The evening opened with welcome remarks from DBH Director Tia Marcel Moretti (pictured, at left) who highlighted mental health access efforts across Ohio and emphasized the need to address stigma as a major barrier to seeking help.

Tony Coder, Executive Director of the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF), moderated a lived-experience conversation with Christi Block. Christi shared her personal story and provided insights on how to recognize warning signs, support loved ones, and access community resources.

The evening continued with Lisa Ward, Executive Director of the MHRB of Belmont, Harrison, and Monroe Counties, facilitating A State of the County and Impact of Suicide panel discussion featuring Amanda Fisher, Belmont County Coroner; Kasey Osselborn, Chief Officer of Coleman Health Services; and Jarrett Wilson, Funeral Director and Vice President of Wilson Funeral Homes (pictured l-r, at top). The group discussed local trends, community strengths, and opportunities to prevent suicide in Belmont and Monroe Counties.

The Problem Gambling Network of Ohio (PGNO) is hosting property tours at Ohio's 11 casino and racino properties, as well as the Ohio Lottery Commission. These tours highlight how safer play and responsible gaming are integrated by each property. Conducted in March to align with Problem Gambling Awareness Month, PGNO Property Tours build relationships between operators and the problem gambling service field while fostering collaboration to strengthen practices.

Clinical providers gain valuable context by experiencing the casino environment directly, helping them better understand their clients' experiences, tailor services, and build referral pathways with on-site staff. Prevention professionals gain real-world knowledge of the environmental and psychological factors behind problem gambling, from slot machine mechanics to cognitive distortions, strengthening community education and outreach efforts.

Note: Tours are for those aged 21+ and for educational purposes only. Tours will include various aspects of the gaming floor. Please use discretion in attending as elements of the tour may be a trigger for those in recovery.

Upcoming tour dates include:
March 6 | Hollywood Casino Columbus | 10:00-11:30 a.m.
March 6 | Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs | 1:00-2:30 p.m.
March 10 | Jack Cleveland Casino | 9:00-10:30 a.m.
March 10 | Ohio Lottery Commission | 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
March 13 | Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course | 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
March 16 | Jack Thistledown Racino | 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
March 16 | MGM Northfield Park | 1:30-3:00 p.m.
March 18 | Miami Valley Gaming | 2:00-3:30 p.m.
March 20 | Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway | 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
March 24 | Hollywood Casino Toledo | 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
March 25 | Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati | 10:00-11:30 a.m.
March 25 | Belterra Park Cincinnati | 1:00-2:30 p.m.

The Ohio Substance Use Disorders Center of Excellence (SUD COE) at Case Western Reserve University has released a schedule of March trainings. Click the links below for more information and to register. Check out the Center's calendar to view a full schedule of free trainings and events. 

March 2 | Foundations of Stagewise Treatment
March 4 | Beyond the Birthdate — Treating Substance Use in Older Adults
March 5 | Motivating Behavior Change
March 10 | Engaging People in Conversations About Change
March 11 | Strengthening a Person's Own Commitment to Change
March 12 | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Severe and Persistent Mental Illness
March 12 | Breaking Barriers: The History of Medication-Based Recovery
March 16 | Overview of Best Practices in the Supervision of Substance Use Providers 
March 17 | Resilience Focused Supervision
March 18 | Ethics and Boundaries: Maintaining Professional Integrity in BH
March 18 | Foundations of Severe and Persistent Mental Health Disorders
March 19 | Reinforcing Recovery: A Practical Introduction to Contingency Management
March 19 | Foundations of Trauma-Informed Care
March 19 | Unlocking Recovery: Medications and the Brain's Role in Addiction
March 24 | Stagewise Treatment: Tailoring Interventions to Readiness for Change
March 25 | Integrating OUD Pharmacotherapy Into Clinical Practice 
March 26 | From Evidence to Action: Implementing Contingency Management
March 30 | Motivating Behavior Change (Athens, Hocking, and Vinton Counties Only)

Ohio Citizen Advocates for Addiction Recovery (OCAAR), in partnership with Hope Town Ohio, is hosting a Portage County Town Hall Listening Session on March 3 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Recovery Community Center in Windham. This free event is dedicated to hearing the voices and experiences of Portage County residents in recovery from substance use disorders. Questions? Email advocate@oca-ohio.org. 

The Greene County Educational Service Center is hosting a three-part Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Lunch and Learn series. The free, Zoom-based sessions run from 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. and are open to all interested individuals. Participants who attend all three sessions can earn 2.5 hours of OCCRRA credit. Questions? Email ecmhteam@greeneesc.org.

Training dates and topics include:
March 5 |  What is FASD? An Overview of FASD.
March 12 | Behavioral Characteristics and Symptomology
March 19 | Strategies to Help Children with FASD

Carve Your Own Path, Inc. (CYOP) will host Pathways to Wholeness: Nurturing Every Dimension of You, a free community wellness event for women in Northeast Ohio on March 14 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at Copley High School. Funded by the Akron Community Foundation, this trauma-informed and culturally responsive program is designed to address the interconnectedness of the eight dimensions of wellness. The event offers a safe space for participants to engage in evidence-based workshops and connect with vital local resources. Questions? Call 330.426.7885 or email info@cyopinc.org. 

The Mental Health and Recovery Board of Ashland County will host the 17th Annual Pat Risser RSVP Conference on March 25 from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at Ashland University. This year's conference will explore the dimensions of mental health for overall well-being (mental, emotional, social, physical, environmental, and spiritual). Dr. Melissa McRae, founder of Vitality Natural Wellness and Solenne Health Services, will provide keynote remarks. Questions? Email shoffman@ashlandmhrb.org or call 419.281.3139. 

Ohio Recovery Housing (ORH) will host the 2026 Ohio Recovery Housing Conference on April 14-15 at the Hilton Columbus – Polaris. Participants will learn about innovative programs and services that can benefit residents of recovery housing. ORH Board President Ted St. John and Executive Director Danielle Gray will join DBH Director Tia Marcel Moretti for opening remarks and updates on day one. Click HERE to view the full agenda. Early-bird registration rates are available until March 1. Questions? Email stacy@ohiorecoveryhousing.org.

The Ohio Children's Alliance (OCA) will host its 2026 Spring Conference on April 21-22 at the Hilton Columbus – Polaris. The conference brings together professionals from across Ohio who are committed to strengthening outcomes for children and families. This year’s conference will feature nationally recognized speakers, including Riaz Meghji and Mark Ostach, who will challenge the way we think about communication and leadership. Their keynotes will offer practical tolls that can be applied to foster stronger human connection in an increasingly technology-centered world. Click HERE to learn more about the keynotes and speakers.

Heartland High School, Ohio's only private, nonprofit recovery high school, will host its annual Heartland of Hope Luncheon on April 24 from Noon-1:30 p.m. at The Fives in Columbus. This event directly supports scholarships, academic programming, transportation, and recovery support so students can earn their high school diploma in a safe, sober, and supportive environment. Sponsorship packages and ticket options can be viewed HERE. For more information, call 614.260.8748 or email info@heartlandhighschool.org. 

The Ohio chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI Ohio) will host its 2026 State Conference on April 27-28 at the Cherry Valley Hotel in Newark. This annual conference brings together advocates, professionals, families, and individuals with lived experience. In addition to policy conversations, the conference will feature interactive workshops and breakout sessions, networking with statewide partners, Alliance Day programming focused on affiliate strengthening and nonprofit leadership, and NAMI Ohio's annual statewide meeting and awards ceremony. Click HERE to view the draft agenda.