NewsNow - 08.31.2022

>>> Governor Announces Second Annual Overdose Awareness Day, Launches New Naloxone Website

On Monday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced that Ohio will observe the state’s second annual Overdose Awareness Day today, Aug. 31 and begin recognition of September’s Recovery Month. Established in 2021 by Senate Bill 30, Ohio Overdose Awareness Day aims to raise public awareness and remember the lives lost to the ongoing national opioid epidemic. As part of this year’s observance, RecoveryOhio announced the creation of Naloxone.Ohio.gov, a new resource that provides Ohioans with a simplified process for obtaining free naloxone, a life-saving drug used to reverse an opioid overdose. The new website makes requesting naloxone as seamless as possible for all Ohioans, whether they are a first responder, community member, or distribution site, and enhances access to prevention and treatment information.

To help local communities promote Overdose Awareness Day, leaders from Governor DeWine’s RecoveryOhio initiative, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (MHAS) have created an Ohio Overdose Awareness Day Toolkit. The toolkit includes social media graphics and posts, videos, posters, and digital ads that can be used by local communities and organizations to raise awareness. The toolkit also aims to educate Ohioans on what to do in an overdose situation and how to get help for someone struggling with addiction.

In recognition of Overdose Awareness Day, state flags displayed at all state buildings and public institutions will be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset. Read Governor DeWine’s proclamations for Overdose Awareness Day and Recovery Month on RecoveryOhio.gov.

Other Overdose Awareness Day and Recovery Month efforts include:

Counterfeit Pill Public Awareness Campaign -- A new public awareness campaign is focused on warning middle school, high school, and college students and their families of the dangers of counterfeit pills. This campaign includes social media videos, infographics, flyers, and fact sheets for use by schools, communities, and families.
Cincinnati Reds Partnership -- The Cincinnati Reds will recognize Ohio Overdose Awareness Day at their August 31 game and will feature recovery testimony videos, digital promotions and other advertisements featuring information about Overdose Awareness Day resources.
Funding for Local Drug Overdose Awareness Day Events -- OhioMHAS and ODH have made $768,000 in funding available to local ADAMH boards and community organizations to host local Overdose Awareness Day and Recovery Month awareness events.
Additional Community Naloxone Distribution -- OhioMHAS has dedicated $1.9M in additional funds for Naloxone distribution to communities via Project DAWN sites.

Click HERE for more information, including a list of how Ohio communities plan to observe Ohio Overdose Awareness Day.

>>> Governor DeWine Releases RecoveryOhio's Annual Review

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine in observance of the state's second annual Overdose Awareness Day today released the 2021 RecoveryOhio Annual Review, which gives a detailed overview of the work that RecoveryOhio has done to improve prevention, treatment, and recovery support efforts that address the state’s public health crisis – mental health and substance use. “As we recognize the state's second annual Overdose Awareness Day, I am proud of the efforts underway to help those who are struggling, but more work remains to be done. My administration, RecoveryOhio, and the RecoveryOhio Advisory Council are committed to addressing the behavioral health needs in this state so that every Ohioan can live up to their God-given potential,” said Governor DeWine. “I am confident that through our continued collective and holistic efforts, Ohio can lead the nation in recovery and behavioral health services and support.”

>>> 2023 OhioMHAS Crisis Academy Series Continues – Sept. 28

OhioMHAS’ 2023 Crisis Academy Series will continue on Sept. 28 from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. with Ohio’s Crisis Initiatives: Crisis Report, 988, MRSS, OhioRise. OhioMHAS staff along with behavioral health leaders throughout the state will provide a level set of the work that’s been done to improve Ohio’s crisis continuum, accomplishments that have occurred, and updates on this ongoing work. During this session presenters will explore key elements of OhioMHAS’s crisis report and educate on key initiatives: 988, MRSS, and OhioRISE. Participants will gain a better understanding of OhioMHAS’s vision for the crisis continuum and learn more about resources that are available. The webinar will is free to attend, but advance registration is required. Click the link above for more information and to register.

>>> MHAOhio Occumetrics Workplace Health Assessment Program

Mental Health America of Ohio (MHAOhio) is currently accepting requests from OhioMHAS-licensed agencies to participate in its free workplace health assessment, Occumetrics. Through thoughtful survey analysis and carefully facilitated focus groups, Occumetrics helps organizations of all sizes assess what is driving turnover and what staff need most to feel more satisfied at work. A tailored leadership report provides recommendations rooted in employee feedback and best practices for a psychologically healthy, successful work environment; implementation support is also available. In Ohio, MHAOhio has conducted 75 assessments with 50 OMHAS-licensed agencies, gathering information from more than 8,000 employees. Occumetrics would like to increase its reach in the following regions: Southeast/Appalachian, Northwest/West, and the greater Dayton area. To request an assessment or learn more, contact Brandi Allen at ballen@mhaohio.org.

>>> NIH: Increased Use of Telehealth During COVID-19 Pandemic Associated with Reduced Risk of Overdose

The expansion of telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with individuals staying in treatment longer and reducing their risk of medically treated overdose, according to a new study. Published today in JAMA Psychiatry, this study was a collaborative effort led by researchers at the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, a part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; the National Institute on Drug Abuse, part of the National Institutes of Health; and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Click HERE to read the full media release.

>>> Inaugural OhioMHAS Director’s Summit Focuses on Priorities, Progress, and Collaboration

OhioMHAS hosted the 2022 Director’s Summit “Building a Healthy, Hopeful Ohio; Navigating the Future Together” on Tuesday at the Hilton Columbus/Polaris. The inaugural Summit brought together behavioral health leaders from throughout Ohio to network and to learn about current OhioMHAS priorities and progress. Presentations focused on a variety of topics including: strengthening Ohio’s behavioral health workforce, community planning, First Episode Psychosis, combatting compassion fatigue, youth mental health and resiliency, peer support modernization and expansion, youth prevention, and crisis.

In the News

8.31.22 | Columbus Dispatch New OhioRise programs enrolls more than 8,000 kids with behavioral health needs

8.31.22 | Akron Beacon Journal ‘Many people do achieve recovery’: Portage recognizes Ohio Overdose Awareness Day

8.31.22 | Columbus Dispatch Franklin County’s slight drop in drug overdose deaths in 2021 belies ongoing problem

8.31.22 | WEWS-TV Lorain County mom shares tragic story of son s’ deaths on Overdose Awareness Day

8.30.22 | The New York Times Inside the adolescent mental health crisis

8.30.22 | Ashland Source September to bring suicide prevention, awareness programs to Ashland County

8.30.22 | Tiffin Advertiser-Tribune Mental Health Board hosts behavioral health summit

8.30.22 | WKYC-TV Ohio students return to school: Beating the stigma around mental health

8.30.22 | Highland County Press Governor DeWine orders flags lowered to recognize Ohio Overdose Awareness Day

8.30.22 | Dayton Daily News VOICES: Returned citizens use art to help those struggling with mental health

8.30.22 | WOIO-TV Overdose Awareness Day comes as fentanyl deaths continue to rise in Ohio