The 2024 Ohio State Fair is in full swing. On Friday, staff from Governor Mike DeWine's RecoveryOhio initiative joined volunteers from the Ohio Departments of Insurance (ODI) and Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) to host the third annual Mental Health Day at the Fair. Staff from all three agencies greeted visitors at the Cardinal Gate and distributed 5,000 drawstring bags filled with resources about mental health, 988, and accessing help in Ohio. 

Visitors were able to learn about the resources offered through RecoveryOhio and programs throughout the state to help people break through mental health challenges and reach their full potential. Ohioans were able access behavioral health resources and information at state agency booths throughout the fairgrounds. The resources, including an interactive 988 Myths vs. Facts quiz, aimed to make prevention, treatment, and recovery supports more visible and accessible to all Ohioans.

The fair runs through Sunday, Aug. 4 and continues to host traditions and family favorites including the famed butter cow and calf sculptures, iconic SkyGlider ride, and Smokey Bear in the beautiful 8-acre Natural Resources Park. Click HERE to view the daily events schedule. 

PICTURED: (Top) RecoveryOhio Director Aimee Shadwick, ODI Director Judy French, and OhioMHAS Director LeeAnne Cornyn greet visitors and distribute resource bags at the Cardinal Gate entrance. (Inset) 988 Administrator Doug Jackson and 988 Quality Assurance Administrator Abbey Wollschleger check out the interactive 988 Myths vs. Facts quiz at the OhioMHAS booth. 

OhioMHAS and RecoveryOhio have teamed up to release two new toolkits to help communities plan and host events in recognition of Overdose Awareness Day (Aug. 31) and Recovery Month (September).

Overdose Awareness Day — August 31
With a goal of raising awareness, supporting communities in the fight against drug addiction, and remembering loved ones lost to the epidemic, the state will observe “Ohio Overdose Awareness Day” on Aug. 31. The observance was officially sanctioned on June 8, 2021, when Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 30 into law. The all-new Overdose Awareness Day toolkit includes social media graphics and posts, flyers, and digital ads that can be used by local communities and organizations to help promote awareness and local events. Learn more at: mha.ohio.gov/OverdoseAwarenessDay.

Recovery Month — September
RecoveryOhio and OhioMHAS are also pleased to announce the availability of a new toolkit promoting September as National Recovery Month in Ohio. The toolkit includes digital resources and social media shareables. With 1 in 5 Ohioans living with a mental illness or substance use disorder, it's more important than ever to dismantle the stigmas surrounding recovery and foster awareness. Join OhioMHAS and RecoveryOhio in celebrating those in recovery and encouraging others to begin their own journey of recovery. Learn more at: mha.ohio.gov/RecoveryMonth. 

On Monday, OhioMHAS Director LeeAnne Cornyn championed the work of peer supporters and their critical role in our system of care at the Ohio Peer Recovery Organizations’ 2024 Peer Recovery Summit. This year’s theme was "Peer Faces: Celebrating Resiliency." Director Cornyn highlighted the value of peer supporters sharing their knowledge and lived experience with the goal of building resiliency and aiding others on their recovery journey.

As part of the presentation, OhioMHAS Bureau of Recovery Supports Peer Support Lead Sharon Fitzpatrick (pictured at top, third from left) was recognized for her years of service with OhioMHAS and her work as an advocate and voice for those on their recovery journey. Sharon is retiring this week after serving as the Peer Support Lead in the Bureau of Recovery Supports for OhioMHAS for the past 13 years.

Sharon, who herself has been a peer recovery supporter for more than 23 years, provided leadership and oversight during the launch of Ohio's Peer Recovery Certification process and Statewide Advocacy Network Initiative. Her experience includes working with individuals with a lived experience of a mental health and/or substance use disorder, survivors of sexual assault, peer run organizations, county boards, and provider organizations.

"Sharon has a strong passion for recovery. She is committed to helping others transition their lives and story to one of wellness and resiliency," said OhioMHAS Peer and Employment Services Manager Beth Knack. "Sharon is well known and respected in the community as a core peer support leader in Ohio. She always has a warm smile, encouraging words, wisdom, and embodies grace and dignity in all interactions."

OhioMHAS thanks Sharon for her dedicated service to Ohioans and wishes her well in her retirement.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health results, accompanied by two infographics highlighting overall findings as well as findings by race and ethnicity.

The 2023 sample size was 67,679 and used multi-mode collection methods in gathering data from respondents. NSDUH results, as well as the companion briefs, can be found in full at Results from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH).

Conducted by the federal government since 1971, the NSDUH is a primary source of statistical information on self-reported substance use and mental health of the U.S. civilian, noninstitutionalized population age 12 or older. 

The NSDUH measures include:

• Use of illegal drugs, prescription drugs, alcohol, and tobacco,
• Substance use disorder and substance use treatment,
• Major depressive episodes, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and other symptoms of mental illness, mental health care, and
• Recovery from substance misuse and mental health issues.

Mental Health America has released its 10th annual State of Mental Health in America report, which ranks all 50 states and the District of Columbia according to 15 mental health access and prevalence measures. The report provides a snapshot of mental health among youth and adults and tracks changes in the prevalence of mental health conditions. The U.S continues to be in a mental health crisis, MHA said in a statement accompanying the release. The need for care is urgent, but persistent barriers to access prevent many Americans from obtaining treatment. With this report, MHA aims to increase dialogue with, and improve outcomes for, individuals and families with mental health needs. 

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has released a new Risky Drinking Can Put a Chill on Your Summer Fun fact sheet.  

Summer is typically a wonderful season for outdoor activities and spending additional time with family and friends. For some, these activities include drinking beverages containing alcohol. Be smart this summer—think before you drink. Avoiding beverages containing alcohol while piloting a boat, driving a car, exploring the wilderness, and swimming or surfing can also help keep you and your loved ones safe. 

The resource is available in English and Spanish languages.

The International Community Justice Association is hosting its 2024 Research Conference, "60 Years of Doing What Matters: Creating Hope by Opening Doors Through Emerging Research," on Sept. 15-18 in Louisville, Ky. Click HERE to view the conference schedule. Questions? Email info@icjaonline.org.

The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) will host its 3rd Annual Art of Healing Benefit on Sept. 19 at the Exchange at Bridge Park. The annual event showcases creativity and celebrates healing while helping OSPF continue its mission to support mental health and suicide prevention across Ohio. Earlybird tickets are $200. After Aug. 15, tickets are $250.