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The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation is asking lawmakers to put it out of business.
Executive Director Tony Coder and several suicide loss survivors expressed that goal at a Statehouse press conference Tuesday highlighting what they called “a club no one wants to be in.”
“The system is so far behind,” Coder said of the state’s efforts to combat suicide.
Timed to coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day, the event comes during a spending cycle in which lawmakers funneled new resources into the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline but refrained from establishing a permanent funding source.
Between that and on-the-ground prevention and treatment options advocates say are lacking, plenty of policy work lies ahead for the foundation heading into both the lame duck period and the approaching Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget cycle.
“I’m grateful to Gov. DeWine for putting so much funding into mental health over the last few years,” Coder said. “But this next budget is going to be rough and we’re going to be really active in making sure our community mental health centers, that our hospitals, the folks who are doing the work out there really do get the resources they need to start approaching this problem.”
About 720,000 people die by suicide each year worldwide, Coder said, citing the World Health Organization. Nearly 50,000 of those are from the United States, giving the nation the 31st highest suicide rate out of the 183 countries measured. In Ohio, the Department of Health reported 1,797 lives lost to suicide in 2022 – or five a day.
At the same time, officials have deemed the initial years of the 988 hotline a success as it has grown from 7,000 calls and texts a month at the outset to 20,000 as of this summer, Coder said.
Lawmakers pumped a combined $46.5 million into the hotline in the current budget (HB 33 Tracked). As to permanent funding options, Coder said he continues to urge policymakers to dip into recreational marijuana tax revenue for that purpose, which he acknowledged remains a “contentious subject” between the two chambers. (See Gongwer Ohio Report, July 16, 2024)
The foundation also maintains its support for a 25-cent fee on phone bills – similar to 911’s existing 40-cent fee – to support the hotline.
Coder said the hotline’s performance remains impressive considering nearly two-thirds of Ohioans do not know the resource exists.
“We need to make sure, just like 911, everybody knows…that folks have access to care when they need it,” Coder said.
Coder was flanked by family members who have lost loved ones to suicide, driving the statistics home. They included Donna and Jeff Heck, who lost their daughter at age 33 after a lifelong battle with depression.
“How many people can carry their daughter’s obituary?” Donna asked. “It’s horrible.”
“Jeff and I learned so many things and a few of the things that we have learned is just because someone’s smiling it doesn’t mean they’re OK.”
Sandy Williams, describing the death of her father shortly before his 75th birthday, said it is not just parents being impacted. In Ohio, 80% of those who die by suicide are men, with those above 75 years old making up the highest number.
Chris Grant, who lost her 20-year-old daughter in 2022, said she felt ill-equipped to support Jada after she was released from a hospital for depression and anxiety.
“When she was discharged, sadly, our family, we were not given any sort of support,” she said. “We were not asked to a part of her care or aftercare and for me I think that is one issue that needs to be addressed.”
“Young people who are struggling with mental illness – they need advocates, they need support,” she said. “I would hope that being here today will somehow help OSPF and our legislators address ways that we can continue to support our young people and help them find a hope that they’re so desperately needed.”
Multiple speakers emphasized that one cannot judge someone’s inner struggles by their outward appearance. Dave Rife, president of the foundation’s board of directors, said his son, Matthew, was “a very vibrant and outgoing person,” but that his smile hid the turmoil inside.
“Mental health is nothing more than a disease,” Rife said. “If we treat it as a disease…people should feel comfortable asking for help and if people do feel comfortable asking for help then maybe, just maybe, the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation ends up working its way out of business some day.”
Suicide is a public health crisis. If you or anyone you know is in crisis, the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 988. More information can be found here.
After Donna Heck’s daughter Dani, then 33, died by suicide more than five years ago after a lifelong battle with her mental health, Heck said she started carrying Dani’s obituary with her wherever she went.
“We are part of the club that nobody wanted to be part of, the club that lost someone that we love and treasure to suicide,” Heck said. “Suicide does not care about your gender, your race, your political or religious beliefs or your socioeconomic status.”
Ohio Department of Health data from 2022 showed the state lost about five Ohioans to suicide every single day. The state’s suicide rate rose from 2020 to 2022, with men accounting for 80% of all state suicide deaths.
Men 75 and older died by suicide at the highest rate, according to the data. Sandy Williams knows the statistic well. A framed photo of her beaming father, Jerry, sat next to her on a Statehouse podium as she delivered remarks Tuesday morning.
“It’s not seen as a tragedy, the way it’s seen when an 18-year-old dies,” Williams said. “I am here to tell you that it is a tragedy. Even at 53, I still needed my dad, and he should still be here today.”
Williams, the Hecks and other current and former members of the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation used Tuesday—which marked World Suicide Day—to advocate against an issue they argue doesn’t discriminate.
