Ohio Awarded $360,000 Planning Grant to Assist With Roll Out of ‘988’ Suicide Prevention Lifeline

The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) announced today that it has received a $360,000 planning grant from Vibrant Emotional Health to assist with the roll out of the new nationwide ‘988’ calling code for suicide prevention. In July 2022, 988 will replace the current National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255). Americans needing support should continue to call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) until then. The grant will support Ohio’s efforts across the state enterprise to have a lasting positive impact for suicide prevention/intervention. OhioMHAS will coordinate with team of suicide prevention and crisis care providers from throughout Ohio to address coordination, capacity, funding, and communications surrounding the launch of 988. Click HERE to view the media announcement.

COVID-19 Testing Resources for Adult Care Facilities

OhioMHAS is pleased to announce that, beginning today (Jan. 25), at-home COVID-19 testing kits will be available for residents and staff of department-certified Adult Care Facilities. The kits will be provided by the State of Ohio at no cost for baseline testing purposes only. Baseline testing will help screen residents and staff for COVID-19 who may be asymptomatic or have been unable to obtain off-site testing for various reasons. To request the at-home COVID-19 testing kits, please email COVID19Housing@mha.ohio.gov.

Please include the following information with your email request:

1. Licensed facility name and address
2. Mailing address for testing kits (if different than licensed facility address)
3. Licensed operator’s name, date of birth (DOB), phone number, and email
4. Number of testing kits for residents
5. Number of testing kits for staff

For more information, please refer to the Jan. 22, 2021 memo from OhioMHAS Director Lori Criss to ACF operators.

Peer Recovery Supporter Training Opportunity for Residents of Southeast Ohio

The Empowering Communities Initiative and Appalachia Unite have partnered to offer a 40-hour online Peer Recovery Supporter Training to residents of the following counties: Athens, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Meigs, Pike, Scioto, Vinton. Trainings will be held from 1-6 p.m. on the following Saturdays and Sundays: March 6-7, March 13-14, March 20-21, March 27-28, and April 10-11. To attend, individuals must be in recovery from a mental health and/or substance use issue. For more information and to register, email CSW-ECI@osu.edu.

In the News

1.23.21 | Lorain Morning Journal The LCADA Way celebrates 40 years of alcohol, drug abuse services
1.23.21 | Patch.com Lakeland-developed app now utilized by other colleges to assist students with mental health
1.22.21 | WTOV-TV When it comes to supporting mental health at schools, know your ABCs
1.22.21 | Coshocton Tribune New outpatient facility focused on helping those with drug and alcohol issues
1.22.21 | WTOL-TV Overcoming the stigma of mental illness may help some find the care they need
1.22.21 | Warren Tribune-Chronicle (Editorial) Addiction has gotten worse with pandemic
1.22.21 | HealthDay Meth overdoses surging in America, with minorities most at risk
1.16.21 |WKBN-TV Help agency celebrates 50 years, looks to evolve further to keep meeting community’s needs