NewsNow - 05.06.2022

>>> Check Your Stress Level: State Shares ‘Stress First Aid’ Tool, Other Resources for Mental Health Month

In recognition of May as Mental Health Month, the Ohio Departments of Health (ODH) and Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) are teaming up with Governor Mike DeWine’s RecoveryOhio initiative to shine a spotlight on mental illness, create awareness, share resources, and combat stigmas that discourage some Ohioans from reaching out for help. These resources include Stress First Aid (SFA) – an easy-to-use, evidence-based tool that can be used by anyone to recognize and address signs of emotional distress and take action to promote wellness for self and others.

SFA is a time-tested, proven intervention model that helps people identify stress reactions in themselves and others along a color-coded continuum and offers concrete steps to help reduce the likelihood that stress outcomes develop into more severe or long-term problems. Originally developed and created for use by the National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with the United States Navy, SFA has since been successfully adapted for other groups, including law enforcement, healthcare workers, and the public. The model identifies seven core actions focused on recognizing and addressing problems associated with various levels of stress in oneself and others. It is a widely used model that makes it easy for anyone to use the tools to help manage their response to stress. All materials – including a free, 30-minute training and facilitator training guide on how to use SFA in a variety of settings – are available on the OhioMHAS website.

SFA is not meant to address all ranges of issues – it is a first aid model, and not designed to deal with lifelong problems, personality issues, serious mental health issues, or complex problems that would require more intensive interventions. For those who need additional assistance, the State of Ohio operates a free emotional support CareLine (1.800.720.9616) to provide confidential help. Trained counselors are available 24/7 to provide guidance and support, and if necessary, facilitate connections to community treatment resources. Ohio also offers a Crisis Text Line (text the keyword 4HOPE to 741 741). Click HERE to read the full media announcement and to access other mental health resources. Please share this information with your contacts.

>>> 17th Annual Resiliency Ring Highlights Children’s Mental Health Day

In honor of Children’s Mental Health Day, YouthMOVE Ohio held its 17th Annual Resiliency Ring Thursday at Columbus Commons in downtown Columbus. Young people from throughout Ohio participated both in-person and virtually to help shine a spotlight on youth mental health. This year’s event focused on school-based services and peer support for all children, youth, and young adults in Ohio. OhioMHAS Director Lori Criss provided brief remarks and participated in forming the ring alongside the youth.

YouthMOVE (Motivating Others through Voices of Experience) is a group of young leaders (ages 14-30), representing multiple systems, who work to improve systems and services for youth around Ohio through advocacy, education, community service, and peer support. Click HERE to watch the press conference and HERE to see more photos.

>>> First Episode Psychosis Twitter Chat – May 12

Make plans to join the Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) Ohio Program for Campus Safety & Mental Health (OPCSMH) and the Best Practices in Schizophrenia Treatment (BeST) Center for a Recognizing and Responding to a First Episode of Psychosis Twitter chat on May 12 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. The chat will provide opportunities to learn and about and understand: the signs and symptoms of a first episode of psychosis; how to encourage people to seek help for psychosis as soon as symptoms begin; provide culturally responsive care when working with students living with psychosis; facilitate referrals to community-based Ohio Coordinated Specialty Care for First Episode Psychosis treatment programs; and more. #campuspowerhour #earlypsychosis.

To join: Log on to your Twitter account and visit the OPCSMH Twitter page @neomedopcsmh at 2 p.m. on May 12. (No need to pre-register.)

New to Twitter? Twitter provides a detailed instruction guide to creating an account for yourself, your institution, organization, or business.

Want to participate? If you do not have a Twitter account, but still want to find the helpful resources throughout the chat, visit the Twitter explore page and search the Twitter handle @neomedopcsmh to stay up to date.

Questions? Email opcsmh@neomed.edu.

>>> 20th Annual NADD State of Ohio MI/ID Conference – July 11-13

NADD, in partnership with OhioMHAS and the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, will host the 20th Annual State of Ohio MI/ID Conference virtually on July 11-13. All administrators, behavior support specialists, psychologists, direct care professionals, physicians, educators, residential providers, family members, social workers, nurses, students, persons with disabilities, researchers, vocational staff, psychiatrists, therapists, criminal justice systems personnel, employment specialists, case managers, and client coordinators are invited to attend. Cost is $160 for NADD members and $200 for non-members. Click the link above to view the conference booklet and HERE to register.

>>> OhioMHAS to Host Director’s Summit: Building a Healthy, Hopeful Ohio – Aug. 30

Save the Date! The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services will be hosting a one-day Director’s Summit in central Ohio on Aug. 30 to provide behavioral health stakeholders and advocates from around the state an opportunity to learn about Ohio’s programmatic, evidenced-based, promising, and best practices, as well as allow for input, feedback, and collaboration with the Department’s staff. The Summit will be available for attendees to join in person or participate virtually, and attendees will have the opportunity to earn continuing education credits. The theme will be Building a Healthy, Hopeful Ohio: Navigating the Future Together. More details will be announced soon.

>>> CompDrug's Youth to Youth Program Offers Unique, Free Opportunities for Youth Groups in Ohio

In partnership with CareSource, Youth to Youth is offering a series of free programming to enhance youth-led prevention in the state of Ohio.

Free Summer Conference: Youth groups can register now, free of charge, for Youth to Youth's "In Real Life" Conference June 28-July 1. This youth-led, adult-guided conference is built for young people and their adult allies who want to learn how to make a real impact in their community and have a blast while doing it. Groups will leave feeling educated, inspired, and equipped to bring youth-led programming back to their own community. Groups planning to attend the conference can apply now for up to $20,000 in grant funding to fund youth-led projects. Applications are due May 18.

Free “Finding Hope Mental Wellness” Presentation: Are you looking to inspire youth at your event, school or summer program? Apply now to bring Youth to Youth’s experienced speakers to your school or youth event. This motivational mental health and leadership training is available to select applicants through 2022 at no cost. Finding Hope focuses on building emotional, relational, and leadership skills by dealing with loss of control, finding balance, and managing reactions and attitudes.

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