Under Gov. Mike DeWine’s administration, advocates have largely lauded increased appropriations to mental health resources. But the foundation’s call for action came with concerns that those resources will get fewer funds the next budget cycle
“This next budget is going to be rough and we’re going to be really active in making sure that our community mental health centers, that our hospitals, that folks who are doing the work out there really do get the resources they need,” said Tony Coder, the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation executive director.
He’s watching economic trends now, he said, months ahead of the next budget cycle—which will start in early 2025. Coronavirus relief money ran dry already.
“Usually, social services are the first thing to get cut,” Coder said in an interview after.
Coder wants to see the state fund mental health rehabilitation facilities in communities and secure a permanent funding source for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or 988, among his other priorities.
By Tony Coder, executive director of the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation
In my role, I attend funerals for Ohioans who have died by suicide. One of them was a young woman, and after her death, her family felt a lack of support. Her mother shared with me that when her other daughter died of cancer, the community rallied around the family, providing meals, offering to clean the house, and helping with her other children’s activities. However, when her daughter died by suicide, there was no similar outpouring of support. She felt hurt, realizing later that people didn’t know how to talk about suicide. This lack of support and hesitancy to talk about death by suicide is a common experience for families who have lost someone to suicide, which can lead to feelings of isolation and guilt. Suicide is a complex issue without a singular cause.
September marks National Suicide Prevention Month, a time not only for raising awareness but also for making real changes in how we approach mental health and suicide. We have a unique opportunity to enhance our understanding of these complex issues, promote open dialogue, and break down the stigma that often prevents effective intervention.
Suicide continues to be a significant public health issue in our nation and our state. In Ohio, we lose five people to suicide every day. While recent statistics from the Ohio Department of Health show a drop in youth deaths by suicides in 2022, we continue to see alarming rates among men and at-risk populations like our senior citizens. We must look beyond the numbers and recognize the complex contributing risk factors to address this.
Education is our first line of defense. We must talk about suicide and create an environment that provides meaningful support for those who are facing a mental health crisis or who are struggling with suicidal thoughts or ideations. By avoiding discussions about suicide, we are creating obstacles for those who need access to help.
Our focus should also extend to the various community initiatives designed to prevent suicide and support recovery. Many schools have implemented comprehensive programs, including Sources of Strength Ohio and Be Present Ohio: The Online Experience, to educate students and staff about mental health and create a supportive environment. These initiatives are instrumental in early identification and intervention, potentially saving lives and fostering resilience among young people
We must address the needs of individuals who have attempted suicide or families and friends grieving a loss. Post-suicide recovery plans should be robust and compassionate, offering continuous support rather than a one-time intervention. One example of this is L.O.S.S. Teams, which are trained to respond to those left behind after a suspected suicide loss. L.O.S.S. team members, many of whom are fellow loss survivors, provide practical support and a connection to resources. Most importantly, they plant seeds of hope.
Access to professional mental health services is critical, and promoting awareness of these resources can help individuals seek the support they need. Ohio’s 988 crisis hotline is indispensable for providing immediate support. Ensuring its continuous availability demands committed funding.
Suicide Prevention Month is not just a time for reflection but a call to action. By working together—schools, state leaders, local organizations, healthcare providers, and individuals—we can foster a culture where mental health is openly discussed, and everyone feels empowered to seek help. Reducing stigma, increasing education, removing barriers to mental health care, and having conversations are all steps toward the goal of zero deaths by suicide.
Together, we can build a more supportive, understanding, and proactive approach to mental health and suicide prevention.
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Tony Coder is the Executive Director of the nonprofit Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation, where he leads the charge to support community-based efforts in Ohio to reduce the stigma of suicide, promote education and awareness about suicide prevention, provide training and development, and increase resources and programs that reduce the risk of lives lost to suicide.
Grant funding totaling $50,000 is available for programs supporting the prevention of older adult suicide in Ohio. The Jerry Williams Memorial Fund was established in 2023, with support from the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation, to honor the memory of Jerry Williams, who lost his life to suicide at age 74. The fund is dedicated to saving the lives of older adults, a group often lost in suicide prevention outreach activities.
Eligible applicants include Ohio-based suicide prevention organizations, programs, services, and efforts targeting Ohioans 65 and older. The application deadline is August 16, 2024. More information about the fund and the application is available at https://www.jerryswalk.org/jerrywilliams-memorialfund-application.
According to statistics by the Centers for Disease Control, suicide rates are higher per capita among older adults, particularly those over 65. Historically, less attention has been paid to research and prevention efforts targeting this age group than younger populations. The Jerry Williams Memorial Fund was created to correct this oversight. The fund supports the development of creative yet practical ideas of how best to tackle stigma and reach senior adults to reduce the rising rate of suicide among them.
