OhioMHAS NewsNow |988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 2nd Anniversary...State Officials Applaud Opening of East Palestine Resiliency Center...42 CFR Part 2 Webinar Recording...Disability Pride Month...Lorain County Providers Merge, Announce New Name...Upcoming Trainings/Events...In the News

Ohio Department of Behavioral Health sent this bulletin at 07/16/2024 03:00 PM EDT

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

Governor DeWine: Ohio’s 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Has Responded To Nearly 340,000 Contacts in Two Years

Leaders call on communities to continue raising awareness of support network

Two years after its debut, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a proven safety net for thousands of Ohioans each month who face emotional distress or thoughts of suicide.

“988 is saving lives,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “The lifeline is providing free, around-the-clock support to Ohioans in crisis by connecting them with someone to talk to for help at the moment it’s needed most. I am proud of the impact 988 has made in two short years and we fully intend to continue building on that momentum moving forward.”

Since its launch on July 16, 2022, the service has grown steadily. In that time, Ohio’s 19 call centers – the most of any state in the nation – have responded to nearly 340,000 calls, texts, and chats: an average of more than 14,000 contacts each month.

Ohio 988’s average speed-to-answer rate is 25 seconds, compared to 36 seconds nationally, and since its launch, the average amount of calls rolling over to the national 988 network is just 2%, reflecting a workforce capacity that allows the vast majority of calls from Ohioans to be answered in-state, by individuals with knowledge of local resources that can make a difference in a crisis.

Read the Full Media Release

State Officials Applaud Grand Opening of East Palestine Resiliency Center in Columbiana County

Former doctor’s office repurposed into one-stop-shop for mental health services
and supports for residents affected by 2023 Norfolk Southern train derailment

On Monday, OhioMHAS Director LeeAnne Cornyn joined leadership from the Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board (CCMHRSB) and other federal, state, and local officials to celebrate the grand opening of the East Palestine Resiliency Center. The 3,300-square-foot facility provides a centralized location for holistic support and resiliency services for area residents and first responders affected by the 2023 Norfolk Southern train derailment.

“From the very beginning, we’ve said the State of Ohio is committed to supporting the people of East Palestine for as long as they need us, and the opening of this new Resiliency Center is another example of how we’re delivering on that promise,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “The center will offer mental health supports that we know are crucial for people after experiencing a disaster. It will stand as a beacon of hope and strength, providing the tools and resources needed for this community to recover stronger than ever.”

“Today marks an important step in this community’s path to recovery,” said Director Cornyn. “More than 17 months after the derailment, the people of East Palestine are standing tall. This center is symbolic of the incredible resiliency they’ve shown when faced with adversity, and it will undoubtedly strengthen the spirit of this community for years to come.”

The Resiliency Center offers a wide array of free services to those who either lived in the affected Ohio ZIP code areas (44413, 44441, 44445, or 44455), were employed in the village at the time of the derailment, or who served as a first responder involved with disaster response efforts. In addition to mental health and substance use disorder treatment, the center will offer individual, family, and group counseling; support groups; educational sessions; creative and culinary arts therapies; animal therapy; and meditation, yoga, and tai chi, among other services.

“Everybody has their own way to heal, which is why we are so excited about the Resiliency Center,” said CCMHRSB Executive Director Marcy Patton. “Not everyone may want to do talk therapy, but they may find yoga or a chair massage to be really helpful. The center opens up possibilities for different options for dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, or trauma.”

While CCMHRSB will oversee the center, the project is a collaborative effort with many partners. Current partner agencies and programs include: The Counseling Center, Family Recovery Center, Columbiana County OSU Extension Office, East Liverpool City Hospital, the Columbiana County Mobile Crisis Response Team, and numerous independent contractors. Additional partners will be added as programs expand.

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42 CFR Part 2 Final Rule – What You Need to Know Webinar Recording Available

The federal law that protects the confidentiality of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment records recently changed. Stay up to date and informed with “42 CFR Part 2 Final Rule – What You Need to Know,” a recent webinar from the SAMHSA-funded Center of Excellence for Protected Health Information (CoE-PHI).

Viewing this archived webinar will allow you to understand how to:
• Describe the recent changes to 42 CFR Part 2 (also known as “Part 2”).
• Apply recent changes to Part 2 to practical scenarios within case studies.
• Identify how to access resources and technical assistance provided by the CoE-PHI.

Watch Recording

July is Disability Pride Month

July is Disability Pride Month. Disability Pride began as a day of celebration to commemorate when the ADA was signed into law on July 26, 1990. The first official Disability Pride Month was in July 2015 for the 25th anniversary of the ADA. Now, Disability Pride Month is celebrated annually to honor the history, achievements, and experiences of the disability community. Here are five things to know about the Americans with Disabilities Act and the progress in Ohio.

Learn More

Lorain County Agencies Merge, Announce New Name

Two Lorain County providers — The Nord Center and The LCADA Way — announced earlier this year that their respective boards have approved an agreement for the two agencies to merge. Effective July 1, 2024 the merged organization will be under a new name and brand, Riveon Mental Health and Recovery. The move takes place in the context of a historically strong working relationship and shared goals among the two organizations. With the extensive and ever-increasing need for community behavioral healthcare, the unified agency, which will provide both mental health and substance use disorder services, will be better positioned to deliver critical healthcare services and champion key projects which will best serve the community. The total workforce of the combined agency will be approximately 425 staff with an annual budget of approximately $45 million. Creating this single organization will allow for not only improved efficiencies and cost savings but also for enhanced coordination of care, the agencies said in a joint media release.

Upcoming Suicide Prevention Trainings

The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) has announced two upcoming suicide prevention training opportunities. Click the links below for more information and to register. Questions? Email Austin Lucas at austin.lucas@ohiospf.org or call 614.429.1528.

July 24 | Convo CALM (Counseling on Access to Lethal Means)
Aug. 9 | Collaborative Assessment & Management of Suicidality (Columbus)
Oct. 17-18 | Midwest Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Summit

35th Annual UMADAOP Statewide Conference — Sept. 11-12

Registration is now open for the 35th Annual UMADAOP Statewide Conference to be held Sept. 11-12 at Kingwood Gardens in Mansfield. In keeping with the theme, this year's conference will focus on providing tools and solutions to help "Connect, Engage and Empower" Ohio's communities.

Hosted by the Mansfield Urban Minority Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Outreach Program (UMADAOP), the conference brings together alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention professionals, educators, treatment counselors, social workers, mental health professionals, and health professionals.

The conference planning committee is currently accepting workshop proposals. Completed applications are due by July 26. For more information, email Jill Frost at jillkfrost@gmail.com or call 614.585.9473.

Register