Valerie Leach, Chief of the DBH Office of Community and Family Resiliency (pictured, second from right), also participated in the Summit, serving as a panelist for a discussion focused on the impact of problem gambling. She was joined by Problem Gambling Network of Ohio (PGNO) Executive Director Derek Longmeier, Ohio Casino Control Commission Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel Andromeda Morrison, and MGM Northfield Park Compliance Manager Samantha Alonso. The panel was moderated by Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation Chief Strategy Officer Daniel Bennett. 

In an effort to reshape how people think and talk about substance use and mental health, the Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board has launches “Stigma Is Out of Style," a new public awareness campaign focused on reducing stigma and empowering the community to support recovery. Rather than using fear-based messaging, the campaign takes a fresh and inviting approach, using personal style as a metaphor to highlight that recovery looks different for everyone, while stigma is something we can leave behind.

“Recovery looks different for everyone, just like personal style,” said Kimberly Priester, Director of Treatment and Supportive Services. “We know a campaign alone won’t solve addiction. But how we speak about recovery, and how we show up for people in recovery, matters. This initiative is about helping our community replace judgment with understanding and become stronger allies.”

Check out stigmaisoutofstyle.com to stay connected and get more information. For collaboration opportunities, email coakes@mcadamhs.org.

The eTMS Ohio Project coordinated by Wright State University and Wave Neuroscience is currently enrolling participants for a Phase II FDA clinical trial evaluating a noninvasive treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study is open to eligible veterans and first responders and is available at four locations across Ohio. Participants will receive a pain-free treatment at no cost and may be compensated for their time. To learn more about eligibility and study locations, visit www.etmsfda.com. Questions? Call 937.775.2342 or email coordinator@eTMSFDA.com.

Thrive Peer Recovery Services is expanding its internship program. Thrive is currently enrolling participants for its upcoming Lucas County cohort (virtual) from May 18-July 3. As a Thrive intern, participants will be guided through a six-week cohort covering the Peer Recovery Supporter (PRS) Certification process, building the necessary skills to succeed in this vital role. This program includes hands-on experience, working with Thrive's dedicated team, providing participants with the practical tools and knowledge needed to navigate the certification journey and step confidently into the workforce. Visit Thrive’s Internships page to apply/learn more or send resumes to Ashley Carson at acarson@thrivepeersupport.com.

The Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) recently announced the release of new visualizations of the latest data on suicide — including up-to-date information on suicide deaths and attempts, suicidal thoughts, and serious mental illness in the U.S. Download the free PowerPoint slides to use these timely charts and graphs in your next presentation.

Women with serious mental illness (SMI) face significantly higher risks during pregnancy and the postpartum period, including being among those most affected by maternal mortality, yet critical gaps in care persist across state mental health systems. The latest brief from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Technical Assistance Coalition shows what states can do right now. 

Highlights include:

• Why perinatal screening and integrated care are game changers for outcomes
• Workforce/training gaps states are reporting — and strategies to close them
• Proven models: peer support, home-visiting programs, and mother-baby treatment units 

This paper is part of the Coalition’s Refocus and Renew: Moving Towards Health series — a 10-paper collection guiding state leaders on SMI and SED treatment, recovery, and whole-person health. More papers from this series will be released on an ongoing basis.

New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show kratom-related exposures reported to U.S. poison centers increased approximately 1,200 percent from 2015-2025, reaching a record high. The findings, which were published in the March 26 CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), highlight a shift toward higher-potency products and expanding use across demographic groups. Although many cases involved kratom alone, co-use with substances such as alcohol, opioids, and antidepressants was linked to more severe outcomes, including hospitalizations and deaths. The report underscores the importance of continued surveillance, targeted public health education, and clinical awareness, particularly around polysubstance use. 

Quiet Thoughts Matter will present A Return to Self: A Jhené Aiko–Inspired Journal and Yoga Experience on April 4 from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the offices of the Akron Urban League. This free community event will include guided journaling and a restorative yoga session led by a certified instructor, creating a safe and intentional space for participants to reconnect with themselves. Attendees are encouraged to bring a journal and yoga mat. Questions? Email info@QuietThoughtsMatter.org.

