Ohio Adversity and Resilience (SOAR) Studies, the first-of-its-kind, multi-generational research initiative, funded by OhioMHAS through Gov. Mike DeWine’s Action for Resiliency Network and led by clinicians at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine, will undertake a comprehensive research effort to understand the root causes of mental health problems like suicide and deaths related to drug and alcohol use at the biological, psychological, and social levels. This effort will study residents of all 88 Ohio counties at a variety of locations, including several participating Ohio universities and other stationary sites, and five mobile locations.

SOAR will take bold steps to understand risk factors (the root causes leading to mental illness and substance use disorders) and resilience factors (the ability to adapt and grow in the face of adversity) by implementing a two-prong research approach:

• Focusing on breadth, the SOAR Wellness Discovery Survey will engage as many as 15,000 people across all 88 Ohio counties. Researchers want to uncover how strengths and skills may be related to overcoming adversity. Those strengths will inform researchers about which factors to focus on to develop new treatments. This portion is underway with more than 300,000 postcards mailed out to residents statewide.
• Focusing on depth, the SOAR Brain Health Study is actively recruiting 3,600 Ohioans in family groups to examine the biological, psychological, and social factors that help explain that relationship, such as who does well with adversity, who does not, and why. Those discoveries will help researchers develop programs and services to promote a mentally resilient community.

As part of the SOAR Brain Health Study, a mobile MRI unit is now in Ohio to allow study participants to stay closer to home. The mobile MRI is currently in Ontario and will be moving to Jackson in a few weeks. There will be additional permanent locations around the state, and announcements will be made as those come online. Ohioans who are interested in learning more about the SOAR Studies can receive additional information and ask questions by contacting SOARStudies@osumc.edu.

The Health Policy Institute of Ohio (HPIO) has released the sixth edition of its Health Value Dashboard. The Dashboard is a tool to track Ohio’s progress toward health value — a composite measure of performance on population health outcomes and healthcare spending. The Dashboard includes more than 100 data metrics on population health, healthcare spending and five additional areas that contribute to health value, plus profiles of groups of Ohioans who face discrimination and obstacles to health and well-being.

The Dashboard is designed for policymakers and other public- and private-sector leaders to examine Ohio’s performance relative to other states, track change over time and identify and explore health disparities and inequities in Ohio. 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a new toolkit to help promote May as National Mental Health Awareness Month. This year, SAMHSA is highlighting the importance of mental health at any stage in life. Throughout the month, SAMHSA will share resources to promote mental well-being in various populations including children and youth, older adults, parents, minority groups, and LGBTQIA+ communities. The toolkit includes: key messages and weekly themes; social media shareables; hashtags and best practices; digital stickers; email signatures; and virtual meeting backgrounds. 

Learn more about what SAMHSA is doing through May, help spread the word, and join the conversation online using the hashtag #MHAM2024. 

RecoveryOhio and OhioMHAS are teaming up to host a virtual enCompass training on April 23 from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Created by Addiction Policy Forum, enCompass is a comprehensive training designed to increase knowledge about addiction. Like CPR, the training program helps to build the skills necessary to support and respond to someone who needs help. The training will also help participants navigate the resources available in their own community.

Participants will learn:

• The Science of Addiction 
• The Signs and Symptoms of Addiction 
• Evidence-based Treatment Options 
• Medications to Treat Addiction 
• Engagement strategies 

All are welcome to attend. Participants receive a certificate at the completion of the training. (Note: This training was previously scheduled for in-person in Cleveland.) 

The Problem Gambling Network of Ohio (PGNO) will host its final property tour on April 23 with a visit to United Way of Greater Cleveland, manager of the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline. This site visit will include an overview of the internal software used to collect and share resources, training provided to navigators taking calls from the community, information on the Warm Transfer process, and monthly call data collection. The visit will also include a demo helpline call and a walkthrough of the public-facing resource website gamblinghelpohio.org. Space is limited. To register, visit PGNOhio.org/events.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services recently announced that Ohioans ages 16-28 can begin registering for the OhioMeansJobs.com "Gen Z" Virtual Career Fair, which will be held on May 3. Registering before the event will allow employers to view resumes in advance and possibly schedule a time to chat the day of the event. 

The career fair will take place from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. during In-Demand Jobs Week, a statewide celebration of the jobs, industries, and skills that are in demand in Ohio.

Here’s how to participate:

Job Seeker Registration: Visit go.omj.ohio.gov/may3-genz-virtual-career-fair and click “Register Now.” Attendees can choose the part of the state they’d like to work in and connect with employers in that area.

Employer Registration: Email EmploymentServices@jfs.ohio.gov or contact the workforce specialist in your area. To find your local workforce specialist, click here.

Ohioans looking for work can visit OhioMeansJobs.com or their local OhioMeansJobs Center for a variety of free employment services. On either the website or at a center, they can find and apply for job openings, take skill and career interest assessments, create or improve their resumes, practice interviewing, find other career fairs and hiring events, and more.

Young job seekers in Ohio also may be eligible for the Comprehensive Case Management and Employment Program (CCMEP). CCMEP is Ohio’s employment program for young adults. It can provide career coaching, job placement, tuition assistance, mentoring, financial assistance, transportation help, and many other resources for those eligible. For more information, visit jfs.ohio.gov/ccmep.

Multiethnic Advocates for Cultural Competence (MACC, Inc.) will host its 2024 Cultural Competence Conference on May 22 from 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at The Ohio State University Fawcett Center. This year's theme is "Transforming Care, Transforming Lives." The Ohio Commission on Minority Health has provided funding for a limited number of scholarships for current students, recent graduates, and first-year practitioners. A Conference Exhibitor Package has also been added to the updated 2024 Conference Sponsorship Guide. Click the button below to view the conference agenda and to register. 

Prevention Action Alliance, in partnership with OhioMHAS, will host the 2024 Ohio Prevention Conference on Aug. 19-20 at the Hyatt Regency in Columbus. Conference organizers are currently seeking presentation proposals. Presentations should relate to the theme "Prevention is More" and apply to the target audience for this conference, including, but not limited to public and private providers and administrators of behavioral health entities, health departments, educators, social workers, and prevention specialists. Learning sessions will be 75 minutes in length. Successful submissions will be informed by theory, research, or practice, and all submissions should reflect innovation and an understanding of the social determinants of health. The deadline to submit a workshop proposal is 5:00 p.m. on May 17. 

Save the date! HPIO has announced that it will host its inaugural statewide Health Policy Summit in-person on Oct. 3 in Columbus. The Summit builds on HPIO’s mission to advance evidence-informed policies that improve health, achieve equity, and lead to sustainable healthcare spending in Ohio. The theme this year is “Partnering to Improve Health, Well-Being and Economic Vitality.”

HPIO invites submissions for breakout sessions, which will be focused on behavioral health promotion and prevention, population health equity, and healthcare systems and spending. Proposals will be prioritized based on alignment with HPIO’s mission and the Summit themes, topic relevance, and policy implications. No submissions for virtual presentations will be accepted. Submissions are due May 15 at 11:59 p.m. 

Registration information will be available in the coming months. Questions? Email Alana Clark-Kirk at aclarkkirk@hpio.net.