The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) was proud to join with colleagues from Governor DeWine's RecoveryOhio initiative, the Ohio Department of Insurance today to host the 2nd Annual Mental Health Day at the Ohio State Fair. Staff from the Ohio Department of Commerce was also on hand to share information about their Recovery Within Reach initiative.

Staff and volunteers greeted fairgoers at the Cardinal Gate and distributed around 4,500 drawstring bags filled with resources and promotional items aimed at boosting awareness of state-supported mental health programs and services. Agency directors greeted fairgoers were also on hand to greet fair patrons and visit with staff working agency information booths at the fair. 

The 2023 Ohio State Fair runs through Sunday, Aug. 6. Click HERE for more information, including concerts, attractions and daily schedules. Be sure to follow OhioMHAS on social media for more photos and updates!

Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) Director Lori Criss and Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) Chancellor Randy Gardner hosted two information sessions recently to help acquaint the Ohio's behavioral health providers and representatives from Ohio's two- and four-year colleges and universities with the new Great Minds Fellowship program. The program seeks to grow Ohio's behavioral health workforce by helping students jump start a successful future in their chosen career path while allowing communities across Ohio to better care for those living with mental health and substance abuse disorders.

In case you missed the information sessions, you can watch recordings of both presentations at https://highered.ohio.gov/great-minds. On the Great Minds web page, visitors can also access a variety of partner resources, including:
• Community Behavioral Health Centers Guidance Document
• Colleges and Universities Guidance Document
• Technical Assistance Memo 
• FAQs for Colleges and Universities
• Logo and Branding Guidance
• Social media graphics
• Informational flyer
• Behavioral Health Workforce Dashboard

Check back often for updates. Questions? Please email workforce@mha.ohio.gov. 

OhioMHAS now has an Ohio-specific logo for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to use in marketing efforts to increase awareness of 988 for Ohioans seeking help. We encourage our partner agencies and stakeholders to visit our 988 branding resources page to download and use this logo in any marketing or awareness materials you create for your communities.

In addition to logos, and guidelines, you can also find a social media toolkit. Please use these branding guidelines to help promote 988 consistently, statewide. 

Prevention Action Alliance (PAA) has announced that the Ohio National Guard Counterdrug Program is its 2023 Stick Your Neck Out for Prevention award winner. This signature award will be presented at PAA’s annual Your Role in Prevention luncheon on Aug. 16 from noon-1:30 p.m. at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in downtown Columbus. Former Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy will provide keynote remarks. 

The Ohio National Guard Counterdrug Program champions prevention efforts throughout Ohio — actively investing in prevention coalitions across the state and supporting law enforcement agencies and community-based organizations. Their relentless support for prevention enhances efforts to counter the state’s active drug threat and anticipate, deter, and defeat the threat of illegal substances, trafficking, and violence in Ohio.

“The recognition our program receives for its prevention work is a tremendous honor. We firmly believe that our efforts contribute significantly to building a safer Ohio, making it a better place for our fellow citizens. We understand the importance of community-driven approaches and the positive impact they have on reducing drug-related issues,” said Michael A. Barnauskas, LTC, Ohio National Guard Counterdrug Coordinator.

MSG Douglas Spain, who serves as a program manager for the Counterdrug Program, is embedded within the OhioMHAS Office of Prevention Services. Deputy Director for Prevention Services Bobbie Boyer lauded MSG Spain's leadership and support, noting “Doug has been a visionary leader...We are seeing a rise in creative approaches to support our work and are grateful to have him as a member of our team.”

For more information about the award or the luncheon, please contact Leah Blewitt at 614.540.9985 or email lblewitt@preventionactionalliance.org.

NAMI Ohio has announced several upcoming Family Peer Support Training opportunities. These trainings promote uniformity of core competencies of Family Peer Supporters as practitioners. All classes are three days in-person and two days virtual. For more information and to register please contact Tameika Wright, Family Peer Support Training Coordinator at 614.224.2700 ext. 225, or email Tameika@namiohio.org. 

Aug. 28-30 and Sept. 6-7 | Cuyahoga/Summit County
Sept. 18-20 and Sept. 27-28 | Fulton County
Oct. 16-18 and Oct. 25-26 | Hamilton County 

The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation will host the 2nd Annual Art of Healing Benefit for Suicide Prevention on Sept. 7 at The Fives Columbus. The Benefit will feature an exciting lineup of guest speakers, an art exhibit featuring work by advocates, a silent auction, and a special appearance from Emmy Award winning actor, producer, director and best-selling author Henry Winkler. For questions or more information, email Rachel.Tilson@ohiospf.org or visit: https://www.ohiospf.org/art-of-healing-benefit/.