Join the Ohio Youth-Led Collective for a collaborative professional development experience. The Community of Practice Evolve & Empower session is designed for Ohio youth‑serving professionals who want to strengthen leadership development, elevate youth voices, and build more impactful and sustainable youth programs. Through interactive activities, reflective dialogue, and practical tools, participants will explore how shifting adult mindsets and practices can open the door to authentic youth leadership. To increase access across the state, this in‑person session will be offered in three regional locations: 

April 10 | Northern Ohio (Independence) | Register
April 17 | Southern Ohio (Cincinnati) | Register
July 9 | Central Ohio (Delaware) | Register

The sessions, which include lunch and CEUs, are free to attend.

The Ohio Council of Behavioral Health and Family Services Providers is hosting its 2026 Compliance and Quality Conference April 14-15 at the Ohioan Hotel and Event Center in Lewis Center. The conference is designed specifically for behavioral health executives, compliance officers, clinical leaders, quality improvement staff, and administrative professionals. As regulatory expectations, quality standards, and payer requirements continue to evolve, behavioral health organizations must remain proactive in strengthening compliance infrastructure and advancing quality improvement efforts. Conference presentations will focus on audit readiness and program integrity priorities, documentation standards and payer audit trends, federal confidentiality requirements, cybersecurity and data breach response, telehealth compliance and patient experience strategies, artificial intelligence, and SB 138 ADAMH Board contracting updates and provider impacts. 

The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) will host a free Autism and Suicide Prevention: Understanding Risk, Warning Signs, and Autism-Informed Support webinar on April 15 from Noon-1:00 p.m. This session will explore how suicide risk presents differently in autistic individuals and what more responsive, inclusive support can look like. It will also highlight disparities impacting underserved youth, including the role of bullying, trauma, environmental stress, and barriers to care.

We Understand You will host its 2nd Annual Mental Health and Trauma Summit for adolescents and adults on April 17-18 in Celina. The We Understand You Summit is a trauma-informed conference and healing retreat focused on connection, education, and emotional well-being in a safe, supportive environment. The event features two distinct tracks with one shared purpose — restoring hope, resilience, and connection for survivors of all ages. Questions? Email riseupfromtrauma@gmail.com or call 567.205.1844.

The Ohio Psychiatric Physicians Association (OPPA) will host its Ohio Mental Health Care Clinical Summit (Annual Psychiatric Update) on April 18-19 at the Hilton Polaris in Columbus. The 2026 meeting’s theme is "Bridging Worlds: The Art and Science of Modern Psychiatry." Join some of the nation’s leading psychiatric experts who will be speaking on a variety of cutting-edge, evidence-based care for individuals with mental illness, including Gut Microbiome and Mental Health, GLP-1 and Psychiatric Illnesses, Bridging Therapy and AI, and much more. The 2026 meeting promises to be an exceptional educational opportunity, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among professionals at all levels. Whether you are a new or seasoned psychiatrist, an advanced practice nurse, physician assistant, emerging researcher, or a student passionate about mental health, the 2026 Ohio Mental Health Care Summit will provide valuable learning experiences and networking opportunities to enhance your practice. Use code PRES26 to receive $100 off the non-member rate. Questions? Email Janet Shaw at jshaw@oppa.org. 

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost will host the 2026 Human Trafficking Summit on July 30 at the Hyatt Regency in Columbus. The summit brings together key stakeholders from Ohio and beyond who are committed to eliminating the scourge of human trafficking. AG Yost and his Human Trafficking Initiative team encourage advocates, health care professionals, survivors, law enforcement officers, lawyers, prosecutors, judges, and others to attend. Conference organizers are currently accepting workshop proposals from individuals interested in presenting. The deadline to submit a proposal is April 20.  

