Catch up quickly: Ohio is launching the Great Minds Fellowship Workforce Commitment Incentive Program to address the growing need for mental health professionals. The program offers up to $20,000 in grant funding to recent graduates who commit to working for at least one year at one of Ohio’s Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs), according to...

Catch up quickly: The AHA’s Behavioral Health Team and the Institute for Diversity and Health Equity released an infographic on mental health challenges faced by minority populations and outlined actionable steps hospitals can take to support these communities, according to the American Hospital Association. The big picture: Mental health disparities among Black, Latino, and Asian...

Catch up quickly: The Veterans Mobile Evaluation Team (VMET) and Veterans Response Teams (VRT) are innovative programs designed to prevent Veteran incarceration and involuntary hospitalization during mental health crises, offering critical support and intervention, according to a Veterans Administration News report. The big picture: VMET and VRT collaborate with local law enforcement to connect Veterans...

The big picture: Mental health issues in Ohio’s youth have spiked post-pandemic. Kids are facing higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation, with social media, loss of structure, and pandemic-related trauma amplifying the crisis, according to the Dayton Daily News. By the numbers: 37% of Ohio’s youth report feeling sad or hopeless, a 10%...

Catch up quickly: September is Suicide Prevention Month, and the rising suicide rates demand urgent attention. Suicide rates increased 36% from 2000–2022, claiming 49,476 lives last year—roughly one death every 11 minutes, according to Blue Cross California.   The big picture: With mental health challenges escalating, particularly among young people, it’s essential to foster a...

Catch up quickly: Ohio Governor Mike DeWine launched the Ohio Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) program, encouraging businesses to support people in recovery from substance use or mental health conditions by implementing recovery-friendly practices, according to a recent press release.   The big picture: Ohio’s new initiative promotes hiring people in recovery, reducing workplace stigma surrounding...

The big picture: Ohio State University’s Life Sports initiative, Coach Beyond, is transforming the role of coaches across Ohio. This program, which has trained 20,000 coaches, emphasizes mental health and personal development alongside athletic training. The goal is to create a more supportive and balanced environment for student-athletes, according to Public News Service.   Why...

The big picture: The U.S. is grappling with a severe mental health crisis exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Anxiety and depression levels have skyrocketed, affecting Americans of all ages. A CNN/Kaiser Family Foundation poll revealed that 90% of Americans believe we are in a mental health crisis, according to this Pew Research Report. The backstory:...

The big picture: Ohio is expanding mobile response services for youth under 21 experiencing a mental health crisis. Currently, only 47 of the state’s 88 counties have access to these services, but the state is aiming for statewide coverage by January 2025, according to the Dayton Daily News.   Catch up quickly: Ohio’s Department of...

The Big Picture: University Hospitals, in collaboration with local agencies, has launched a $1.3 million pilot program aimed at enhancing the response to mental health-related emergencies in Cleveland’s eastern suburbs, according to EMS1 News.     Catch Up Quickly: The initiative focuses on training dispatchers to better identify and handle mental health crises during 911...