>>> OhioMHAS Director Lori Criss Reflects on March as Social Work Month in New Video

March is Social Work Month, and Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) Director Lori Criss recognizes the important contributions of social workers to the lives of many Ohioans. A social worker herself, Director Criss knows how hard these professionals work and how dedicated they are to their practice. Click HERE to view a brief video message from the Director thanking social workers for all they do to help Ohioans live their best lives.

>>> Governor DeWine Launches New Ohio Drug Education Pilot Program

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine today announced that a new drug education and mentorship pilot program has now launched in several elementary schools in Ohio. The Drug Resilience Education Awareness Mentorship (DREAM) program was developed by the Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center, Ohio Task Force Commanders Association, and Buckeye State Sheriffs' Association, with support from RecoveryOhio. The pilot program is currently in multiple K-3 classrooms in Ohio and will later expand to older age groups. The K-3 program pilot sites include Colerain Elementary and Taylor Elementary (Hamilton County), Wickliffe Elementary (Lake County), RC Waters Elementary (Ottawa County), Antwerp Elementary (Paulding County), Glacier Ridge Elementary (Union County), and a home school group in Marion County. The creation of the DREAM video series was first proposed by the Ottawa County Drug Task Force, MEDWAY Drug Task Force, and Lake County Drug Task Force as a tool for law enforcement officers to use in schools when presenting to different age groups of children. The program offers a variety of videos for students, including a special role model series featuring several standout Ohioans delivering positive messages on the importance of hard work, the dangers of using or abusing substances, and the importance of never giving up on dreams. The K-12 video series focuses on Ohio's Whole Child Framework, the Ohio Department of Education's health, social, and emotional learning requirements, and role-playing opportunities. The program is intended to complement other curriculums already in use such as DARE, the HOPE Curriculum, and Generation Rx. In addition to student videos, the video series also includes instructional videos for educators on how to best implement this program in the classroom, as well as informational videos for guardians to aid families in discussing these sensitive topics. Click HERE to read the full media announcement.

>>> Expanding Coordinated Specialty Care for First Episode Psychosis Request for Applications

The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) is accepting applications (MHA-FY22-Treatment-First Episode Psychosis-06) from community mental health agencies interested in implementing a new program aimed at expanding access to coordinated specialty care (CSC) for first episode psychosis (FEP) via utilization of Telehealth services in coordination with specialists from the EPICENTER program at Ohio State University’s (OSU) Wexner Medical Center Harding Hospital. OhioMHAS seeks to choose two community mental health agencies that will serve as pilot locations for the initiation of the program during its first year. The goal is to expand CSC for FEP to areas of the state where a first episode psychosis program does not currently exist. OSU EPICENTER experts will provide ongoing training and implementation technical assistance free of charge. The pilot period for this project is July 1, 2022–June 30, 2023, and funding of up to $60,000 for each program is available to cover the cost of training and non-billable time required to engage in the project. Applications must be submitted to CSCFEPVirtualTeam@mha.ohio.gov by 4:00 p.m. on April 15. All questions must be submitted to CSCFEPVirtualTeam@mha.ohio.gov by 4:00 p.m. on April 11. Responses to frequently asked questions will be posted on the OhioMHAS Funding Opportunities webpage.

>>> SAMHSA: CCBHC – Planning, Development, and Implementation Grants

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has issued a notice of funding opportunity (SM-22-002) for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) – Planning, Development, and Implementation Grants. The intent of the CCBHC-PDI grant program is to (a) assist organizations in the planning for and development and implementation of a CCBHC that meets the CCBHC Certification Criteria, (b) provide a comprehensive range of outreach, screening, assessment, treatment, care coordination, and recovery supports based on a needs assessment that aligns with the CCBHC Certification Criteria, and (c) support recovery from mental illness and/or substance use disorders (SUD) by providing access to high-quality mental health and SUD services, regardless of an individual’s ability to pay. Applications are due by May 17. SAMHSA anticipates awarding 156, $1 million grants. Click HERE for eligibility criteria and more information.

>>> Using Data to Identify Individuals, Populations, and Communities at High Risk for Suicide – April 28

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Forum on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders will host a 3-part public webinar series, Using Innovative Data Science Approaches to Identify Individuals, Populations, and Communities at High Risk for Suicide. Webinar 1, scheduled for April 28 from 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., will focus on current approaches used by social media platforms, technology companies, and researchers to determine suicide risk in individuals and communities. Sessions will:

• Explore current strategies used by technology and social media platforms
• Discuss artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) algorithms used to identify individuals and populations at high-risk for suicide
• Examine data science techniques and their effectiveness to assess suicide risk
• Discuss the responsibility of AI/ML algorithms in the continuum of care for suicide prevention

The series is free. Click HERE for more information and to register.

In the News

3.21.22 | Today Former Ohio State football player delivers powerful message to anyone struggling with depression

3.21.22 | Columbus Dispatch HOPE Resource Center expands resources for those facing addiction

3.20.22 | Dayton Daily News Massive setup underway for new 988 suicide hotline

3.20.22 | CBS News Addressing the pandemic’s mental health fallout

3.20.22 | Dayton Daily News Make a Difference: The Castle serves those with mental illness

3.19.22 | The New York Times A general fights to destigmatize mental health issues: ‘There’s a shame if you show weakness’

3.19.22 | WFMJ-TV Importance of drug education in schools

3.19.22 | Findlay Courier No shame in seeking help amid the pandemic

3.19.22 | Elyria Chronicle-Telegram MHARS seeking architect for Lorain County Crisis Receiving Center

3.18.22 | Springfield News-Sun 20-year mental health board executive retires, replacement named

3.18.22 | WEWS-TV Ohio BCI warns of spike in new form of fentanyl

3.18.22 | Harvard Business Review How organizations can support women’s mental health at work

3.18.22 | Toledo Blade (Editorial) Mental health help is a growing need

3.17.22 | The New York Times For some teens, as masks come off, anxiety sets in