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For more information about the Jerry Williams Memorial Fund, contact Sandy Williams at jerrywilliamsfund@gmail.com.
Brandon is a Sports reporter who created The Mental Game podcast after his own battle with depression and suicide. He hosts emotional interviews with athletes, musicians and celebrities to help break the stigma around mental health. The Mental Game guests include movie star Terry Crews, The Office star Kate Flannery, rapper Kevin Gates and many more. His mission is to save lives with impactful conversations about depression, anxiety and mental health.
Listen to The Mental Game podcast: https://www.mentalgamepodcast.com
Man Therapy Ohio provides information about men’s mental health and suicide prevention. It does not provide crisis response or clinical services.
If you are concerned and think you or a loved one may need immediate help, please go to your local emergency department or call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing “988” for 24/7, free and confidential support. We also have a list of mental health resources in Ohio on our website at www.mantherapy.org.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The Columbus Division of Police said its officers are responding to mental health calls every day and it wants to make sure they are equipped to handle these situations.
More than 100 officers from Columbus and more than 20 other agencies took part in a training session Wednesday focused on responding to youth in a mental health crisis.
Mental health experts hope the officers are leaving the training able to recognize when a person is having a mental health crisis.
Matt Dorgan knows firsthand just how impactful police interaction can be during a mental health crisis.
“The day that Brianna passed away, the first officers arrived were CIT (Crisis Intervention Training) officers,” Dorgan said.
Brianna is Dorgan’s daughter. She died by suicide in December 2020 at 15 years old.
“They really helped me, you know, because now I was going through a mental health crisis,” Dorgan said. “You know, it was the beginning of December. I’m laying on the parking lot, you know, sobbing with no shoes, no shirt, sobbing away and they just kind of took me under their wing,” Dorgan said.
Dorgan has a law enforcement background and his mission now is to help law enforcement agencies like Columbus improve their interaction with people going through a mental health crisis. He founded the organization Building Bridges with Brianna to do so.
Lt. Mike Voorhis with the Columbus Division of Police said he’s noticed a shift in the way the division handles mental health in the last four years. He said dealing with a youth mental health crisis can be very different than dealing with an adult.
“You show up for a child that doesn’t want to get up and go to school. Why don’t they want to go to school, when you find out there’s something else behind that,” Voorhis said.
Voorhis leads the division’s mobile crisis response unit, a team made up of five officers and one sergeant. They work seven days a week and respond to a variety of mental health calls.
“We want to help them,” Voorhis said. “We want to get out there and help the children and help people find resources that they need. So our big goal today is to provide a lot of resources for officers so that when they go to these houses, they can provide the resources to the people in the community.”
He said they use presenters from Nationwide Children’s Hospital, ADAMH and Kaleidoscope Youth Center to give officers the tools they need.
“Oftentimes the police are the first interaction in a crisis right there at the front door, and so they set the stage for all the other interactions with that crisis specifically and then any crisis that follows in that person’s lifetime,” Karly Tennant, the director of clinical services for the Franklin County ADAMH board, said.
Local mental health organizations hope the officers leave the training knowing that what they do matters and every interaction has an impact.
https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/columbus/central-ohio-officers-receive-mental-health-training
An event at the Boardman Holiday Inn focused on protecting the aging population from abuse and exploitation.
The event was put on by Direction Home of Eastern Ohio and featured speakers from a variety of organizations including Summa Health, Youngstown State University, Meridian Healthcare and the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation.
Breakout sessions covered a variety of topics including cognitive changes in people as they age, the impact hoarding can have on others, human trafficking of older adults, drug use in seniors and suicide prevention.
“There are so many individuals who never come forward and say that they’ve been financially, physically or sexually abused,” Cassandra Valentini, Communications Director for Direction Home of Eastern Ohio, said. “We’re really trying with this conference to hit all those different topics and educate our local community to make sure that we have folks out there who can address these concerns as they’re brought to our attention.”
Advocates also highlighted the warning signs and best practices to help out loved ones as they age.
June is Men’s Health Month
Stephanie Beougher
Communications Director
Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF)
stephanie.beougher@ohiospf.org
614.429.1528 ext. 113
Ohio, June 5, 2024 – June is Men’s Health Month. It’s an important time to shine a light on mental health, which can be a tough subject for some men to tackle. Man Therapy Ohio, a free men’s mental health resource website found at mantherapy.org, today released three common myths to address the stigma around men’s mental health.
Myth #1
Men can fix their own problems.
Fact: Men are the ultimate boot-strappers. So, it’s only natural that many of them believe they can fix their emotional, behavioral and mental problems themselves. Trying to fix mental disorders like depression and anxiety without professional assistance is like trying to heal a broken femur without a surgeon.
