With warmer temperatures on the horizon, the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) is pleased to announce the release of the 2025 Heat-Related Illness brochure. Individuals taking psychiatric medication can be at an increased risk for heat-related illness. Learn more about the medications that can impair the heat response and steps you can take to prevent heat-related illness HERE. Click HERE to read a memo from OhioMHAS Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Kennedy.

OhioMHAS is continuing its partnership with Health Impact Ohio (HIO) to support graduates of the Great Minds Fellowship (GMF) program and recipients of the GMF Workforce Commitment Incentive. Eligible individuals will be able to apply for recruitment and retention bonuses totaling $10,000.

The Great Minds Fellowship program and the GMF Workforce Commitment Incentive were designed to increase the number of Ohioans entering behavioral health professions, offering an important pathway for graduates to gain practical experience and join OhioMHAS-certified community behavioral health centers (CBHCs). Health Impact Ohio continues to facilitate the application process and ensures that qualified individuals receive their recruitment and retention bonuses.

Under this initiative, eligible Great Minds Fellowship program graduates and GMF Workforce Commitment Incentive recipients will receive:

• A $5,000 sign-on bonus upon accepting a position at an OhioMHAS-licensed CBHC
• An additional $5,000 bonus after completing one year of employment at a CBHC

Click HERE for more information about the program and instructions on how to apply.

Last week, Alvis, Inc. honored 10 recent graduates of its Amethyst program — a long-term, trauma-informed, holistic treatment program for women seeking to recover from substance use and mental health disorders. Clients are in the program for 12-24 months, depending on their assessed needs, and graduate when they have reached their treatment goals.

OhioMHAS Chief of Staff John Annarino (pictured) and State Sen. Michele Reynolds (R-Canal Winchester) joined the celebration and to congratulate the graduates. In his remarks, Annarino told the graduates that success stories like theirs are the reason he returned to serve in state government. Franklin County Municipal Court Judge Jodi Thomas, who presides over CATCH Court, also sent a special video message to the graduates. 

The Amethyst program has a strong family component. Children up to age 18 can live with their mothers while the mother is in treatment. In addition to behavioral health treatment, moms are able to learn new parenting skills, have one-on-one parenting coaching and more – all designed to reconnect families and build trust. Their children are able to participate in after-school programs and summer camp, where they receive educational support, prevention services, and clinical counseling according to assessed needs. 

The Crossroads Center in Hamilton County recently celebrated a major milestone as it broke ground on a new state-of-the-art facility supporting individuals with mental health and substance use challenges. The ceremony took place May 21 at the facility’s future location, 2114 Reading Road. The nearly 30,000-square-foot facility will allow the Center to expand vital programs and create more opportunities for healing, growth, and renewed purpose.

“The groundbreaking marks more than the beginning of construction — it marks a new chapter of hope for our community," said JB Boothe, Crossroads president and CEO. "This facility will serve as a beacon for those facing mental health and substance use challenges, providing compassionate care, dignity, and support." 

Key features will include:

• Comprehensive outpatient and intensive outpatient programs
• Trauma-informed residential care
• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
• Specialized spaces for group therapies and peer support

The project is funded through a combination of public grants, private philanthropy, and community partnerships. OhioMHAS contributed nearly $2 million toward the project, according to Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Kennedy (pictured at right), who provided brief remarks at the ceremony. Other speakers included Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval, Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus, and Hamilton County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board Executive Director LaNora Godfrey, among others. 

Marlaina Tucci, OhioMHAS NE Regional Employment Trainer and Consultant, (pictured) was recently awarded the 2025 International IPS Advocate with Lived Experience Award. This award is given to a family leader or person with lived experience of mental illness who has been active in demonstrating outstanding advocacy, involvement in educational activities, and/or leadership regarding Individual Placement and Support (IPS).

According to her nomination letter: “If you can see her, you can be her. Marlaina is a bright light showing recovery is possible, probable, and is beautiful. Marlaina exemplifies that idea that work is recovery and that anyone, if given the opportunity, can thrive in their life. Marlaina leads with integrity and passion, sharing her lived experience and impact of work on her life. Through her work at OhioMHAS, she has improved access for individuals with mental health and substance use to employment supports and work incentives. She provides expectational services in mentoring and providing technical assistance on work incentives and employment supports to a variety of stakeholders including peer supporters, employment specialists, and team leaders. Marlaina is truly a leader in Ohio for employment, she has a passion to serve and ensure that everyone has all the tools necessary to be successful."

In recognition of May as Mental Health Awareness Month, Appalachian Behavioral Healthcare (ABH) recently hosted several wellness activities for patients and staff, including the hospital's third annual Recovery Art Show. Thirty-two patients and five staff submitted artwork and other creative projects, such as origami, quilts, and stuffed toys for display. All of the items featured in the art show were handmade. 

ABH’s theme for Mental Health Awareness Month was “Hope Grows Here.” The ABH Human Resources Department also hosted an event for staff called “Palette of Hope” where they were invited to paint an 8”x10” canvas as a self-care activity. Staff were encouraged to include their creations in the art show.

