Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, joined by Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Director Lori Criss, and Ohio 988 Administrator Doug Jackson, today recognized the positive impact of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has had on Ohioans following one year of state-and-nationwide implementation. The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides residents with one, easy to remember number to call – 988 – when they or someone they know is in crisis.

“We are working to strengthen and expand Ohio’s crisis care system to help anyone who is in a mental health or addiction crisis – and their family members –quickly connect to help close to home,” said Governor DeWine. “The 988 lifeline is a 24/7 resource for Ohioans, and it is saving lives.”

Sunday, July 16 will mark one year since the launch of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in Ohio and across the nation. On average, over 12,000 Ohioans per month who are experiencing or affected by suicidal, mental health, and/or substance use crises have used the lifeline to receive free, 24/7, confidential support and connections to local resources.

“988 is someone to call and someone to respond, making help more visible, accessible, and effective for Ohioans who are in a behavioral health crisis,” said OhioMHAS Director Lori Criss, who thanked the Governor and members of Ohio’s Legislature for providing $46.5 million in funding in the recently passed state budget to sustain operations for the next two years. “We know from research that approximately 80% of behavioral health crises can be resolved through a phone conversation, which helps reduce pressures on law enforcement, local jails, and emergency departments.”

Ohio’s 19 call centers cover all 88 counties, ensuring a localized approach to answering Ohioans’ calls.  Ohio’s call centers are also answering calls quickly with an average speed to answer rate of 19 seconds, compared to 35 seconds nationally. Nearly 90 percent of calls are answered in state, with under 2 percent rolling over to a national backup center (approximately 11 percent of calls are voluntarily ended by the caller before they are answered).  

Across Ohio, people of all ages and their families are seeking care in record numbers for substance use disorder and mental health concerns. A quality crisis services system provides needed assistance to Ohioans and their families before an emergency occurs, rapidly responds to and stabilizes the person while they are in crisis, and makes strong connections to community-based treatment services and needed supports after a crisis occurs. This new video series highlights the four core principles of Ohio's crisis services system: Connect, Respond, Stabilize, and Thrive.

Click the links below to watch each video:

OhioMHAS Crisis System
OhioMHAS Crisis System - Connect
OhioMHAS Crisis System - Respond
OhioMHAS Crisis System - Stabilize
OhioMHAS Crisis System - Thrive

As a partner agency to the School Based Center of Excellence at Miami University, we invite you to join the Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success (OMHNSS). The network aims to improve mental health services for students in Ohio and increase collaboration between mental health providers, families, and schools. As a member of this network, you will have access to a variety of resources, professional development opportunities, and student assistance and staff wellness programming designed to enhance skills and knowledge in serving the mental health needs of students.

By joining this network, you will also connect with others to share best practices, resources, and to collaborate on improving mental health outcomes for all students. Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect with colleagues, join others in communities of practice, and make a difference in the lives of young people. Join today!

The Traumatic Brain Injury Technical Assistance and Resource Center (TBI TARC) is hosting an Incorporating Trauma Informed Best Practices into Brain Injury Screening webinar on Sept. 28 from 3:00-4:30 p.m. This webinar will provide an overview of the need for a trauma informed approach and best practice principles for implementing trauma informed screening. A trauma informed guide to screening will be reviewed and an example of how to implement trauma informed screening will be provided using a trauma informed approach with implementing a modified Ohio State University Traumatic Brain Injury Identification Method. Questions? Please email tbritarc@hsri.org.

The 12th Annual National LOSS Team Suicide Postvention Conference, presented in part by LOSS Community Services, will take place on Oct. 24-26 at the Hilton Columbus at Easton. This year's conference theme is, "From a Mission to a Movement." Click HERE to view the conference schedule. Questions? Call 614.530.8064 or email team@losscs.org.