Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Nominates Tia Marcel Moretti to Serve as DBH Director
This week, Governor Mike DeWine announced his nomination of Tia Marcel Moretti to serve as Director of the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH).
Moretti, who has been leading the agency as interim director, brings more than 25 years of experience working alongside communities to strengthen mental health and addiction services. She previously served in Governor’s office as Deputy Director of RecoveryOhio, where she helped advance statewide efforts focused on prevention, treatment, and recovery.
Moretti said she is honored by the Governor's nomination and thankful for the opportunity to continue serving Ohioans.
"I am truly humbled by the Governor's nomination and grateful for the opportunity to continue serving alongside the dedicated and passionate team at DBH. Together, we will keep working to ensure every Ohioan has the support they need to be well, get well, and stay well."
Her career spans public service and the private sector, including roles as a licensed social worker and Ohio Certified Prevention Consultant. Moretti has also served as founder and CEO of the Ohio Institute for Substance Use Disorder Excellence and as Associate Vice President of Behavioral Health Integration at CareSource.
As director, Moretti will continue to guide DBH's work to build a strong, accessible behavioral health system, one that supports Ohioans at every stage of life.
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 DBH Office of Community and Family Resiliency Gives Back
This holiday season, the DBH Office of Community and Family Resiliency (OCFR) came together to adopt a family through Community for New Direction, a Columbus-based organization dedicated to empowering individuals to be the force for change in themselves, their families and their communities. Through this effort. OCFR staff donated essential items and gifts to help brighten the season for a local family.
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DBH Recovery Services Staff Get Into the Holiday Spirit by Participating in Annual 'Christmas Miracle' Event
Helping Incarcerated Individuals Maintain Family Connections During the Holidays
To provide incarcerated men and women the opportunity to spend the holidays with their children, the DBH Bureau of Correctional Recovery Services collaborated with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, and faith-based organizations Four-Seven Ministries and Crossroads Church to host the "Christmas Miracle" event in 29 institutions throughout the state. More than 500 families and 2,500 children participated in the annual event. Activities included making gingerbread houses, singing holiday carols, free pictures from the “Simple Portrait Project,” lunch, cartoons, and gifts from incarcerated parents to their children.
 Pictured above: The "Christmas Miracle" event held at the Ohio Reformatory for Women on Dec. 8.
Ohio Board of Pharmacy Emergency Ruling Bans Most Kratom Products for 180 Days
Last week, the Ohio Board of Pharmacy issued an emergency ruling banning most kratom products. The rule makes it illegal to sell, possess, or distribute all forms of kratom-related products, including synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine, known as 7-OH. The rule does not apply to products composed solely of mitragynine, including natural kratom in its vegetation form.
The action followed a renewed request last week from Ohio Governor Mike DeWine to designate all natural and synthetic kratom compounds as illegal drugs. “In reviewing this issue over the past few weeks, national experts, including the FDA, agree that synthetic kratom compounds should be scheduled as illegal,” said Governor DeWine. “However, while there is a clear path to take action on synthetic kratom, I still have deep concerns about natural kratom, given the harms, including fatalities, attributed to it. Pursuing the regular rule process for a ban on natural kratom will allow for hearings, testimony, and a deliberative process."
 Kratom, a plant native to Southeast Asia, is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for consumption or medical use, but it is often marketed for its purported ability to treat chronic pain, opioid dependence, opioid withdrawal, anxiety, depression, and other disorders. Products are sold online and in stores in various forms, including powders, pills, gummies, and drink products. According to preliminary data from the Ohio Department of Health, kratom was found to be a cause of death in more than 200 unintentional overdose deaths in Ohio from 2019 to 2024.
The emergency rule is in effect for 180 days, meaning it will expire on June 10, 2026. The Board said it will propose a permanent rule to ban all kratom-related products during this time.
 Mental Health America 'Hope for the Holidays' Resources
For many people, the holiday season is a time of joyful gatherings, thoughtful traditions, and time spent with loved ones. But for some, the holidays can stir up stress, loneliness, grief, family conflict, anxiety, sadness, and many other challenges. This time of year can be especially difficult for people living with a mental health condition. Mental Health America's Hope for the Holidays resources explore common holiday challenges and offer suggestions to help manage them. Click the button below for a variety of tips and tools to help you find peace this holiday season.
OSU Researchers Conducting Survey to Improve Training, Support, and Resources for Ohio Youth Coaches
The Ohio State University is conducting a new survey that seeks to explore Ohio youth sport coaches’ perspectives on their training needs, interests, and coaching practices. This is the second wave of an initial survey sent out in 2022 to see how perceptions of coaching have changed over time. The survey is open to any Ohio coach over age 18 who works with young children or adolescents in schools, community programs, developmental leagues, or competitive clubs. Participant insights will help improve training, support, and resources for coaches across the state. The online survey will take about 20 to 30 minutes to complete. Click the button below to participate.
