and near East Palestine changed forever after February 3rd, 2023. Nearly a year and a half after the train derailment left an entire community in shock, support and resiliency services are coming to East Palestine.  

The East Palestine Resiliency Center opened its doors, offering both short and long-term solutions to those affected by the disaster.

The Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board was granted over one million dollars from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, allowing them to open the mental health resiliency center.

"East Palestine has become a state and national model for what it looks like to meet the behavioral health needs of their citizens after a disaster," said LeeAnne Cornyn, Director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

The main focus of the center is the mental health of those affected by the train derailment.

"That's what are specifically attempting to serve is help individuals build coping strategies and just become more resilient and be able to live a life of stability and be able to cope with what's going on," said Dianah Farby, director of the East Palestine Resiliency Project.

Before choosing the programs, the Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board surveyed residents affected by the derailment to see what residents needed to help them move forward.

Support groups, multiple types of creative therapies, meditation, educational sessions, yoga, tai chi, chair massage, and group counseling are all offered at the center.

The services are free for anyone eligible, meaning they were a first responder, worked in the village or lived in affected Ohio zip code areas.

If somebody doesn't know what service fits them best, the center has a community navigator to help.