Last week, NAMI Ohio helped usher in May as Mental Health Awareness Month by hosting the 20th Annual Resiliency Ring, Youth Advocacy Day, and Brunch at the Ohio Statehouse. The event brought together youth, families, advocates, legislators, community organizations, and supporters from across Ohio for a powerful and inspiring day centered on hope, leadership, connection, and mental health advocacy in Columbus.

Throughout the day, young people courageously shared their lived experiences, engaged directly with policymakers, connected with community resources, and elevated the importance of youth voice in shaping mental health conversations and systems of support across Ohio. Attendees also heard from State Representatives Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) and Jodi Salvo (R-Bolivar), and DBH Deputy Director of Community and Family Resiliency Jennifer Fraioli (pictured above, inset). Fraioli spoke about the importance of collaboration, resiliency, prevention, and investing in young people and families through accessible behavioral health supports and community partnerships. She also reinforced the importance of elevating youth voice and strengthening systems of care that support long-term well-being across Ohio communities.

Participants also enjoyed live performances from Heather Evans, who brought powerful energy and inspiration through music centered on hope and resilience, and Kyren Keys, who created unforgettable moments through his dynamic live drumming performance that energized and united participants during the Resiliency Ring.

"The day reflected the strength of community and the impact that is possible when people come together with compassion, purpose, and a shared commitment to mental health awareness and advocacy," said NAMI Ohio Executive Director Luke Russell (pictured, at right).

DBH is pleased to announce the appointment of Jessica Jennings as its new Deputy Director/Chief of Programs. Jennings, who started her new position this week, has a strong background in behavioral health leadership, specializing in community-based care, system access, and program development. She is an LCDC-II with an advanced addiction studies certificate.

In her new role, Jennings will be responsible for the strategic direction, oversight, and performance of all external DBH programs and services — leading high-impact programming across community and family resiliency, prevention, treatment, workforce development, criminal justice, and recovery. She will also help to establish standards, ensure compliance with federal and state laws, and evaluate program effectiveness to drive measurable outcomes and continuous improvement. Jennings will also serve as a trusted advisor and technical resource to Boards, service providers, and stakeholders, offering programmatic and fiscal guidance while maintaining stewardship of public funds.

Prior to joining DBH, she served as National Director of Community Impact and Outreach for Community Medical Services, where she led multi-state initiatives to expand access to treatment and strengthen partnerships across health care systems, law enforcement, and public health agencies. Her work emphasized data-informed strategies, community engagement, and the development of sustainable pathways into care. Jennings also brings lived experience in recovery, which informs her commitment to advancing effective, person-centered behavioral health systems. 

This landmark event brought together youth presenters from five youth-led organizations to showcase the power of young people as advocates, educators, and changemakers. Through dynamic stage presentations, students shared how youth-led prevention initiatives are strengthening schools and communities, elevating youth voice, and driving positive change across the state.

A highlight of the day was a student-led panel discussion featuring State Representative Dontavius Jarrells and Columbus City Councilmember Christopher L. Wyche. Moderated entirely by youth leaders, the conversation demonstrated how young people can effectively engage with elected officials to ensure the issues that matter most to them are heard and addressed at both the local and state levels.

Following the high-energy program, participants marched together to the Ohio Statehouse in a powerful demonstration of youth unity, leadership, and civic engagement. On the Statehouse steps, attendees heard inspiring remarks by Javier Sanchez, a prevention specialist from DBH Office of Family and Community Resiliency, and youth leaders from across Ohio, who reinforced a compelling message: when young people are empowered to speak up, their voices have the power to influence decisions, shape policy, and create meaningful change in their schools, communities, and throughout the state.

The initiative includes multiple statewide campaigns designed to support targeted prevention and education efforts for key populations, including expectant and prospective mothers, youth, and Ohio’s workforce. The first phase, set to launch this summer, will focus on maternal health, followed by expanded efforts centered on youth prevention and employer partnerships to educate Ohio’s workforce. The largest investment will be dedicated to preventing youth marijuana use.

Supported by $20 million appropriated in the state’s current operating budget, the campaign will be overseen by the Ohio Department of Commerce and developed with guidance from national prevention experts, including Truth Initiative. The effort will include targeted paid media, strategic community partnerships, and on-the-ground outreach coordinated by the Foundation.

