On Thursday, state mental health leaders joined forces with local advocates and officials in Mahoning County to host a Community Conversation on Suicide Prevention. The town hall-style event brought area residents together for a frank discussion around the steady rise in suicide deaths in the county. Together, staff from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) and the Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board examined warning signs, talked about ways to reduce stigma, and how to help those experiencing a mental health crisis. They also shared vital resources, and brainstormed ideas to inform a localized suicide prevention action plan. The evening featured also featured panel discussions, resource tables, and refreshments. 

Preventing suicide deaths and making services and supports more visible, accessible, and effective remain top priorities for Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. Thursday's town hall is another example of how the state is committed to supporting local communities in their efforts to help Ohioans get well, be well, and stay well. 

“Under Governor DeWine’s leadership, Ohio is committed to prioritizing access to community mental health services and supports,” said OhioMHAS Director LeeAnne Cornyn. “Help is available; you are never alone. This community conversation is an important step toward stemming the tide of suicide deaths and connecting Ohioans to vital services and supports before it’s too late.”

In her remarks, Director Cornyn (pictured at right with Mahoning MHRS Board Executive Director Duane Piccirrilli) thanked county officials for recognizing the importance of prioritizing suicide prevention, and noted the strong leadership and collaboration provided by the county board as it relates to addressing crisis services and helping to build out a community system which was promised decades ago, but never fully built. 

Suicides in Mahoning County increased from 41 in 2021 to 44 in 2022, then to 53 last year, according to the latest data available from the Ohio Department of Health. This year, the county is on pace to set a new high.

"Over the past several years the number of people taking their own lives has increased at an alarming rate,” said MHRB Executive Director Duane Piccirilli. “Our community reached out to our state partner to help us address this issue and come up with a plan of action. We are excited for the support of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.”

As part of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s pledge to improve Ohio’s ability to respond when a young person is experiencing a mental health emergency, OhioMHAS is taking the next step to expand a program doing this crucial work. Today, OhioMHAS announced the publication of a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking applicants to establish a contract as a regional provider of Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS).

MRSS is a rapid mobile response and stabilization service for people under the age of 21 who are experiencing significant behavioral or emotional distress and their families. Through this RFP, OhioMHAS is seeking to make the service available in all 88 counties across the state.

OhioMHAS is seeking to establish contracts with providers in 18 identified regions, with the aim of broadening the service’s coverage to include the full state. OhioMHAS will award up to $12 million to eligible providers to provide MRSS coverage.

This week, the Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board spotlighted youth mental health at the Cultivating Resilience Summit 2.0 held July 30-31 at the Sinclair Conference Center in Dayton. The Summit was expanded to two days this year to focus on how communities and youth-serving providers can support young people who are managing trauma as the result of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). The Summit also highlighted suicide prevention strategies tailored for youth. Nearly 150 professionals — including prevention specialists, school counselors, and others engaged with youth services — were in attendance. 

OhioMHAS Chief Advisor Tia Marcel Moretti (pictured above and at right with Montgomery ADAMHS Executive Director Helen Jones-Kelley) delivered opening remarks. She shared how neighbors, teachers, and coaches supported her during her teen years to help her build resilience and find success. She also offered specific ways the can provide support to decrease the likelihood of mental health challenges and self-harm.

The Cultivating Resilience Summit 2.0 is the second year of the conference hosted by Montgomery County ADAMHS, with funding provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, SAMHSA, the CDC, and OhioMHAS.

Returning to school can be exciting and challenging for children and teens. During this season, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) focuses on the importance of children’s mental health and early diagnosis and treatment.

Share these resources on coping strategies and guidance for seeking help during this stressful time. NIMH also offers brochures and fact sheets on mental disorders and related topics for children and adolescents free of charge. Brochures and fact sheets are also in digital formats and available in English and Spanish.

Free “how to” practice guides and presentations are now available from the Ohio HEALing Communities Study, a federally funded effort to address opioid overdose deaths. The HEALing Communities Study (HCS) was a research study in four states heavily impacted by opioid overdose deaths (Ohio, New York, Kentucky, and Massachusetts).

HCS aimed to decrease opioid overdose deaths through the implementation of evidence-based practices to increase overdose education, naloxone distribution, and access to medications for opioid use disorder. HCS has resources available for download including how-to guides for implementing strategies, scientific article one-page summaries, and success stories from communities involved in the study intervention.

HCS Ohio team members are also available to meet with interested groups to present information and findings from the study, share key lessons learned and guidelines for implementation, and provide connections to agencies and communities involved in HCS. Click HERE to learn more and view available resources. To schedule a dissemination presentation for your agency, organization, or community group, email HEALingCommunities@osu.edu.

The Opioid Response Network and the Northern Ohio Recovery Association (NORA) are teaming up to host a free Business of Recovery Summit on Aug. 15-16 at NORA's Main Office in Cleveland.

The Summit aims to bring together community leaders interested in developing programs that support Peer Recovery Support Services. After completion, free technical assistance will be available to business leaders. For more information, email Anita Bradley at abradley@norainc.org.

Peg's Foundation, through its Clear Pathways Initiative, will host a Lunch & Learn webinar, Constructing Crisis Care: Lessons from the Development of a Crisis Receiving Center, on Aug. 27 from noon-1:00 p.m. Leaders from the Mental Health, Addiction, and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County will share their experience and insights into the development of a crisis receiving center. This session will provide a guide for communities embarking on similar projects, offering practical strategies and lessons learned. Whether you are in the early stages of planning or looking to refine your approach, this webinar will provide you with insights to navigate the complexities of initiating crisis facility capital development and/or infrastructure projects. Questions? Email Aly Feye at afeye@pegsfoundation.org.

On the Front Lines Community Alliance is hosting a Community Catalyst Conference for recovery support professionals on Sept. 6 in Blue Ash. The conference is designed by and for people with lived experience and aims to empower and uplift the voices of all those who have lived experience and are working in the field of recovery. The conference will to provide recovery professionals with comprehensive resources, continuous professional development, and meaningful connections in a nurturing setting, fostering a supportive network for recovery and wellness through peer-led education and conversations. Cost is $30.

Conference organizers are currently seeking workshop proposals. Proposals are due by Aug. 12. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information, email Hannah Schilling at hannah@frontlinescommunity.com.