OhioMHAS NewsNow | COBH Ribbon Cutting Event...OhioMHAS Staff Wear Green, Participate in Wellness Walk...Ohio Chamber of Commerce Hosts Inaugural BH Summit...Updated CDC.GOV Launches...Upcoming Trainings...In the News

Ohio Department of Behavioral Health sent this bulletin at 05/23/2024 04:30 PM EDT

Thursday, May 23, 2024

Governor DeWine Cuts Ribbon on New Central Ohio Behavioral Healthcare Facility

World-Class Psychiatric Hospital Will Offer More Beds and Space
for Patient-Friendly Treatment Options Promoting Recovery

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) Director LeeAnne Cornyn hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday to unveil the all-new Central Ohio Behavioral Healthcare (COBH) hospital in Columbus.

“As we prepare to open the doors to this new hospital, we are also opening the doors to a new era for Ohio’s mental healthcare system,” said Governor DeWine. “This world-class facility offers the space and resources necessary to provide more patient-friendly treatment strategies for individuals facing serious mental health challenges. We believe this new hospital will open more pathways to recovery and enhance our ability to transform lives.”

COBH will replace the Twin Valley Behavioral Healthcare (TVBH) Kosar building next door as the State’s regional psychiatric hospital serving central Ohio. TVBH opened in 1977.

The new COBH hospital contains 208 beds – 30 more than its predecessor. On top of increased patient capacity, the new facility has been designed to meet the needs of today’s behavioral healthcare environment by offering significantly more space.

At over 270,000 square feet, COBH offers nearly 100,000 square feet of additional space. The new hospital includes eight patient units, each with its own intensive care suite. The facility also includes enhanced exercise and relaxation options for patients, featuring three secured courtyards with amenities such as a walking path, shelter, and basketball court.

COBH also contains an indoor gymnasium, a social learning center for patients, art rooms, a meditation room and chapel, and a courtroom area for patients receiving court-mandated treatment.

“With all of these options available to patients to enhance their treatment experience, the new Central Ohio Behavioral Healthcare facility will continue to solidify Ohio’s reputation as a trailblazer and national leader in the behavioral healthcare field, said OhioMHAS Director LeeAnne Cornyn. “Under Governor DeWine’s leadership, the well-being of all citizens – especially those impacted by mental illness and substance use disorders – is a top priority. This modern facility represents the best of current patient care philosophies and truly showcases that our hospitals are the ‘Heart of Hope’ for the patients and families we serve.”

The new facility also offers increased privacy for patients. At the new COBH, 85 percent of patient rooms will be single occupancy, which is often preferred by patients and their families. At the outgoing TVBH Kosar building, all of the patient rooms had multiple beds. Staff and patients will begin moving into COBH in June. Once the move is complete, TVBH’s Kosar building will be demolished and replaced with green space.

Click HERE to view more ribbon cutting photos and HERE to see more photos of the hospital interior.

Read the Governor's Full Media Release

OhioMHAS Employees Participate in Wellness Walk,
Wear Green for Mental Health Awareness Month

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, several dozen OhioMHAS Central Office employees dressed in green and participated in one-mile mental health walk on Thursday afternoon. Research shows that spending as little as 15 minutes each day outside can significantly enhance mental health, reduce stress, and uplift your mood. Learn more.

Ohio Chamber of Commerce Behavioral Health Summit

OhioMHAS Director LeeAnne Cornyn delivered opening remarks at the Ohio Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural Behavioral Health Summit on Tuesday. Director Cornyn highlighted key agency initiatives including, boosting awareness of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, growing Ohio's behavioral health wellness workforce, investing in innovation, and making prevention more accessible.

The event, which was held at the Nationwide Children's Hospital Conference Center in Columbus, brought together members of Ohio's healthcare industry and private-sector employers to discuss shared goals and best practices for behavioral health benefits and challenges in Ohio's workforce.

New CDC.Gov Website is Live

The new CDC.gov is live. The site is a direct result of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) agency-wide effort to modernize and transform digital communication. In the process, they have streamlined their previous web content by more than 65 percent across the agency, updated navigation, and designed a new look and feel.

2024-2025 Sources of Strength Ohio Training Schedule

Sources of Strength Ohio has released a full schedule of trainings for 2024-2025. Registration is open for virtual Elementary Coaches Trainings and virtual Secondary Program Coordinator Trainings. Learn more and register on the SourcesOH events page.

Continuing Education Opportunities for Ohio Peer Supporters

The OhioMHAS Peer Services Team has partnered with state and local organizations to offer continuing education opportunities to Ohio Adult, Family and Youth Peer Supporters and Peer Supporter Supervisors. Click HERE to learn more. These resources will be updated as new opportunities are available.