“We’re seeing growing misconceptions about the risks associated with marijuana, and this campaign responds directly to what the research is telling us,” said OneOhio Recovery Foundation Executive Director Alisha Nelson. “Too many people underestimate those risks, especially for young people and during pregnancy. This effort is about ensuring Ohioans have clear, accurate information to protect their health and make informed decisions to safeguard their futures.”

The Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board (MHRB) kicked off Mental Health Awareness Month by recognizing local wellness warriors at its annual Mental Health and Recovery Awards luncheon held May 8 in Youngstown.   

Boardman Police Chief Todd Werth received the Leader of the Year award for his work in bringing a wellness center for first responders to the Mahoning Valley.

Other award recipients included:
Jasmine Phillips | Support Staff of the Year
Keona White | Frontline Staff of the Year
Douglas Doyle,| Frontline Staff of the Year
Paul Garchar | Child Advocate of the Year
Patricia Latimer | Adult Advocate of the Year
Reserve Officer Kathy Dina | CIT Officer of the Year
Safe Haven Baby Box | Program of the Year
Kathleen Harley | Eagle Award

“Mental health is health care,” said MHRB Executive Director Duane Piccirilli (pictured with DBH Chief Operating Officer Carrie Kuruc and Board President Dr. Chelsey Zoldan-Calhoun). “We need to take care of our warriors. We need to take care of ourselves. So today we're here to celebrate all the achievements.”

On Wednesday, the Mental Health and Recovery Board (MHRB) of Wayne and Holmes Counties hosted a ribbon cutting and open house to showcase its newly renovated office space at 2200 Benden Dr. in Wooster. DBH Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Kennedy was among the many guests who toured the building. The Board shares the space with Startzman Clinic and Coleman Health Services. The county's OhioRISE services are also housed at the facility.

Building on four years of foundational work since the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline launched in 2022, the Collaborative will serve as a national hub for coordination, learning, and action. It will bring together public and private stakeholders to strengthen 988 and the broader behavioral health crisis continuum. Through cross-sector collaboration, innovation, and shared learning, the Collaborative will support states and communities in building coordinated, person-centered crisis response systems so that people experiencing a mental health crisis receive the care they need and deserve.

Through the Collaborative, NAMI and HMA will help translate vision into practice, advancing a more responsive, trusted, and effective behavioral health crisis system nationwide. The Collaborative is designed to serve as a national hub for alignment, learning, and action in behavioral health crisis care, with a mission to advance connected and sustainable crisis systems nationwide by convening leaders, strengthening systems, and supporting innovation across the full crisis continuum.

For more information, visit crisisinnovation.org.

The Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) Department of Psychiatry Coordinating Centers of Excellence and Peg's Foundation will present the 2026 Drs. Fred and Penny Frese Lecture in-person and virtually on May 20 from Noon-1:00 p.m. This year's event will feature professor, mental health services researcher, and community psychologist Nev Jones who will discuss how her lived experience has led her to be an advocate and top researcher in the world of schizophrenia. During her lecture, titled "The Lived Experience Voice: How Lived Experience Can Impact and Change Systems," Jones will share how lived experience can make an impact and have a voice to change and challenge systems with sociocultural determinants of mental health, psychosis-focused services, and health equity. The presentation is free and open to the public. Questions? Email bestcenter@neomed.edu.

One week left! Register by May 20 to attend 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 (OACBHA), 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.

The Problem Gambling Network of Ohio (PGNO) will host a free, virtual Why Isn't Gambling Screening Routine Yet? discussion on June 10 from Noon-1:30 p.m. This session, led by Katrina Arroyo, LPCC, LICDC-GAMB, ICGC-I, will be an open forum-style discussion about gambling screening. Participants will explore the disconnect between awareness, knowledge, and implementation in regards to screening practices. 

Ohio Peer Recovery Organizations (OhioPRO) will host the 2026 Peer Recovery Summit: Connection Creates Recovery: Healing Happens Together on July 8-9 at the Hyatt Regency in Columbus. The Summit provides a dedicated space for the advancement of peer and recovery supports in Ohio through networking, growth, and learning. Attendance is limited, so register now before it sells out. Click HERE to learn more and register. Click HERE to learn more about sponsorship opportunities. Questions? Email OhioPRO Executive Director Michael J. Krause at mkrause@ohio-pro.com.