Monday marked 988 Day, a national day of awareness and action to promote the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, a vital resource that connects Ohioans experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis with free, confidential support 24/7. Local, state, and national events – including community mental health fairs, training sessions, webinars, and social media campaigns – were held throughout the week using the hashtag #988Day.

“988 is saving lives,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “Today is about reminding Ohioans that they are not alone, and that there is immediate help available. The more we can do to promote this life-saving resource, the more Ohioans we can connect to the mental health support they need.”

Since launching in 2022, Ohio’s trained call center specialists have responded to more than 643,000 calls, texts, and chats, and are currently averaging more than 23,000 contacts per month. Ohio 988 administrators attribute much of the growth in usage of the Lifeline to a combination of a statewide awareness campaign and local, grassroots efforts. According to a new survey commissioned by OhioMHAS to help measure the impact of a year-long, multi-media campaign, 53% of Ohioans expressed familiarity with the service compared to just 36% when the campaign launched.

“We are proud to surpass our initial goal of 50% and interpret these results as a clear sign that our message is hitting the mark with Ohioans,” said OhioMHAS Director LeeAnne Cornyn. “While this milestone is certainly worth celebrating, there is still much work ahead to reach all Ohioans. Our commitment to making 988 a household number for anyone in crisis remains stronger than ever.”

State officials also expressed gratitude to the wide range of local partners – including county mental health and recovery boards, community-based behavioral health service providers, local prevention coalitions, and mental health advocacy organizations – for their efforts to promote the Lifeline through strategically placed 988 signage, advertising, and other creative grassroots efforts. 

To help achieve even greater awareness, Ohioans are encouraged to check out the Ohio 988 Materials Generator where they can create customized posters, flyers, and other community education resources. They can also visit the 988 Ohio Store to purchase 988-themed apparel and accessories. Learn more at 988.ohio.gov.

Expanding access to community behavioral health crisis services is essential to building a healthier, more resilient Ohio, but in many parts of the state, especially rural and underserved areas, behavioral health resources are limited or difficult to access quickly. Traditional crisis responses have often relied on emergency rooms or law enforcement, which may not have the specialized training needed to de-escalate mental health emergencies.

Community-based crisis services — such as mobile crisis response teams, crisis stabilization centers, and behavioral health urgent care — offer a more appropriate and effective alternative. These services help individuals stabilize in safe, supportive environments and connect them to ongoing treatment, reducing the risk of hospitalization, incarceration, or homelessness.

“We want to ensure that every Ohioan facing a crisis has access to the right care, at the right time, in the right place,” said OhioMHAS Director LeeAnne Cornyn. “More than ever, we’re committed to making sure Ohioans have someone to call, someone to respond, and somewhere safe to go.”

Under Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s leadership, Ohio has made significant progress toward building a comprehensive community system of care that was promised decades ago, yet never fully built. That commitment included the historic investment of $90 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Today, those dollars are supporting 37 projects statewide, including 26 capital projects ($74.5 million), which will increase crisis residential capacity by more than 225 beds across the state and 11 infrastructure projects ($15.5 million), which support technology improvements, consultation services, mobile crisis, behavioral health urgent care, and crisis intervention with observation services across the state. 

One such example is North Coast House, a 16-bed short-term residential facility in Concord Township in Lake County. The facility will serve adults transitioning from inpatient care and/or crisis stabilization settings back into the community. The $3.37 million project is a partnership between Crossroads Health and the Lake County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board.

OhioMHAS contributed more than $3 million in ARPA funds to help renovate an existing 3,600-square foot residential building and facilitate construction of a 1,000-square foot addition. The facility will offer an array of services, including counseling, day treatment, medication management, case management, peer support, and linkages to other community-based recovery supports. Officials are planning an Oct. 22 ribbon cutting.

The OhioMHAS Behavioral Health Workforce Technical Assistance Center (BHW-TAC), in collaboration with national behavioral health consultants, MTM Services, is excited to announce a series of recorded trainings and a resource guide on workforce strategies to assist your organization to become more efficient and effective. These trainings are designed for behavioral health professionals, HR representatives, executive staff, and middle managers to support rapid transition for better service delivery while increasing engagement and support of staff. Participants will learn best practices to bring to their organization, fostering engagement and contributing to the development of tools to support employees. If you would like additional resources or technical assistance, please reach out to Workforce@mha.ohio.gov. 

The Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) is now accepting applications for funding through the RecoveryOhio Law Enforcement Fund. Grants will allow drug task forces to build new and strengthen existing partnerships with local law enforcement and cover drug task force expenses in combination with treatment and education resources.

Grants can be used to support the work of RecoveryOhio locally through drug task forces working to help drug overdose survivors, and those with substance use disorders and their families through education, support, and treatment options. While priority will be given to projects supporting the mission of Governor DeWine's RecoveryOhio initiative, funds may also be used by agencies to investigate drug trafficking organizations and disrupt the drug supply through intelligence gathering, information sharing, and multi-agency coordination.