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 Application Open for 3rd Ohio Recovery Leadership Institute Cohort
Ohio Citizen Advocates for Addiction Recovery (OCAAR) is seeking applicants for its 3rd Ohio Recovery Leadership Institute cohort. The cohort, which is open to individuals in recovery from substance use disorder, consists of five monthly workshops, beginning Feb. 27, 2026, and ending June 26, 2026. Twenty applicants will be selected for participation. Stipends will be provided to assist with travel. The deadline to apply is Jan. 8, 2026. Questions? Email Michael King at michael@communitiesproject.org.
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Upcoming Problem Gambling Trainings
Tuning the Nervous System: Clinical Applications of Sound Therapy in Mental Health Practice — Jan. 8
Carve Your Own Path, Inc. is hosting a Tuning the Nervous System: Clinical Applications of Sound Therapy in Mental Health Practice workshop on Jan. 8 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. This training will provide clinicians with an integrative understanding of how sound can regulate the nervous system, support trauma processing, and deepen therapeutic presence. Participants will explore the science of vibration, frequency, resonance, entrainment, and the human biofield; examine ethical and culturally aware implementation; and learn practical sound-based interventions they can safely incorporate into sessions. Questions? Email Amanda@cyopinc.org.
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Workplace Behavioral Wellness Promotion ECHO Series
Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service is launching a new professional development opportunity in January 2026 that offers online learning with CEUs at no cost. The Workplace Behavioral Wellness Promotion ProjectECHO series will take place every month on the second Wednesday from Noon-1:00 p.m. and is for professionals interested in fostering healthier workplace cultures, human resource professionals, and employee wellness leaders. This five-session learning series is designed to help organizational leaders strengthen employee well-being, enhance retention, and promote long-term organizational success.
The first session, The Retention Imperative: Strategies to Support Workplace Behavioral Wellness, will be held on Jan. 14. This session will explore how a strong behavioral wellness culture directly influences retention, productivity, and overall organizational stability. The discussion highlights leadership behaviors and communication practices that promote healthy conflict, psychological safety, and team trust. Free continuing education credits are available for Ohio Prevention Professionals, Peer Recovery Supporters, Social Workers, and Counselors, Health Educators, SHRM, PHR, and SPHR.
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2026 Ohio Problem Gambling Conference — Feb. 11-12
PGNO will host the 2026 Ohio Problem Gambling Conference on Feb. 11-12 at the Ohioan Hotel and Event Center in Lewis Center. The conference unites more than 300 national experts, state leaders, and local innovators in problem gambling prevention, intervention, treatment, recovery, research, administration, and safer-play. Presentations are designed for professionals who work in problem gambling prevention and treatment, as well as health care providers interested in how behaviors like gambling, substance use, and mental health issues are interconnected. Click HERE to view the agenda, HERE to learn more about sponsorship and exhibiting, HERE for hotel information, and HERE for recovery scholarship information. Questions? Email Events@PGNOhio.org.
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Building Bridges Mental Health and IDD ECHO Series: Foundations of Inclusive Mental Health Therapy for Adults with IDD
The Ohio State University Nisonger Center is offering a free, eight-session ECHO series for Ohio therapists and clinicians. This live, virtual training is for counselors, psychologists, and social workers who want to learn practical strategies for providing therapy to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism. The first ECHO, "Ethical Practices," session will take place on Feb. 23, 2026.
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Save the Date: 2026 Ohio Recovery Housing Conference — April 14-15
Save the date! Ohio Recovery Housing (ORH) will host the 2026 Ohio Recovery Housing Annual Conference on April 14-15 at the Hilton Columbus – Polaris. Registration opens in January. Recovery housing operators, individuals in recovery, treatment providers, and policymakers are invited to gather to learn best practices, network, and gain information about innovative programs and services that can benefit residents of recovery housing. Conference planners are currently seeking sponsors. Click HERE to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.
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OSPF Interfaith Conference on Suicide Prevention — May 15
On Friday, May 15, the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) will bring together faith leaders, mental health professionals, and community advocates for the Interfaith Conference on Suicide Prevention. This statewide gathering, themed "Building Hope Through Faith and Community," will focus on advancing suicide prevention efforts within Ohio communities through faith-centered dialogue, collaboration, and shared learning. More details will be available soon.
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Committee will review county suicide and overdose death data Lisbon Morning Journal, December 17, 2025
Teen drug use remains low, but survey finds small rise in heroin and cocaine use The Associated Press, December 17, 2025
NAMI Wood County to host suicide prevention training, launch new support group WTOL-TV, December 16, 2025
Social media detox boosts mental health, but nuances stand out The Harvard Gazette, December 16, 2025
DEA fights fentanyl crisis in Northeast Ohio with new initiative WOIO-TV, December 16, 2025
Local woman speaks out about addiction after losing father to overdose WTVG-TV, December 16, 2025
For some Ohioans in recovery, legal help is the final step to a fresh start The Ohio Newsroom, December 15, 2025
How to cope with grief, depression during the holidays SpectrumNews1, December 15, 2025
Managing mental health during the holiday season: Expert shares tips WKYC-TV, December 15, 2025
Voices of experience and hope soar in a song to prevent suicide NPR, December 14, 2025
Erie County United Way launches free Gratitude Journal to support mental health Lorain Morning Journal, December 13, 2025
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