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Recovery in Action
Newsletter
| July 2024 | Volume 8 - Issue 7 | |
Cuyahoga County's First Two Years With 988 | |
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July marks two years since the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline became available nationwide, providing critical mental and behavioral health support.
In Cuyahoga County, FrontLine Service, one of the ADAMHS Board's key providers, manages 988. From July 2022 to June 30, 2024, FrontLine Service received 112,957 crisis hotline calls. Of that number, 28,569 calls were from people dialing 988. These figures highlight the essential role of the crisis line in providing timely mental and behavioral health assistance and reinforcing community well-being.
Two years after its debut, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a proven safety net for thousands of people each month who face emotional distress or thoughts of suicide.
"988 continues to show its value in saving lives within our community. This crucial resource will continue to be available to Cuyahoga County residents with funding provided by the ADAMHS Board," said Scott Osiecki, ADAMHS Board CEO.
Anyone experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, or their family member, can call, text or chat the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to reach a trained specialist who can offer assistance. Reasons to call 988 include, but are not limited to: thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crisis, financial and relationship struggles, and any other kinds of serious emotional distress.
Click here to read a recent press release on 988 from Governor Mike DeWine's Office and OhioMHAS.
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The ADAMHS Board Welcomes One New Board Member and
Reappoints Two
Linda D. Johanek (right) was sworn in at the General Board Meeting on July 31. Owner of LDJ Consulting, Ms. Johanek partners with nonprofits as a consultant with deep experience and a proven track record of driving organizational growth and impact through strategic planning, fundraising, program development, and board effectiveness. She is skilled in collaborating with diverse stakeholders to identify opportunities, overcome challenges and achieve sustainable results that advance mission-driven objectives. Ms. Johanek previously held positions as a Senior Director at Morino Ventures to engage funders, nonprofit leaders, and consultants who are a part of the Leap Ambassadors Community of 350+ global visionaries and changemakers in nine countries, and Chief Executive Officer at Domestic Violence & Child Advocacy Center.
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Bishara W. Addison was reappointed to serve another term on the Board. She is the Director of Job Preparation at The Fund for Our Economic Future, an organization that is a funding alliance made up of more than 40 organizations and individuals dedicated to advancing economic growth with equitable access to opportunity for the people of Northeast Ohio. Ms. Addison previously held positions as Senior Manager, Policy & Strategic Initiatives at Towards Employment, a nonprofit that has helped over 130,000 people navigate careers, remove barriers and climb a career ladder since 1976, and as Project Manager, Strategy Implementation and Executive Fellow to the CEO with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. She participates on several committees and boards.
Rev. Benjamin Gohlstin, Sr. was reappointed as well to serve another term. He is a pastor at Heritage Institutional Baptist Church, CEO of the Ministerial Criss Center and Board President of the Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland.
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OACBHA General Membership Meeting
On July 30, Latoya Hunter Hayes, ADAMHS Board Chief of External Affairs, attended the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities (OACBHA) General Membership Meeting. This event provided valuable insights into state-level initiatives and fostered collaboration among county boards to enhance behavioral health services.
Attendees learned about various fiscal and data recommendations, and the reintroduction of MACC, or the Multi-Ethnic Advocates for Cultural Competence. Additionally, they heard from LeeAnne Cornyn, Director of OhioMHAS, who answered audience questions and gave other updates and information.
Overall, the meeting underscored the Board's commitment to staying informed and engaged with statewide efforts to improve mental health and addiction services.
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2024 Roads to Recovery Conference
This year’s Roads to Recovery conference theme, Creating Healing Communities, reflects the ADAMHS Board’s efforts to support a recovery-oriented system of care. This system should provide services that are diverse and inclusive and reflect the uniqueness of individuals living with mental illness, substance use disorders and other addictions.
Sponsorship opportunities are available and general registration opens in August.
If you or your organization would like to sponsor the conference, click here for more information. Click here for registration information.
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Operation BRIDGE Day
On July 18, External Affairs Officers Ian Jameson and Joicelyn Weems attended Operation BRIDGE (Bridging Recovery Interdiction Data Gathering Enforcement) Day. This event combines law enforcement and substance use treatment resources in a coordinated effort focusing on the reduction of supply and demand, simultaneously prioritizing treatment for those who qualify.
Thanks to the Westshore Enforcement Bureau for inviting us and to Stella Maris Cleveland, Northern Ohio Recovery Association (NORA), the Cleveland Division of Police, and all of our partners for their continued support.
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Cleveland Public Library's South Branch Mobile Food Pantry
On July 26, Ian Jameson staffed the South Branch of the Cleveland Public Library's Mobile Food Pantry. This event allows community members to get referrals, resources and Narcan.