Applications are due Oct. 9 at 5:00 p.m. Projects may apply for up to 12 months operating from May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027. For technical assistance on any part of the application, call OCJS at 614.466.7782 and ask to speak to the grants coordinator for your region. For more information about grants, please visit: https://ocjs.ohio.gov/grants-funding-monitoring.

The Problem Gambling Network of Ohio (PGNO) has announced two problem gambling grant opportunities. Click the links below for full details.

The Problem Gambling Community Readiness Assessment Grants aim to equip local communities with the necessary resources and support to assess and improve their readiness to address problem gambling. Agencies, coalitions, and community groups interested in engaging in effective problem gambling prevention work informed by the needs of their community are invited to apply. The deadline to submit an application is Sept. 30. 

The Problem Gambling Agency Service Consultation Grants addresses a critical gap in recognizing, preventing, and treating gambling-related harms in Ohio’s behavioral health and social service sectors. The deadline to submit an application is Sept. 30. 

In recognition of September as Recovery Month, Summit Recovery Hub has released a new video highlighting its impact throughout Summit County. Summit Recovery Hub is dedicated to promoting sustained recovery by providing connection, pro-social community activity, support, and advocacy to those affected by substance use, addiction, and mental health challenges. The organization has experienced tremendous growth this year serving 800 unique community members. Accomplishments include doubling its physical space and tripling its staff; extending operations to seven days a week (including evenings); launching SummitRIDES, a recovery supportive transportation program; and introducing SummitROAD, a program that provides harm reduction education, advocacy, and training.

The Ohio Substance Use Disorders Center of Excellence (SUD COE) at Case Western Reserve University has announced several upcoming trainings in partnership with The Ohio State University, as well as the release of a new Clinical Quick Note. Click the links below for more information and HERE for the full training calendar. 

Trainings
• Clinical Approaches to Cannabis Use Disorder: (Sept. 16, Sept. 17, and Sept. 24)
• Cannabis and Mental Health: (Sept. 22, Sept. 26, and Sept. 29)
• Cannabis: Clinical Implications and Treatment Considerations: (Sept. 12 - Columbus, Sept. 15 - Youngstown, and Sept. 19 - Akron)

New Clinical Quick Note
Cannabis and Mental Health: Navigating Clinical Realities in Ohio: This latest Clinical QuickNote addresses the complexities regarding the use of cannabis. In many states, cannabis has been legalized for medical use, recreational use, or both, as is the case in Ohio. Despite its legal status and potential medical uses, cannabis remains a drug that can lead to addiction in vulnerable individuals. This QuickNote addresses the challenge that this creates and discusses the research on both potential medical uses of cannabis and cannabis use disorder to help physicians and other health care providers negotiate these complexities and aid in having direct and evidence-based discussions with those they treat.

In recognition of September as Recovery Month, Perry Behavioral Health Choices is hosting a Stronger than Stigma Recovery Event and Resource Fair on Sept. 18 and a Peer Support Certification Workshop on Sept. 23. Click the links for more information and to register. Questions? Call 740.342.1991, or email Lauryn Chute at  lchute@perrybhc.org.

Appleseed Community Mental Health Center will host its inaugural Light the Way Recovery Rally on Sept. 23 from 3:30-7:00 p.m. at the Pavilions in Brookside Park in Ashland. This free, community event is designed for individuals currently struggling with addiction, those in recovery, their loved ones, and anyone honoring a life touched by substance use. The day will feature inspiring recovery speakers, resources, games, giveaways, refreshments, and more. 

The Ohio Program for Campus Safety and Mental Health (OPCSMH) at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) will host the 3rd Campus Safety & Suicide Prevention Symposium on Oct. 9 from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the University of Mount Union. This year's theme is "Beyond the Game: Teaming Up for Suicide Prevention." The symposium will provide education on evidence-based, culturally relevant resources related to campus suicide prevention and mental health promotion. It will feature presentations from industry experts and create a safe space for discussion of mental health and campus safety topics, including but not limited to mental health stigma, suicide risk, and substance misuse. Register by Oct. 1. 

The Summit Victim Assistance Academy (SVAA) is hosting a virtual Essentials of Victim Advocacy training for professionals who work with persons who have experienced tragedy, crime, or trauma on Oct. 20-24. Topics covered include: trauma-informed approaches, crisis intervention, sexual and intimate partner violence, human trafficking, suicide, compassion fatigue, resiliency, and victim rights. Course materials are approved by the National Organization for Victim Advocacy (NOVA). Ohio Social Work-eligible attendees have the opportunity to earn up to 29 continuing education hours upon successful completion.

Child Focus will host a free, advanced EMDR training on Nov. 13 from 8:30 a.m.-Noon. The training, titled, "Brain Based: Discover the Neurobiology of Shifting Emotion & Sensation & Expanding Phase 2 Resources" will be held in-person at the Child Focus Training Center in Cincinnati. The session will be led by trainer Libby Murdoch, LPCC, CCTP-II, CTRTC. Questions? Email SDrummond@child-focus.org.