Hope in Ohio: Summit County Suicide Prevention Community Conversation Planned for April 3
Join OhioMHAS and the County of Summit ADM Board for the Hope in Ohio: Summit County Suicide Prevention Community Conversation, which will place Thursday, April 3 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Cuyahoga Falls Downtown Pavilion.
This event will bring together local leaders, mental health experts, and community members to discuss the impact of suicide in Summit County, share valuable resources, and offer an opportunity for attendees to provide feedback to help shape local suicide prevention strategies.
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Problem Gambling Community Readiness Assessment Grant
Ohio for Responsible Gambling (ORG) and the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio (PGNO), in partnership with PreventionFIRST! are launching the Problem Gambling Community Readiness Assessment Grant. This grant will support local communities in assessing and improving their readiness to address problem gambling from May to December 2025.
Up to five agencies, coalitions, or community organizations will each receive a $15,000 grant to apply the Community Readiness Model to problem gambling efforts. Grant recipients may also be eligible to apply for Year 2 funding to develop a Logic Model and Strategic Plan based on assessment results. The deadline to submit applications is April 15. Selected applicants will be notified by Friday, April 18.
OhioPRO Releases Three Groundbreaking Reports on the State of Peer Recovery Support in Ohio
Ohio Peer Recovery Organizations (OhioPRO) has announced the release of three comprehensive reports that shed light on the critical role of peer recovery support services in Ohio. These reports, informed by OhioPRO’s 2024 Statewide Peer Stakeholder Survey, provide vital insights into the current landscape, challenges, and future opportunities for peer-led recovery services across the state. These reports are part of OhioPRO’s ongoing initiative, “The State of Recovery in Ohio – Peer & Recovery Supports Scan,” which aims to assess and strengthen peer recovery support systems through data-driven research and stakeholder collaboration.
The three reports, Capturing What Works: Investing in Peer Support Data in Ohio, Valuing the Power of Peers: Investing in Ohio’s Peer Workforce, and Funding and Sustaining the Integral Role of Peer Recovery Supporter: Barriers and Opportunities in Ohio, highlight the essential contributions of peer recovery supporters (PRS) and peer-run organizations (PROs) in helping individuals navigate substance use, mental health challenges, and recovery.
Key findings from these reports can be found HERE as well as access to the full versions.
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Research Opportunity for People with Problem Gambling Lived Experience
Ohio University is seeking individuals who have lived experience with gambling problems as consultants on a research project to identify gambling harms and help eliminate barriers to support in rural areas. Those interested in sharing their gambling experiences and collaborating on this project would meet approximately bi-monthly and may have an opportunity for compensation. If you have questions and/or want to apply, please contact Jennifer Grant Weinandy, Ph.D., at jgrantweinandy@ohio.edu or the Thoughts and Experiences of Addiction (TEA) Lab at tealab@ohio.edu.
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SUD COE Adds New Tools for Practitioners
Just Think Twice with DEA
Looking for age-appropriate resources to share with a teen in your life about the dangers of drugs? The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's Just Think Twice website provides teens with the tools to learn about drugs and the dangers of using them:
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Minimize Risk – Maximize Life Facilitator Trainings
Envision Partnerships has announced two upcoming Minimize Risk – Maximize Life facilitator trainings on April 7 and June 23. The trainings will be held at Prevention Action Alliance in Columbus from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Minimize Risk – Maximize Life (MRML) is an evidence-based program authored by Envision Partnerships for adults of all ages to learn about the low-risk drinking guidelines, to help improve personal wellness, and to effectively share these lessons with others. Trained facilitators use a workbook, PowerPoint presentation, and guided discussion to help adults learn how to minimize their risk for alcohol problems while maximizing the quality of their lives. Facilitators will be provided with 6.25 hours of Prevention CEUs, all course materials, a sample of giveaway items for participants, access to the facilitator’s login on the www.LowRiskDrinking.com site, and ongoing technical assistance. Space is limited. Please apply by March 31. Questions? Email Lori Higgins at lhiggins@envisionpartnerships.com or Kristina Latta-Landefeld at klatta@envisionpartnerships.com.
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National Child Abuse Prevention Month Webinar Series
Best Practices in Understanding and Implementing FASD-Informed Care for Individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) — April 16
The Ohio Children's Alliance is hosting a free, virtual Best Practices in Understanding and Implementing FASD-Informed Care for Individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) on April 16 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. The session will be led by Gokce Ergun, Ph.D., a licensed clinical psychologist and former associate professor at the School of Professional Psychology at Wright State University. In this training, participants will define and learn the components of FASD-informed care, identify family-level and systems-level barriers that contribute to individuals not receiving FASD-informed care, learn about current research efforts to increase access to FASD-informed care, and identify resources to increase provision of FASD-informed care that can be used in various organizations.