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Healthy You, Health Us Community Health Fair
On July 27, Joicelyn Weems attended the 3rd Annual Healthy You, Healthy Us Community Health Fair. Comprehensive testing, 988 education and more were distributed. In addition, the ADAMHS Board sponsored this event.
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Back to School Rally
On July 28, Ian Jameson staffed Temple Baptist Church's 18th Annual Back-to-School Rally. Materials that help with mental health, behavioral health career paths and overdose prevention awareness were distributed.
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Addiction Studies Institute Conference
Larry Heller, NORA Outreach Coordinator, and Scott Osiecki, ADAMHS Board CEO, presented a workshop titled “Meeting People Where They Are: Helping Our Most Underserved” at the Addiction Studies Institute Conference at Ohio State University on July 19. The workshop was well attended and highlighted how NORA’s Crisis Outreach Team fits into the crisis continuum. The success of the program, which is provided within the community by teams of professionals and peer recovery coaches, was shared.
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Goodtime III Client Summer Event
On July 18, the ADAMHS Board's Client Rights Division organized and hosted a luncheon on the Goodtime III for clients. There were over 80 participants for a two-hour, narrated cruise along the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie. Scott Osiecki, ADAMHS Board CEO; Dr. Robert Fowler, Board Chair; Bill Hebble and Diana Clifford, Client Right Officers, and Vicki Roemer-Nishi, Administrative Specialist, were also in attendance.
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Nueva Luz 25th Anniversary Celebration
Patricia James-Stewart, ADAMHS Board Director, (l) and Scott Osiecki, ADAMHS Board CEO, (r) attended Nueva Luz Urban Resource Center's 25th Anniversary Celebration on July 20. This celebration recognized individuals and agencies who have been instrumental in Nueva Luz's work over the past 25 years. Guests were asked to wear something silver and award winners received belief, impact, leadership and trailblazer awards, among others. The ADAMHS Board is proud to have sponsored this event.
Nueva Luz focuses on "reducing the negative impacts of HIV/AIDS in our community" and challenges the root causes of systemic poverty among Latinos and other underserved individuals through holistic and culturally competent service and community building. Nueva Luz also has several other focuses, including a youth development program, a fatherhood support program and immigration legal services.
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ADAMHS General Board Meeting at Thrive Peer Recovery Services
July's General Board Meeting was held at Thrive Peer Recovery Services. We want to thank Thrive for hosting us, as well as all the great work they do providing mental health and substance use peer recovery services to self-identifying individuals in Ohio.
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The COPN app utilizes human connection to help detect an overdose by providing an audio connection to a community of people willing to provide supervision at a time when the caller is most at risk of an overdose. Click the image above to learn more and download. | |
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Spotlight | | |
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5 Ways to Support Minority Mental Health Awareness
At the ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County, we understand that fear of stigma, cultural beliefs, generational differences and lack of access to resources can prevent people of color from seeking the help they need. In July, we celebrated Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. It was a crucial reminder to prioritize mental health equity and advocate for culturally competent services within our community.
What You Can Do:
Educate yourself: Learn about the mental health disparities faced by BIPOC communities. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is a great resource to get started.
Normalize conversations about mental health and talk openly: Help break the stigma by having open conversations about mental health within your family and social circles.
Seek out culturally competent care: There are providers available who understand the specific needs of BIPOC communities. Ask your doctor or therapist for recommendations, or check out our list of providers for guidance.
Advocate for change: Support policies that promote mental health equity and access to culturally competent care.
Remember, you are not alone: If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, help is available. The ADAMHS Board funds a 24-hour suicide prevention, mental health/addiction crisis, information and referral hotline. Call 988 to connect with a counselor anytime, 365 days a year. We also offer free, confidential online behavioral health screenings, which are a quick way to determine if you or someone you care about should connect with a behavioral health professional.
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Trainings Provided by the ADAMHS Board
View our full calendar of meetings and trainings.
Awareness Opportunities
Back-to-School Season
As summer winds down and the back-to-school season approaches, students and parents alike face a mix of excitement, anxiety, and anticipation. The start of a new academic year often brings new challenges, responsibilities and expectations. Amidst the rush to buy school supplies, organize schedules and prepare for the academic workload, it's crucial to remember the importance of mental health. Ensuring students return to school with a positive mindset and good mental health can significantly impact their academic performance, social interactions, and overall well-being. Establishing a routine, having open communication, setting realistic goals, promoting healthy habits, teaching coping skills, monitoring screen time and more are all ways that can benefit a child's mental health.
Click here to read our full blog post.
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