June is National PTSD Awareness Month. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a real disorder that develops when a person has experienced or witnessed a scary, shocking, terrifying, or dangerous event. These stressful or traumatic events usually involve a situation where someone’s life has been threatened or severe injury has occurred. Children and adults with PTSD may feel anxious or stressed even when they are not in present danger. According to the National Center for PTSD about six percent of the population will have PTSD at some point in their lives and about 12 million adults in the U.S. have PTSD during a given year. Learn more about PTSD and access treatment resources at ptsd.va.gov. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health is recruiting new members for its 2025 Youth Advisory Panel (YAP). The YAP brings together teens, ages 14-17, from across the country to share their perspectives on social and digital media use, mental health, and youth well-being. Panelists will guide the Center's work by sharing their lived experiences, giving feedback on new resources, and participating in projects that promote healthier social media environments. The deadline to apply is June 13. If you have any questions or know teens who would be a great fit and want to recommend them directly, send an email to socialmedia@aap.org.

A new study released ahead of the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology conference reveals that alcohol-related cancer deaths in the U.S. have doubled from 1990 to 2021, rising from 11,896 to 23,207. Using data from the Global Burden of Disease database, researchers found that alcohol remains a major — and preventable — contributor to cancer mortality, especially among men and those over 55. Despite being a known carcinogen linked to at least seven cancers, public awareness remains low. Experts stress the need for targeted prevention and education campaigns, as alcohol use joins smoking, obesity, and inactivity as key modifiable cancer risk factors. 

The Appalachian Children Coalition is partnering with the School-Based Center of Excellence at Miami University and Presidential Consultants to offer a series of free preventing substance misuse among Appalachian youth trainings in June. Substance misuse among Appalachian youth is a critical issue driven by high poverty rates, limited access to mental health and behavioral healthcare, and generational cycles of substance use. Data from the Ohio Healthy Youth Environments Survey (OHYES!) reveals that Appalachian youth are 24% more likely to experience substance misuse compared to their peers statewide. While these figures underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions, the region’s close-knit communities and cultural strengths offer valuable opportunities to build resilience. These workshops provide practical strategies to address these challenges, strengthen protective factors, and implement evidence-based prevention approaches. Through culturally sensitive tools, participants will learn to create supportive environments that help Appalachian youth overcome barriers and thrive. Trainings will be held at 10:00 a.m. on June 3, June 10, June 12, and June 17. 

PreventionFIRST!, with support from OhioMHAS, will host two behavioral health prevention trainings for faith leaders this month. Participants will learn how faith communities can support behavioral health prevention, reduce stigma, and better connect people to treatment and other resources. Click the links below for more information and to register. Cost is $35. Questions? Email Maddie Hart at admin@prevention-first.org or call 513.751.8000. 

June 10 | 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (Dayton) | More Info
June 17 | 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (Columbus) | More Info

Individuals who use substances face increased risk of brain injury due to overdose, intimate partner violence, falls, motor vehicle crashes, and other causes. These injuries can impact memory, mood, behavior, and service engagement, but can go undetected. Deflection teams are in a unique position to recognize red flags, offer trauma-informed support, integrate harm-reduction messaging, and help connect individuals to appropriate care.

Join Northeast Ohio Medical University's Substance Use Deflection Initiative on June 17 from noon-1:00 p.m. for a Substance Use, Overdose, and Brain Injury: Integrating Trauma-Informed, Person-Centered Care technical assistance session. Led by Cheryl Stahl, LPCC-S, Substance Use/Mental Health Program Director, Ohio Domestic Violence Network, this technical assistance session will explore the intersection of substance use, overdose, and brain injury. Learn practical strategies to improve engagement and support for individuals at risk.

Topics covered will include: understanding hypoxic, anoxic, and traumatic brain injuries; risk factors linking substance use and brain injury; recognizing cognitive, emotional, and physical indicators; trauma-informed, person-centered approaches; and harm reduction strategies and referral considerations.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Training and Technical Assistance Center for Early Serious Mental Illness (SAMHSA ESMI TTA Center) will host a Supporting Young Adults Experiencing Serious Mental Illness webinar on June 17 from noon-1:00 p.m. The presentation will discuss ways that young adults experiencing ESMI may be supported as they shift from child to adult mental health services. Participants will learn about structural and procedural changes that occur as young adults shift out of ESMI services and move from child to adult service systems. The webinar will also identify promising strategies to reduce service gaps, including using early planning, assessment tools, cross-system coordination, and personalized step-down programs. Two grantees will present approaches to improve continuity of care, minimize disengagement, and enhance service availability for young adults experiencing ESMI.

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, Sustaining Impact: Best Practices for Budgeting, on June 20. This session provides resources and best practices on budgeting for health promotion and prevention programs, including strategies to optimize funding for maximum impact. Additionally, speakers will discuss current funding resources available for prevention programs, providing practical guidance to help you build and maintain a successful prevention budget. CEs for Prevention, Social Work, Health Education, and Nursing will be available.

Ohio's School-Based Center of Excellence for Prevention and Early Intervention at Miami University will host the 2025 School SUCCESS Conference on June 23-25 at the Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center in Lewis Center. This year's theme is "Bounce! Building Resiliency Through Prevention." Click HERE to view the conference agenda. For conference scholarship opportunities, email leekl@miamioh.edu. 

Save the date! The Health Policy Institute of Ohio (HPIO) will host the 2025 Ohio Health Policy Summit on Oct. 9 in Columbus. This year's theme is “Prioritizing what works: A focus on policies with the greatest return on investment.” The Summit will explore evidence-based strategies that improve health and well-being for children, working-age adults, and older adults and offer a return on investment. HPIO is currently accepting workshop proposals. The deadline to submit a proposal is June 30. Questions? Email aclarkkirk@hpio.net. Registration information will be available this summer.