OhioRISE BH Stakeholder Meetings Begin Monday, Jan. 11

The OhioRISE Advisory Council will hold its first meeting on Jan. 11 from 12-1:30 p.m. The Advisory Council’s members represent a diverse set of multi-system stakeholders: people with lived experience, local public entities from child and family-serving systems, providers of services and supports, clinical experts, and advocates. All OhioRISE Advisory Council meetings will be open to the public; interested parties can register to attend the first Advisory Council webinar in listen-only mode. Further information about upcoming OhioRISE Advisory Council and Workgroup meetings will be posted on the OhioRISE Website.

New OhioMHAS Health Equity and Cultural Competency Administrator Named

The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Malaika Brewer, M.A., as Health Equity and Cultural Competency (HECC) Administrator. As Administraor, Brewer will provide oversight, management and organizational leadership for OhioMHAS’ health equity and cultural and linguistic competency programs and associated policies, programs/special projects, and interagency partnerships. Prior to joining OhioMHAS, Brewer served as director of the Office of Health Equity Promotion for Columbus Public Health and as a program manager with Prevention Action Alliance. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. She is currently working toward her Ph.D. in Public Health at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Brewer officially joins the Department on Jan. 11.

Ohio DD Council Seeks Public Comment on 2022-2026 Five-Year State Plan

The Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council (Ohio DD Council) is seeking public comment on its Five-Year State Plan for 2022-2026. The State Plan lists projects that the Council plans to fund to address the needs identified by people with disabilities, families, and stakeholders. The Council is seeking public comment on proposed projects in the following areas: children and health; community living; employment; leadership development; outreach; public awareness; and public policy. Click HERE to read an executive summary and HERE for the full document. Click HERE to submit your feedback by Feb. 28.

Understanding Breath and Emotion: New Insights into the Vagus Nerve Webinar – Jan. 27

As part of Ohio’s Strong Families, Safe Communities initiative, OhioMHAS will partner with the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities to host a free webinar Understanding Breath and Emotion: New Insights into the Vagus Nerve on Jan. 27 from 10-11:30 a.m. The webinar will be led by Douglas Keller, an author and professor in Yoga Therapy at the Maryland University of Integrative Health. CEUs have been applied for. Click the link for more information and to register.

Family Toolkit Available

The Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services Board of Lorain County, in partnership with its network of child and adolescent serving behavioral health agencies, have developed a Family Toolkit to help families with children of all ages stay emotionally well amid the ongoing pandemic. The materials are available in both English and Spanish. The materials are also available on the OhioMHAS COVID-19 Resources page.

Nationwide Children’s Resource on How to Talk to Children About Current Events

In light of the past year’s civil unrest and recent events on Capitol Hill, Nationwide Children’s Hospital provided guidance on how to talk to children about scary, violent, or other traumatic events to which they have been exposed. The message from Parker Huston, Ph.D., is part of the hospital’s ongoing On Our Sleeves movement to transform children’s mental health.

New Factsheet for Providers Serving Mexican Indigenous Families

The National Hispanic and Latino Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network has released a new resource for Engaging Mexican Indigenous Families, Children, and Youth in Mental Health Treatment.

In the News

1.8.21 | Cleveland.com ‘I couldn’t stop crying’: coronavirus patient’s anxiety leads her to seek counseling
1.7.21 | WEWS-TV Real money, virtual addiction – gaming ‘loot boxes’ introduce gambling at a young age, experts say
1.7.21 | WDTN-TV ADAMHS: Make 2021 the year you quit
1.7.21 | Cleveland.com How to find a mental health therapist who’s affordable, nearby, and a good fit for you
1.7.21 | Springfield News-Sun Springfield behavioral health clinic serving hot dinners to residents in need
1.7.21 | Cleveland.com Mental health professionals in Cleveland say telehealth services are here to stay
1.6.21 | WKBN-TV Boardman Schools’ new sensory room aims to improve students’ mental health during COVID era
1.6.21 | EurekAlert! Link between dietary fiber and depression partially explained by gut-brain interactions
1.6.21 | Bellefontaine Examiner MHDAS Board awarded $1.1M federal SOR funding
1.6.21 | Kaiser Health News Children’s hospitals grapple with wave of mental illness
1.5.21 | Ashland Times-Gazette Pathways Peer Support offers a mental health boost in Ashland County