To help educate Ohioans about what to expect when they or a loved one contacts the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, a new series of videos has been posted to the 988 Ohio web page featuring some of the trained crisis specialists who work in Ohio’s 988 call centers. In the videos, the specialists share how they help Ohioans who may be in crisis by being “that listening ear to provide support and to validate.”

The videos are available to be viewed, downloaded, and shared by stakeholders. Ohioans can also access the 988 Ohio Toolkit, which is continually updated with downloadable fact sheets, posters, logos, and social media shareables, and the OHIO988 Materials Generator, which allows anyone throughout the state to design free, personalized 988 materials that can be shared within their communities.

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline launched in Ohio and across the nation on July 16, 2022. Ohioans who are experiencing a mental health or addiction crisis, and their family members, are able to call or text 988, or chat 988Lifeline.org to reach a trained call specialist who can offer help and support. All calls, texts, and chats to 988 are free and confidential, and 988 is available 24/7. Through November 2024, Ohio’s 19 call centers have been a lifeline to nearly 440,000 Ohioans.

Learn more about Ohio’s suicide prevention efforts by visiting 988.ohio.gov.

"I've had my own issues with mental health and addiction," said Bernard, an Athens native who underwent outpatient therapy at the beginning of his own recovery journey at Hopewell Health Centers on the ABH campus in 2002. "This has been a way to give back and pay it forward."

The shoes, all name-brand like HOKA, Saucony, and Brooks, typically sell for close to $150. Many patients don’t have the financial means to afford new shoes, let alone a pair of elite running shoes that can provide comfort, stability, and support. Patients can request a pair through the hospital's social workers who coordinate with the hospital's police department to pick up and deliver the shoes.

“A lot of us take comfort for granted," said ABH Police Chief Derek Barbee, who said he picks up anywhere from five to 20 pairs of shoes each month. “For the patients, comfort is a luxury. It is a crucial role in their recovery. When they can leave their units, maybe to go an appointment outside our facility, and be able to walk comfortably, it gives them dignity that they may never have had before.” 

The Ohio Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Collaborative has announced that its Teen Mental Health First Aid (Teen MHFA) Pilot Project has exceeded expectations by training 2,373 high school students in mental health first aid, surpassing their initial target of 1,800 students. The program, implemented across five high schools in the Greater Cincinnati region, has demonstrated remarkable success with more than 90% of participants reporting increased confidence in supporting peers with mental health challenges. Student feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with one participant noting, "I feel like this should be a mandatory course for all teens." Faculty members have observed significant improvements in students' emotional literacy and communication skills, enabling better articulation of mental health experiences.

As part of the broader Mental Health First Aid program that has certified more than four million individuals nationwide, the MHFA Collaborative remains committed to expanding these vital training programs for both adolescents and adults. Grant funding for Teen MHFA is available for qualified schools in the Greater Cincinnati area for fall 2025. For more information about project outcomes or if your school is interested in hosting Teen MHFA, visit Teen MHFA - Mental Health First Aid Ohio or email mhfirstaidoh@gmail.com. 

The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Ohio (NAMI Ohio) is pleased to announce the appointment of Danielle N. Smart, MSW, LSW, as the new Clinical Director. Smart has been an integral part of NAMI Ohio since 2022, serving as the Client Navigator. In her new role, she will continue her dedication to improving access to mental health services across Ohio. 

Smart holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Social Work degree from The Ohio State University. Over the course of her career, she has worked with diverse populations, including pregnant people considering adoption, adults living with severe and persistent mental illness, and individuals living with HIV. Her experience spans across various social work fields in central Ohio, where she has consistently worked to build bridges between individuals and the services they need. 

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration recently announced the release of the 2024 edition of Drugs of Abuse, A DEA Resource Guide, which is designed to be a reliable resource on the most commonly used and misused drugs in the U.S. The guide provides important science-based information about the harms and consequences of drug use, describing a drug’s effects on the body and mind, overdose potential, origin, legal status, and other key factors. In addition, the guide outlines U.S. drug regulation, including drug scheduling and chemical controls. The 2024 edition updates the 2022 Drugs of Abuse publication with the most current information on new and emerging trends in drug misuse and abuse, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, marijuana concentrates, vaping, stimulant drugs, and fake pills.  

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has launched a new web-based resource called Native Communities - Alcohol Intervention Review, or NativeAIR. NativeAIR helps American Indian/Alaska Native and other Indigenous communities identify and select evidence-based interventions to prevent and address alcohol-related problems. Developed by NIAAA in partnership with scientific experts having extensive experience conducting alcohol research with Native communities, NativeAIR evaluates nearly 40 alcohol-related interventions involving Native populations from published, peer-reviewed research. NativeAIR provides research-based information to help Tribal and community leaders, educators, health professionals, and others with their efforts to reduce the adverse impact of alcohol in their communities.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs (IEA) will host a a webinar on Jan. 10 from 2:30-3:00 p.m. to highlight the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) work in observation of Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month. This observance, launched this month, aims to support individuals seeking or considering treatment for substance use, professionals working in the field, and family members and loved ones of those affected. During the webinar, Yngvild K. Olsen, M.D., M.P.H., SAMHSA's Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, will:

• Discuss the significance of Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month;
• Highlight valuable resources available, including digital toolkits; and
• Provide an overview of planned events throughout the month.

The Ohio Psychiatric Physicians Association is hosting a 2025 Coding & Documentation for Psychiatry and SUD (including Evaluation & Management) workshop on Jan. 14 from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. This workshop is designed for new and experienced billing and coding personnel, psychiatrists, counselors, and others in the behavioral health field. Changes to coding, guidelines, and documentation requirements often change on an annual basis. By participating in this workshop, attendees will be prepared to select appropriate billing codes for psychiatric and substance use disorder services, including evaluation and management (E/M) codes for physician services. Click HERE for more information. 

As part of its ongoing Impact Academy webinar series, the OneOhio Recovery Foundation will host a free, 90-minute Grant Writing Workshop on Jan. 16 at 10:00 a.m. The workshop is designed to help Ohio-based organizations identify and apply for available grant funding. Featured topics include: general feedback and observations from OneOhio’s 2024 regional grant cycle, grant writing best practices, and identifying additional funding opportunities at the federal, state, and local levels. The intended audience for this workshop includes past and future OneOhio grant applicants and related stakeholders, such as nonprofit organizations, behavioral and/or mental health associations, government entities, service providers, etc. Questions? Email Info@OneOhioFoundation.com. 

The Great Lakes Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) is hosting a Reviving Youth Survey Participation: Strategies for Boosting Response Rates webinar on Jan. 30 from 1:30-3:00 p.m. ET. This session will identify the purpose of student surveys and existing barriers, discuss the importance of communication and partnerships, and explain barriers and potential solutions to low participation rates.

Campus Drug Prevention is hosting a Considering Culture in Preventing Drug Use Among College Students webinar and live discussion on Feb. 5 from 10:30 a.m.-noon. Join Rich Lucey from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Dr. Allison Smith from the Louisiana Board of Regents for a conversation surrounding strategies for including culture in campus-based efforts, and learn about statewide initiatives supporting HBCUs in substance misuse prevention on their campuses.

Save the date! The Ohio Children's Alliance will host its 49th Annual Spring Conference on March 31-April 1 at Cherry Valley Hotel in Newark. The conference is expected to draw more than 800 leaders and professionals from the child/youth-serving behavioral health and social service sectors. Featured speakers include celebrated authors Dan Heath and Kevin Carroll. The full agenda and list of presenters will be available soon. Early registration opens in mid-February. For more information, email admin@ohiochildrensalliance.org.