Last week, Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) Director LeeAnne Cornyn visited Ohio's Pharmacy Services Center (OPSC) to meet staff and learn about the Center's diverse array of goods and services.

OPSC provides pharmaceuticals (to institutions with licensed full-service pharmacies); over-the-counter-medications (available without a prescription); office supplies and forms; laboratory, medical and pharmacy supplies; personal care products (health and beauty products); dispensed inpatient/outpatient pharmaceutical services; and Naloxone/Project DAWN kits.The Center provides goods and services to state facilities, county health departments, community mental health agencies, free clinics, county jails, non-profits, and others under ORC 5119.44. The visit was part of a focused series of listening sessions dedicated to building connections and enhancing well-being in behavioral health settings.

Pictured: (Top) OPS Chief Timothy Bodle shows Director Cornyn how medications are packaged in blister packs and labeled for distribution. (Inset) Director Cornyn greets Joseph Brown while touring the OPS warehouse in Columbus.

Last week, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) released Black Mental Health Matters: A Resource Guide for Black History Month. The guide includes a variety of social media resources, websites, blogs, and more. 

For ways to get more directly involved, consider getting trained in Mental Health First Aid and learn how to support those around you and take care of your own mental wellbeing. Find a virtual or in-person Mental Health First Aid course near you using the Find a Course Tool on the MHFA website. Bring Mental Health First Aid to your workplace by visiting MHFA.org/workplace and completing the inquiry form.

Ohio Citizen Advocates for Addiction Recovery (OCAAR) is hosting a Town Hall Listening Session with Rahal Gupta, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., F.A.C.P., Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, on Feb. 21 from 1:00-2:30 p.m. at The Ohio State University Fawcett Event Center in Columbus. This event will be dedicated to hearing the voices and experiences of Ohioans in recovery from substance use disorders. Pre-registration is required as limited seats will be available. 

Registration is now open for the 2024 NAMI Ohio Statewide Conference scheduled for May 3-4 at the Nationwide Hotel & Conference Center in Lewis Center. The conference brings together individuals, families, professionals, and advocates from across the state who are interested in improving the lives of individuals and families impacted by mental illness. The conference will feature keynote speakers, workshops, exhibitors, and networking opportunities focused on raising awareness, providing education, and expanding support. A full agenda will be available in March. A limited number of full and partial scholarships are available. Full scholarships will cover conference registration and lodging at the Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center. Partial scholarships will cover registration only. For more information, please email katie@namiohio.org. 

The Cuyahoga Problem Gambling Coalition will host its 10th Anniversary Summer Symposium on June 20-21 at Tri-C Corporate College East. The symposium will include keynote speakers, panel discussions, network, and breakout sessions. Registration is free for all participants. Snacks, sundae bar, and hot lunch are included. Registration will be open throughout Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) at the beginning of March. Participants who register by March 31 will receive a complimentary CPGC Anniversary swag bag. For more information, email Nora Larson at NLarson@recres.org or call 216.923.1248. 

Save these dates! Ohio Peer Recovery Organizations (OhioPRO) announced that it will host the 2024 Peer Recovery Summit on July 29-20 at the HIlton Columbus–Polaris. This year's theme is Peer Faces: Celebrating Resiliency. National and local speakers will lead transformative educational sessions that will provide recovery leaders and peer supporters with new ideas and invigoration to continue to do meaningful work in their communities. Registration for the summit will open at the beginning of May and will be limited to 550 attendees.Subscribe to OhioPRO's newsletter to receive more information. 

The International Community Justice Association (ICJA) is seeking workshop proposals for its 2024 Annual Research Conference, slated for Sept. 15-18 at the Galt House in Louisville, Ky. This year's theme is 60 Years of Doing What Matters: Creating Hope by Opening Doors Through Emerging Research. The deadline to submit a proposal is April 30. Click the link above for more information and to submit a proposal. Questions? Please email info@icjaonline.org or call 614.252.8417.