The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) and other Ohio for Responsible Gambling (ORG) member agencies partnered with the Problem Gambling Gambling of Ohio to host the 2024 Ohio Problem Gambling Conference on Feb. 15-16 at Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center in Lewis Center. The annual conference brought together national experts, state leaders, and local innovators in problem gambling prevention, recovery, research, and more. Click HERE for more information about this year's conference.

Pictured (l-r): PGNO Executive Director Derek Longmeier moderates a panel of OhioMHAS Director LeeAnne Cornyn, Ohio Lottery Commission Director Michelle Gillcrist, and Ohio Casino Control Commission Executive Director Matthew T. Schuler overviewing policy, regulation, issues and trends, and collaborative efforts in addressing problem and responsible gambling efforts across the state. View a proclamation from Ohio Governor Mike DeWine designating March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month in Ohio.

The Healthy Policy Institute of Ohio (HPIO) has released a new data snapshot highlighting suicide in Ohio. The new resource includes visualizations on suicide prevalence and trends in Ohio, geographic differences in suicide rates and changes in mental health challenges among Ohio high school students. It also includes a list of resources to improve suicide prevention in Ohio. HPIO noted that five people die by suicide every day. These preventable deaths have a tremendous impact on Ohio families and communities. With the rate of suicide climbing over the past decade, both in Ohio and nationally, there are evidence-informed strategies that both public- and private-sector leaders can implement to address the issue.

The Ohio Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Prevention and Promotion is seeking applicants for its Facilitation Methods Learning Collaborative for Ohio Prevention Professionals. Apply by 5:00 p.m. on Feb. 23 at to participate in this eight-month professional development opportunity. Participants will strengthen skills in facilitation, innovation, teamwork, and collective action in a learning collaborative experience designed for prevention professionals. The experience begins with in-person on March 12-13 in Dublin, continues with a series of six monthly virtual sessions, and ends in-person in October. 

Ohio Recovery Housing announced two upcoming trainings. Click the links below for more information and to register. Questions? Please email info@ohiorecoveryhousing.org.  

Feb. 29 | Outcomes Tool Training
March 6 | Introduction to Recovery Housing

The School-Based Center of Excellence for Prevention & Early Intervention will host a Bouncing Back from Drama and Trauma virtual training on March 13 at 2:00 p.m. Participants will explore the 10 components of resilience, outlining ways in which youth at-risk can derive benefit from them. Attendees will also learn about barriers to resilience and formulate a plan to support the young adults we serve in developing the habits, attitudes, and skill sets required to become resilient teenagers. 

Star Behavioral Health Providers (SBHP) has announced two upcoming Tier One trainings. These trainings provide an introduction to military culture, information about the deployment cycle and the effect of the deployment cycle on service members and their families. See below for dates, location, and more information.

SBHP is a collaborative initiative of the Ohio National Guard, Ohio Department of Veterans Services, OhioMHAS, The Ohio State University, American Red Cross, OhioCares, the Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University and the Center for Deployment Psychology.

April 23 | Tier 1 — Zanesville | More Information
May 17 | Tier 1 — Findlay | More Information

Save these dates! Ohio Peer Recovery Organizations (OhioPRO) announced that it will host the 2024 Peer Recovery Summit on July 29-30 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.