>>> Bringing Help. Bringing Hope. Week of Appreciation – Sept. 18-24

This week (Sept. 18-24), the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities (OACBHA), the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OHMHAS), and Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health (ADAMH)Boards throughout Ohio will promote a Week of Appreciation for all mental health and addiction workers. Collectively, we want to thank all individuals working to support recovery throughout our communities. Join us in celebrating their hard work and commitment to bringing help and bringing hope to Ohioans in need. Click HERE to view a video message from OACBHA CEO Cheri Walter, HERE for a message from OhioMHAS Director Lori Criss and HERE for a fact sheet.

>>> Reminder: Upcoming 340 Stakeholder Review Workgroup Regional Listening Sessions

This Fall, the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) is convening five in-person regional listening and discussion sessions and three virtual sessions to allow for local input and perspective on issues the 340 Workgroup has been considering. Our goal for these meetings is to facilitate roundtable conversations with representatives of local ADAMH boards, providers, county officials, community leaders, and Ohioans with lived experience and their families that allow OhioMHAS and members of the Workgroup to listen and gather feedback around the delivery of behavioral health services in Ohio’s communities. Anyone interested in participating in the roundtable discussions, in-person or virtual, must RSVP to 340ReviewWorkgroup@mha.ohio.gov no later than one week in advance of the meeting date. RSVPs should include full name, organization (if applicable), and county of residence; please also indicate if any special accommodation is needed. The meetings are open to the public, and a public comment period will be a part of each of these sessions. The dates and times of these meetings are below.

Upcoming In-Person Sessions organized regionally by OhioMHAS Regional Psychiatric Hospital catchment areas

• Northeast Ohio: Thursday, Oct. 13, (2-4 p.m., Akron-Summit County Public Library, 60 S. High St, Akron). RSVP by Oct. 6.
• Appalachia/Southeast Ohio: Thursday, Oct. 27, (2-4 p.m., Athens-Meigs ESC, 21 Birge Dr., Chauncey). RSVP by Oct. 20.
• Southwest Ohio: Monday, Nov. 7, (2-4 p.m. Warren County Educational Service Center, 1879 Deerfield Rd. Lebanon). RSVP by Oct. 31.
• Northwest Ohio: Monday, Nov. 14, (2-4 p.m., Wood County Educational Service Center, 1867 Research Drive, Bowling Green). RSVP by Nov. 7.

Virtual Sessions

To receive a link to these sessions, please register by sending an email to 340ReviewWorkgroup@mha.ohio.gov no later than one week in advance of the meeting date.

• Monday, Oct. 24, 6-8 p.m. RSVP by Oct. 17.
• Tuesday, Nov. 1, 6-8 p.m. Please note this session is reserved specifically for peers and organizations run by peers. RSVP by Oct. 25.
• Wednesday, Nov. 9, 10 a.m.-12 noon. RSVP by Nov. 2.

>>> More Than 10,000 Ohioans Trained Through Statewide Mental Health First Aid Collaboration

In response to the nation’s mental health crisis, OhioMHAS has funded three projects to bring Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) to its citizens. This groundbreaking, skills-based course teaches people how to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health or substance use challenges. In Ohio, the Statewide MHFA Collaborative, made up of lead agency Mental Health America of Northern Kentucky and Southwest Ohio, Mental Health America of Ohio and Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success have become national leaders in training such a vast number of people. The Collaborative has leveraged the funding provided by OhioMHAS to certify 10,000 Ohioans in Mental Health First Aid and trained 100 new MHFA instructors in just two and a half years starting when the pandemic was in the earliest stages. The success of this project is even more impressive because of the transition from in-person to virtual classes including a new virtual curriculum, a new learning management system, and supporting MHFA Instructors in shifting from in person classrooms to Zoom classrooms. Click HERE to read a full media announcement highlighting this important training milestone. For more information or to host a MHFA training for 30 attendees for your organization, please visit the project’s website at www.ohiomhfa.org or contact the Statewide MHFA Director at jgora@mhankyswoh.org.

>>> NIMH Director Highlights Research in National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Message

In a new Director’s message for National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Director Joshua Gordon, M.D., Ph.D.,  discusses what have we learned about suicide risk and prevention during the COVID-19 pandemic and how NIMH has been building upon these findings to meet the needs of a rapidly changing world.

In the News

9.19.22 | WTOL-TV A school-based support program coming to Ohio could benefit Lucas County students

9.18.22 | Lorain Morning Journal Avon: The Hope for B.E.S.T. looks to help mental health awareness

9.18.22 | Warren Tribune-Chronicle Rally for Recovery supports those struggling

9.18.22 | USA Today More Americans have gotten mental health treatment since 2019

9.17.22 | WKBN-TV Hundreds gather at Eastwood Field for recovery rally

9.17.22 | WBNS-TV ‘A Night of Hope’ in Westerville raising mental health awareness

9.17.22 | WBNS-TV (Special) Beat the Stigma: Recovery is Possible

9.16.22 | Columbus Dispatch Suicide deaths in Franklin County increased 10% over 2020, county coroner reports

9.16.22 | WKBN-TV In Depth: Critical youth services of local mental health agency

9.16.22 | Fostoria Review TimesHancock County recognized for work to limit recidivism