Earlier this week, Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) Director LeeAnne Cornyn spoke at the ribbon cutting celebration for Slater Hall, a permanent supportive housing project in Cincinnati. The facility features 62 efficiency units for homeless adults with severe mental illness and substance use disorders.

OhioMHAS contributed $750,000 in capital funding to the project co-developed by Tender Mercies and Over-the-Rhine Community Housing. Tender Mercies will operate the project, which will provide case management and supportive care to residents. Click HERE to read local coverage of the event in The Cincinnati Business Courier. 

Inset Photo (l-r): OhioMHAS Bureau of Capital Planning and Management Chief Curtis Smith, OhioMHAS Director Cornyn, and Tender Mercies Co-Founder Ed Slater (for whom the housing project is named) pose for a photo during the March 12 ribbon cutting.

To ensure the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is accessible for all Ohioans, OhioMHAS has formed partnerships with several other state agencies, including the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD). DODD has created easy-to-comprehend, plain-language resources about 988 that are available to download HERE.

OhioMHAS and DODD were also recently selected by The Link Center to participate in a federally funded policy academy to ensure inclusive 988 Suicide and Crisis Response Lifeline systems for children and adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, a brain injury, or other cognitive disabilities. As part of the academy, The Link Center, with support from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), will provide cross-systems strategies, technical assistance, and peer learning opportunities.

To learn more about 988 and to access a toolkit that is continually updated with downloadable fact sheets, posters, logos, and social media shareables, visit 988.ohio.gov.

Since the beginning of his administration, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has prioritized the health and well-being of Ohioans, making historic and meaningful investments in strengthening Ohio’s behavioral health infrastructure, workforce, and services for citizens of all ages. Ohio’s 2024-2025 State Budget (House Bill 33) continued that commitment, introducing unprecedented funding for mental health research and innovation, workforce training and development, and community-based services and supports, which include new Mental Health Peer Support Services.

The Ohio Departments of Medicaid and Mental Health and Addiction Services are working together to introduce Mental Health Peer Support Services to the state’s Medicaid Behavioral Health benefit package. To advance this effort, the departments invite interested stakeholders to join us March 19, at 2:00 p.m. for a webinar highlighting the state’s new Mental Health Peer Support Service. Peer support is currently available as a Medicaid benefit for those with substance use disorder (SUD) and as a part of several evidenced-based practices. The newly designed peer support service will expand coverage to assist more individuals with mental health needs. 

The meeting information is also available on Ohio Medicaid's Behavioral Health Resources webpage under the Behavioral Health Bulletins link. Questions about the new service or webinar? Email BH-Enroll@medicaid.ohio.gov.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has announced a new White House Challenge to Save Lives from Overdose. The Challenge is a nationwide call-to-action to stakeholders across all sectors to save lives by committing to increase training on and access to lifesaving opioid overdose reversal medications.

To help more Americans save lives, the federal government is encouraging business leaders to commit to take simple measures that work, including training employees on opioid overdose reversal medications, keeping the medications in first aid kits, and distributing the medications to employees and customers so they might save a life at home, work, or in their communities. Organizations may make a commitment and share a story of how their efforts saved a life.

This work builds on SAMHSA’s comprehensive efforts to expand access to naloxone and other opioid overdose reversal medications, including state naloxone saturation plans, naloxone saturation state policy academies, and SAMHSA’s bi-monthly learning collaborative with state and community partners working to get these life-saving medications into communities across the country.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Population Affairs (OPA) celebrates National Adolescent Health Month™ (NAHM™) every May. This annual observance emphasizes the importance of building on young people’s strengths and potential, encouraging meaningful youth engagement in adolescent health activities, and highlighting key topics in adolescent health. Each week during NAHM, OPA will share information and resources to help you engage with the many facets of adolescent health.

This year, NAHM will focus on Take Action for Adolescents – A Call to Action for Adolescent Health and Well-Being. Take Action for Adolescents advances the vision that all adolescents in the U.S. have the safety, support, and resources to thrive, be healthy, and have equitable opportunities to realize their full potential. It outlines eight goals designed to inspire individuals and organizations to develop innovative approaches that help young people thrive. Each goal has a set of initial action steps intended to spur action.

The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation has announced several upcoming trainings. Click the links below for more information, location, and registration information. Questions? Email austin.lucas@ohiospf.org. 

April 4 | Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) - Ashtabula
May 24 | Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk (AMSR) - Ashtabula
June 26-28 | CBT Training for Suicide Prevention (CBT-SP) - Cincinnati

The Problem Gambling Network of Ohio (PGNO) invites clinicians interested in becoming qualified to treat gambling disorder to the next Stages Training Series. This three-part series offers a total of 30 hours of gambling-specific education. Throughout the series, participants will learn about Ohio’s gambling services system and how to implement treatment strategies within the communities they serve. This quarter, Stage I will run from April 10-12, Stage II from May 9-10, and Stage III from June 6-7. After completion of this three-part training, individuals and their provider agency will be eligible to receive referral calls from the Ohio Problem Gambling helpline. Click the link above for more information and to register.

Interested in other events such as PGNO's casino and racino property tours or case presentations? Visit https://www.pgnohio.org/events for more information.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Ohio (NAMI Ohio), will host its Annual Statewide Conference on May 3-4 at the Nationwide Hotel and 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. An agenda will be released soon. Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities are still available. Contact katie@namiohio.org for more information.

Mental Health America of Ohio, in partnership with the ADAMH Board of Franklin County, Maryhaven, and Southeast, Inc., recently announced the 3rd Annual Peer Recovery Supporter Community Event and Job Fair to be held on May 22 from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at the Columbus Metropolitan Main Library. All prospective and certified peer recovery supporters, supervisors, employers, and advocates are welcome to attend. If you are an organization interested in securing a table at the event, email Jaskins@mhaohio.org.  

The Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities (OACBHA), in partnership with OhioMHAS, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, and the Ohio Department of Health, will host Ohio's 2024 Mental Health & Addiction Conference: Building the System of Care on June 3-4 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Columbus. The conference will focus on efforts related to mental health, opiate and other addiction prevention, education, intervention, treatment, recovery, family supports, community engagement, and highlight Governor Mike DeWine’s investment in the mental health and well-being of Ohioans.

Sponsor and Exhibitor registration is now live. Learn more about the opportunities to sponsor the conference or participate as an exhibitor by clicking HERE. Attendee registration will be available soon. 

The Ohio Coaching and Mentoring Network (OCAM) will host its 2024 annual conference on Aug. 1-2 at the Marriott Columbus – Northwest in Dublin. This year's theme is “Amplify & Grow Our Individual Strengths.” The conference will feature 17 workshops, networking opportunities, one-on-one mentoring, and more. Workshops will focus on leadership enhancement, communication strategies, utilizing natural talents, emotional intelligence, and finding funding opportunities. Cost is $150. Scholarships are available. Registration closes July 22. Questions? Email Sarah Cox at scox@prevention-first.org.