NewsNow - 11.12.2021

Statewide ‘Beat the Stigma’ Education, Awareness Campaign Launched

The stigma surrounding addiction and mental illness isn't just cruel and misinformed; it prolongs the problem by discouraging people with substance use disorder and mental illness from even seeking help. That's the basis of a new, statewide “Beat the Stigma” initiative announced Wednesday by the Ohio Opioid Education Alliance in collaboration with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and RecoveryOhio. The campaign will appear on broadcast television, streaming services, radio, outdoor advertising, and digital and social media. It also will engage communities across Ohio through grassroots activities. The campaign will encourage Ohioans to do three things:

Challenge how you think about addiction. When you see someone who lives with addiction, there's always more to the story than you know. Practice empathy, not judgement.
Know your risk. If there's a history of addiction in your family, know that this increases your risk for addiction. Know your risk and talk to your loved ones about what this means so they can make informed choices.
Take care of your mental health. Mental health challenges can put you at risk for substance misuse.

Click HERE to view a recording of the announcement (program begins at 25:54). Click HERE to view the first public service announcement and HERE to watch a short video examining the impact of stigma across Ohio. Learn more at https://beatthestigma.org/.

New Video Message from Director Criss Encourages Ohioans to Get Vaccinated

Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) Director Lori Criss has an urgent message for Ohioans - get the COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19 infections continue to drive up hospitalizations around our state and threated the health and well-being of our families and communities. The vaccine is safe and effective and reduces the chances of hospitalization and death due to COVID-19. Learn more or find a vaccination provider at gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov.

RFP Released for Vendor to Create the Lockable Rx Container Program

OhioMHAS is seeking proposals from qualified contractors to operate a pilot program under which Schedule II controlled substances in solid oral dosage (pills) are dispensed by participating pharmacies in lockable containers. The selected vendor must design the entire program in accordance with the RFP scope. OhioMHAS is required by Section 337.205 of the main appropriations act for state fiscal years 2021-22 (Am. Sub. H.B. 110 of the 134th General Assembly) to operate a pilot program under which Schedule II controlled substances in pill form are dispensed by participating pharmacies in lockable or tamper-evident containers. The purpose of the program is to determine whether the dispensing of covered drugs in this manner has a measurable impact on decreasing their diversion and misuse and abuse, and should this be promoted as a best practice. The program must be operated for two years or until funds appropriated for the program are expended, whichever occurs first. The General Assembly has earmarked $1M in each fiscal year of this biennium for the pilot program. The vendor link for Ohio|Buys is HERE, and vendors will need to utilize their Supplier Portal login information. Proposals must be submitted by Nov. 26, 2021 by 2:00 pm. Click HERE to view the RFP posting, and look for a small Word document icon on the far right side of the screen. All questions must be submitted through the Ohio|Buys portal.

Ohio Department of Insurance Unveils Mental Health in the Workplace Employer Toolkit

The Ohio Department of Insurance (ODI), in partnership with OhioMHAS, has released a new Mental Health in the Workplace employer toolkit. Today’s workforce is under unique pressure, and that pressure can lead to anxiety, feelings of instability, withdrawal, and the possible need for counseling and care. Difficulty accessing the life-saving mental health care they need or even not being aware of the mental health care options available to them can have detrimental consequences. Even employees with access to care suffer from stigma and a lack of options. This toolkit is designed to help employers and employees promote mental health in the workplace and provide helpful information on navigating mental health and substance use disorder insurance benefits. As a reminder, click HERE for ODI’s Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders Benefits Toolkit.

Behavioral Health Equity: National CLAS Standards in Action Webinar – Nov. 16

The HHS Office of Minority Health (OMH) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will host an Advancing Behavioral Health Equity: National CLAS Standards in Action webinar on Nov. 16 at 2:30 p.m. The webinar will highlight real-world examples of behavioral health service providers using the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services and the Behavioral Health Implementation Guide (PDF). Click the link above for more information and to register.

December CANS Training Schedule Announced for Ohio CANS Certification

The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) has announced December 2021 Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) training dates for CANS assessors. With leadership from Governor DeWine’s Children’s Initiative, ODM has worked with other Ohio agencies that work with youth with complex needs— including OhioMHAS —and the Praed Foundation to create an Ohio specific CANS tool and Decision Support Model that all Ohio CANS assessors will be expected to utilize. The CANS is a functional assessment tool that will be used across systems to make determinations on OhioRISE (Resilience through Integrated Systems and Excellence) eligibility, care planning, Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP) level of care, ongoing assessment, and monitoring of individual and population outcomes. Please refer to the CANS Training Resources document for information on how to register and enroll for December CANS trainings. For questions or concerns related to course registration or enrollment please contact support@tcomtraining.com. For any additional questions, please contact OhioRISE@medicaid.ohio.gov.

NIAAA: Alcohol and Marijuana Use and Motivations Among Young Adults During the Pandemic

Stay-at-home and physical distancing orders during the COVID-19 pandemic have led to increased stress, anxiety, depression, and boredom, and reports suggest that some people may be consuming more alcohol as a coping mechanism. A recent study supported by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) now reveals changes in patterns of alcohol and marijuana use during the pandemic, as well as changes in motives for use among young adults. Click HERE for more information in latest issue of NIAAA’s News from the Field.

In the News

11.11.21 | Cincinnati Enquirer The Faces of a Crisis: Lives lost to overdose as opioid epidemic surges through Ohio, fueled by fentanyl

11.11.21 | WBNS-TV After getting help with gambling addiction, veteran creates podcast to support others

11.11.21 | Columbus Dispatch (Column) Tim Ryan: Veterans deserve better; it’s time for Congress to act

11.11.21 | WCMH-TV Mental health treatment for veterans

11.10.21 | Columbus Dispatch New statewide campaign to reduce stigma around addiction

11.10.21 | Cleveland.com Olmsted Falls Middle School promotes mental health awareness with newly opened John’s Safe Place

11.10.21 | Columbus Dispatch COVID increases immigrants’ mental health needs. How a Northland agency is trying to help.

11.10.21 | Mansfield News-Journal BrightView addiction treatment center helping patients on their path of recovery

11.10.21 | WKEF-TV “We don’t want you to die,” fentanyl seized off the streets has doubled since last year

11.10.21 | WBNS-TV Westerville mother talks about pain of losing son to addiction

11.10.21 | WDTN-TV ‘Beat the Stigma campaign’ to combat mental health issues and addiction