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Center for Financing Reform and Innovation (CFRI) is hosting a Community-Initiated Care in Behavioral Health: Exploring Funding Mechanisms for Substance Use Disorders webinar on April 21 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. The webinar will examine existing community-initiated care (CIC) organizations to better understand the strategies and funding mechanisms used to sustain early intervention and prevention services for SUD in their communities.

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. 

Ohio Citizen Advocates for Addiction Recovery (OCAAR) will host its Fifth Annual Recover Out Loud Celebration on April 29 from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium — Africa Event Center. Each year, OCAAR celebrates champions in recovery by awarding a national and statewide "Champion in Recovery." This year's Ohio honoree is Hannah Schilling, a Certified Peer Support Supervisor and Community Outreach Coordinator at Hamilton County Public Health. Hannah has led with courage and authenticity — openly sharing her recovery story to reduce stigma, inspire hope, and show that long-term recovery is possible. Her work at both the community and systems level has earned multiple honors, including two National Promising Practice Awards. The 2026 national honoree is TBA.  

BrightView Health is hosting a virtual Addiction Isn't a Crime: Aligning Law Enforcement, Medicine, and Probation panel discussion on April 29 from Noon-1:00 p.m. This session will bring together leaders from law enforcement, medical treatment, and community supervision to explore the realities of addiction and reentry within the justice system. Through evidence-based insights and frontline experience, panelists will examine why overdose risk spikes after release, how SUD is clinically identified, and why treatment, not punishment, is essential to improving outcomes. The discussion will focus on addressing misconceptions about medication-assisted treatment (MAT), understanding the barriers people face in the first weeks after release, and highlighting the collaborative practices that reduce recidivism, support recovery, and create safer, more effective reentry pathways. Questions or trouble registering? Email info@brightviewhealth.com.

The Problem Gambling Network of Ohio (PGNO) will host a Clinical Conversations: AI and Gambling professional development opportunity on April 29 from Noon-1:30 p.m. This session will explore the rapidly growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping modern gambling environments. From personalized marketing and predictive algorithms to real-time engagement strategies, AI is changing how individuals interact with gambling platforms and potentially increasing risk and accessibility. Participants will discuss emerging trends, ethical considerations, and the potential impact on individuals at risk for gambling-related harm. The session will also consider how AI may be leveraged for prevention, early identification, and intervention.

The International Community Justice Association (ICJA) has announced a three-part webinar series that brings together leaders with lived experience to explore financial stability, mental health, peer-led reentry support, and grassroots policy change. Grounded in personal insight and practical strategy, each session offers actionable tools for practitioners, supervisors, and community partners seeking to build more responsive, equitable, and effective reentry systems. Participants will leave with concrete approaches to strengthening economic opportunity, supporting mental health and post-incarceration adjustment, empowering peer leadership, and engaging families and communities in sustainable change. 

Upcoming Dates/Topics:
May 6 | Post-Incarceration Syndrome, Mental Health, and Moving Forward
June 10 | Grassroots to Systemic Policy Change
July 21 | Peer-Led Support, Mutual Aid, and Community Empowerment

The Ohio Prevention Professionals Association (OPPA) will host its 2026 Conference on May 7 from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at The Fawcett Center in Columbus. This year's theme, "Prevention: The Future is Bold," sets the stage for a day of proactive and forward-thinking education, dialogue, and networking centered on prevention in Ohio. The conference features keynotes, workshops, and presentation of the 2026 OPPA Prevention Awards, celebrating prevention excellence in Ohio. Member registration is $120. Non-member registration is $245, which includes a 2026 OPPA membership.

Attendee registration is now open for Ohio’s 2026 Mental Health and Addiction Conference: Inspiring a Stronger Tomorrow on June 1-2 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Columbus. Hosted by the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities, in partnership with DBH and the Ohio Departments of Health and Rehabilitation and Correction, this 16th annual conference will focus on efforts related to mental health and addiction prevention, education, intervention, treatment, recovery, family supports, community engagement, and more. The conference will help advance the resources and knowledge essential for communities to provide support to those in need. Questions? Email Shelby Stutzman at sstutzman@oacbha.org.