Ohio Prevention Professionals Association (OPPA) Conference — May 1
Advanced Prevention Practice ECHO, Moving Beyond Cultural Competency to Cultural Humility: Embracing Lived Experience — May 16
The Ohio Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Prevention and Promotion invites Ohio's experienced behavioral health prevention professionals to join its upcoming Advanced Prevention Practice ECHO session, Moving Beyond Cultural Competency to Cultural Humility: Embracing Lived Experience, on May 16. Emphasizing the value of lived experience, this webinar will explore how integrating cultural humility enhances prevention efforts, strengthens community connections, and addresses the diverse needs of individuals and communities. Sessions are interactive and are a great place to share your successes or “workshop” your ideas with subject matter experts and colleagues. CEs for Prevention, Social Work, Health Education, and Nursing will be available.
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Stark County Suicide Prevention Symposium — May 28
Stark County Mental Health & Addiction Recovery (StarkMHAR) will host its first annual Suicide Prevention Symposium, titled The Suicide Prevention Symposium on Empowering Communities to Save Lives, on May 28 from 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. at Kent State Stark’s Conference Center, 6000 Frank Ave. NW, in North Canton. The symposium will be an impactful event designed to equip attendees with critical insights and strategies to prevent suicide and support mental health in attendees’ respective communities. Drawing from lessons learned from a recent suicide cluster in Stark County, the day will provide actionable items communities can do to prevent suicide, discuss transforming the narrative and culture around men's mental health, and reimagining safer suicide care. A unique "Doctors Are In" session will provide participants the opportunity to engage directly with experts and ask questions, making this an invaluable resource for anyone dedicated to suicide prevention and mental health advocacy. Cost is $80. Click HERE to read the StarkMHAR press release.
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Save the Date: Third Annual Suicide Prevention in the Black Community Summit — June 27
Save the Date! The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) has announced that it will host the Third Annual Suicide Prevention in the Black Community Summit on June 27 from 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Quest Conference Center in Columbus. Join OSPF for this solution-driven summit dedicated to youth-focused suicide prevention by equipping youth and young adults, parents and guardians, faith-based and community organizations, educators, community advocates, and mental health professionals with tools to prevent suicide and support Black youth and young adults. The summit will feature inspiring keynote speakers, engaging discussions, workshops, and training on the Ohio Strategic Prevention Framework, a data-driven model designed to create sustainable suicide prevention strategies. Registration information will be available on the OSPF website soon.
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In the News...
Transitional home opens in Trumbull County to support women with SUD Mahoning Matters, March 28, 2025
Art exhibit at Franklin County Coroner's Office aims to break addiction stigma WSYX-TV, March 27, 2025
Scott Osiecki leaving Cuyahoga ADAMHS Board in September WSYX-TV, March 27, 2025
Commissioners establish committee to address overdoses, suicides Geauga County Maple Leaf, March 27, 2025
Activate Allen County says "Let's Chat" about mental health and the workplace WLIO-TV, March 27, 2025
What happens to your brain when you retire? The New York Times, March 26, 2025
Army veteran forms support group to help those struggling with mental health issues Lisbon Morning Journal, March 26, 2025
Brown County Health Department recognized for success in mobile unit initiative The Ripley Bee, March 26, 2025
Art therapy program helps people manage their mental illness SpectrumNews1, March 25, 2025
National study finds one in four adults misusing prescription drugs Medical Xpress, March 25, 2025
Middletown teachers get mental health training to better serve students WCPO-TV, March 25, 2025
Messages of hope coming to Cincinnati bridges Spectrum News 1, March 25, 2025
Local groups unite to tackle suicide stigma, boost mental health WTOV-TV, March 24, 2025
Xenia's first drug court graduate embraced 'rigorous path to rehabilitation' Dayton Daily News, March 24, 2025
UT panel discusses youth mental health crisis Toledo Blade, March 24, 2025
'World's Strongest Firefighter' starts nonprofit to support MH of first responders, veterans Toledo Blade, March 23, 2025
Column: Hope is Marion's economy — city's real story is its response to adversity Marion Star, March 23, 2025
Sports betting growing among teens addiction experts say Canton Repository, March 22, 2025
Recovery Resources: Providing Hope and Help for Gambling Addiction WOIO-TV, March 21, 2025
MHARS Board of Lorain County supports free suicide prevention training Lorain Morning Journal, March 21, 2025
Peer support training provided for emergency first responders Salem News, March 21, 2025
Giving recovery a home Warren Tribune-Chronicle, March 21, 2025
Alena Fox found her calling as a mental health advocate in Crawford County Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum, March 21, 2025
Coleman Health Services one of many in Jefferson County mental health care network Steubenville Herald-Star, March 21, 2025
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