Innovation in Prevention in Rural Ohio Conference — May 29

Ohio University Chillicothe will host the Innovation in Prevention in Rural Ohio Conference on May 29 from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Join local and state experts as they dive into crucial conversations on suicide prevention, substance abuse, gambling, and sexual abuse prevention, crafting a community of care. The conference is a pivotal gathering designed to unite those who share a common vision of nurturing resilience and ensuring safety among our youth. Social workers, counselors, teachers, prevention specialists, substance abuse counselors, law enforcement, youth serving professionals, community members, and anyone interested in creating a safe and healthy community for Ohio's youth are encouraged to attend. Free Continuing Education Credits will be provided for social workers, prevention specialists, chemical dependency counselors, and teachers. For more information, email saundes3@ohio.edu.

Register

Supporting Kinship Caregivers and Families – May 30

The Ohio Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Prevention and Promotion will host its next Prevention Exchange virtual forum on May 30 from 1:00-2:00 p.m. This discussion will explore the experiences of kinship caregivers, resources available in Ohio, and the opportunity for Ohio’s prevention workforce to provide inclusive services. Questions? Email PreventionCOE@ohio.gov.

Register

2024 First Episode Psychosis Conference — June 5-6

The SAMHSA-funded South Southwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) will host the 2024 First Episode Psychosis (FEP) Virtual Conference on June 5-6. This year's theme, theme, "Pausing with Purpose: Guiding FEP Care with Human Connection," focuses on the crucial role of human connection in effective FEP care. The theme also underscores the importance of fostering genuine relationships among those involved in FEP care, including team members, young people in services, family and other supporters. Those committed to transforming FEP care, including providers, researchers, and persons with lived experience should attend.

More Information and Register

NOVA Crisis Response Central Ohio Regional Training — June 5-7

OhioMHAS is planning regional, introductory-level NOVA Crisis Response Team Trainings. The free trainings will take place between May and October 2024, in each of Ohio’s six regional psychiatric hospital areas (see map). These hands-on, practical trainings, designed by the National Organization for Victim Advocacy (NOVA) will be three days long and geared toward mental health professionals, victim advocates, law enforcement personnel, and others who confront human crisis in their work.

During the trainings, which are funded through SAMHSA’s Bipartisan Safer Communities Act Grant, instructors will explain the impact of trauma on individuals and groups, explore crisis intervention theory, and prepare participants to respond with appropriate psychological intervention. Participants who complete the three-day training will receive a NOVA Certificate and be offered the opportunity to sign up for the Ohio Crisis Response Team (OCRT), a highly qualified, all-volunteer mobilization group that may be deployed to respond to traumatic events in Ohio and other states.

Limited seats are still available for the Central Ohio regional area training scheduled for June 5-7 at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources in Columbus. For more information and to register, please email maryann.sparks@mha.ohio.gov. We are in the process of applying for CEUs. If you have a professional license, please provide that information when you register.

Suicide Prevention in the Black Community Summit — June 20

The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) will host the 2nd Annual Suicide Prevention in the Black Community Summit on June 20 from 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the Conference Center at OCLC in Dublin. The summit theme is "Moving Hope into Action: Faith, Family, and Community," embodying OSPF's mission to initiate change.

The Summit seeks to destigmatize, normalize, and break the silence surrounding mental health issues while striving to strengthen efforts to educate and advocate for mental health wellness for individuals, families, and communities impacted by suicide in the Black community. Registration is free for OSPF members and $30 for non-members. A continuing education application has been submitted for prevention, addiction counseling, mental health counseling, social work, and psychologists. For more information, please email molly.mottram@ohiospf.org.

Register

Taking A Stand Against Sextortion — June 25

Relink.org will present "Taking a Stand Against Sextortion" on June 25 at 2:00 p.m. This webinar will feature Tamia and Timothy Woods, co-founders of the Do It for James Foundation, who lost their only child on Nov. 19, 2022, due to being a victim of sextortion — an invisible evil that the parents did not know about until it was too late. They have now made it their purpose to not only educate adults about this growing crime against our youth but have made it their goal continue to speak with students about this crime and how to fight against it even if they feel as if they have no way out.

Register

NAMIWalks Greater Cleveland & Geauga County — Sept. 14

The NAMI affiliates of Greater Cleveland and Geauga County are hosting NAMIWalks 2024 on Saturday, Sept.14 from 9:00-11:30 a.m. at Cleveland’s Edgewater Park. The event raises awareness and funds for free mental health services throughout our region. Festivities include line dancing, face painting, balloon artist, resource fair, music, refreshments, and a 2.5-mile walk. Questions? Email Lisa Dellafiora at ldellafiora@namicleveland.org. For more information or to register, please visit namiwalks.org/gc.