Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has released the 2024-2026 Suicide Prevention Plan for the state, reinforcing a commitment to eliminating obstacles for families and individuals grappling with suicide.

“The heartbreak of losing a family member to suicide is a pain that cuts deep, leaving behind a void that words can't fully capture,“ said Governor DeWine. “This plan will bring about a system-wide commitment to reduce suicides and encourage communities to work collectively to foster understanding and destigmatize mental health challenges.”

The plan aims to promote life-saving strategies statewide. The Governor's RecoveryOhio initiative partnered with the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) to spearhead the development of this comprehensive document, incorporating input from more than 30 private and public organizations. Key components of the plan include raising public awareness, enhancing access to timely data, expanding opportunities for healthcare access, and providing support for families coping with the loss of a loved one to suicide. It underscores the importance of collaborative efforts with behavioral healthcare providers, employers, healthcare systems, schools, and community organizations to stem the increasing rates of suicides.

According to the Ohio Department of Health, there were 1,766 suicides in Ohio in 2021, an increase of 8%, from the previous year. That number is below the 10-year high in the state of 1,836 deaths in 2018. In November, 2023, the Center for Disease Control released a report that the United States set a record for the number of suicide deaths with nearly 50,000 people dying by suicide in 2022. The national report indicated that middle aged adults account for the most suicides, while suicide numbers in pre-teens and teens had decreased. 

“We are grateful for Governor DeWine’s leadership and focus on improving the lives of individuals who are struggling with mental health and suicide,” said OSPF Executive Director Tony Coder. “We believe that suicide prevention is a health issue that anyone can be an active participant in and we are grateful that this plan is a strategy that can help more individuals seek care.” 

The Appalachian Regional Commission, in partnership with the Ohio Governor’s Office of Appalachia, is now accepting applications for the Investments Supporting Partnerships in Recovery Ecosystems (INSPIRE) Initiative. The INSPIRE program addresses the Appalachian region’s substance use disorder crisis through projects that create opportunities for Ohioans in recovery to find and keep sustainable employment. 

“By providing support and opportunities for those in recovery, we are working to break the cycle of addiction and foster thriving, resilient communities,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “Recovery-to-work projects do not just improve individual outcomes, but also economic development across the region.”

Successful projects will support post-treatment to employment pathways, including recovery-focused job training, coordinating recovery services, and investments in healthcare networks and partnerships that support recovery. 

ARC will host a virtual pre-application workshop on Feb. 8 to help prospective applicants learn more about the program and applications. Letters of Intent are due Feb. 16. Final applications are due March 8. 

For more information and to apply, visit ARC.Gov/INSPIRE. Ohio applicants are encouraged to work with their Local Development Districts to prepare their applications. 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminsitration (SAMHSA) has released a new consumer guide titled How Can a Peer Specialist Support My Recovery From Problematic Substance Use? This resource offers people with problematic substance use a how-to resource about working on recovery with a peer specialist. Peer specialists are trained professionals with lived experience of problematic substance use, behavior change, and recovery. Peer specialists have long worked at recovery-focused community organizations; they can now often be found in substance use disorder treatment programs and other settings.

The guide includes information on:

• Who peer specialists are.
• How peer support services can benefit people in or seeking recovery.
• The range of services that peer specialists may provide.
• Peer specialists’ roles and values.
• Organizations that offer peer support services, and how to find such places.
• How to get the most out of working with peer specialists.
• How peer support services are paid for.

The state of Ohio has formed the Ohio Sports Gaming Study Committee to examine the impact and plan for the future of gaming in Ohio. Spread across four separate hearings throughout February and March, this committee will delve into testimonies covering iGaming, iLottery, Racinos, charitable gaming, sports betting, and daily fantasy sports.

In preparation for the Ohio Sports Gaming Study Committee hearings, Prevention Action Alliance (PAA) has announced that it will host a Future of Gaming in Ohio: Creating Impactful Advocacy webinar on Feb. 13 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. During this webinar, participants will explore the distinctions between advocacy and lobbying, gain insights into the committee's focus areas, and learn the essentials of preparing and writing compelling testimonies. Join PAA for a dynamic session featuring a comprehensive Q&A to address all your advocacy and responsible gaming queries.

To help girls develop supportive relationships, Ruling Our eXperiences (ROX), The Center for Family Safety and Healing and Nationwide Children’s Hospital have teamed-up to provide parents and children the resources, education, and support to navigate teen dating and relationships. Now in its 12th year, I Matter is a free, annual community conference that gives girls in grades 6-12 the skills they need to engage in healthy relationships and provides their moms and mother figures with the tools and strategies necessary to support them. This year's conference will be held on Feb. 18 from noon-4:00 p.m. at the Nationwide Children's Hospital Education Center in Columbus. Guests will receive free parking, event t-shirts, refreshments, and exclusive giveaways.