Myth #2
Men should keep their feelings to themselves.
Fact: Just because this myth has been instilled in male culture since the Jurassic Period, doesn’t make it true. It’s very important for guys to talk about their feelings, because keeping them bottled up only makes them worse. It’s time men start sharing their feelings with their friends and family members.
Myth #3
Asking for help is not manly.
Fact: Reaching out for professional support isn’t a weakness; it’s a sign of strength. Therapy isn’t just for people who are depressed or struggling with addiction. Therapy is for anyone who can use someone to talk to besides friends, family members or coworkers.
You can find additional resources for men, as well as support for those looking to help the men in their lives with mental health, on the Man Therapy Ohio website: https://mantherapy.org.
Man Therapy is being promoted throughout Ohio as a website for men. Once on the website, you might be invited to participate in a voluntary, and paid, survey project.
Man Therapy Ohio does not provide crisis response or clinical services. If you are concerned and think you or a loved one may need immediate help, please go to your local emergency department or call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing “988” for 24/7, free and confidential support.
Date: June 06, 2024
By: Brandon J. Johnson, MHS, MCHES, Chief, Suicide Prevention Branch, Center for Mental Health Services and Katie W. Deal, MPH, Public Health Advisor, Suicide Prevention Branch, Center for Mental Health Services
In the United States, someone dies by suicide every 11 minutes; the rates of suicidal behaviors have risen over the past decade; and disparities in suicide rates among certain populations are growing (PDF | 13.4 MB). There also is concern about suicide trends amid the ongoing mental health and overdose crises and on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic, in which many people experienced loss, social isolation, behavioral health problems, and inequities in health care resources, education, housing, and other suicide risk factors.
The good news is that we have made great strides to strengthen suicide prevention infrastructure, capacity, and practice in the United States since former Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher recognized suicide as a significant public health problem (1.3 MB) 25 years ago. Individuals and organizations have worked tirelessly to raise awareness about suicide; collect and analyze suicide-related data; develop partnerships and strategic plans; expand and train the workforce; develop and implement policies and programs; and conduct research and evaluation to help us understand what works, or is likely to work, to prevent suicide.
Yet despite this progress, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy notes in the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (National Strategy) that “much work remains to promote a coordinated and comprehensive approach to suicide prevention in communities across the country and at every level of government.”
On April 23, 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration released the National Strategy and first-ever Federal Action Plan (PDF | 8.3 MB) to guide our efforts over the next decade. This strategy calls on all of us to:
Reflecting current data, emerging issues, and advances in the field, the National Strategy addresses 1) community-based suicide prevention; 2) treatment and crisis services; 3) surveillance, quality improvement, and research; and, for the first time, 4) health equity and suicide prevention. Other new areas highlighted in the strategy include an expanded focus on social determinants of health, the intersection of suicide and substance use, the impact of social media on youth, and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988).
The strategy recognizes that suicide’s complexity requires approaches that address multiple risk and protective factors at many levels of influence (PDF | 13.4 MB)—such as intergenerational trauma, financial loss or instability, social connectedness, effective coping skills, lethal means safety, and equitable access to behavioral health care. The strategy also calls for the engagement of people impacted by and at risk of suicide in prevention efforts, whose experience brings vital perspective to this work.
Realizing the full vision of the National Strategy, particularly for populations most affected by suicide, will require a coordinated, comprehensive, and sustained effort by many partners. Guiding federal agencies’ efforts is a Federal Action Plan (PDF | 8.3 MB) with over 200 priority actions to be implemented, monitored, and evaluated. Examples of SAMHSA’s actions for the next three years include:
This new strategy is here to help all of us address the complex and heartbreaking issue of suicide. We invite you—whether you are part of a federal agency or national organization, SAMHSA suicide prevention grant, suicide prevention coalition, or other group—to identify how you can use the strategy to prevent suicide and promote mental wellbeing in your sphere of influence.
Some ideas of actions you can take include:
Everyone has a role to play in suicide prevention. Let’s care, connect, and collaborate together to save lives. And remember, if you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, a mental health or substance use crisis, or emotional distress, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline via phone (dial 988), chat (here), or text (send a text to 988). The Lifeline is confidential, available 24/7, and staffed by trained counselors across the country. It also has specially trained counselors for Veterans, LGBTQI+ youth and young adults, and Spanish speakers.
Colin Gay, Columbus Dispatch
For Kirk Herbstreit, Ohio State football was his “everything.”
A former five-star quarterback out of Centerville and a Buckeye legacy, Herbstreit remembers how others expected him to start for four years and win multiple Rose Bowls.
But during an appearance on “The Mental Game Podcast,” Herbstreit, who is now a college football analyst for ESPN, admitted he had difficulty adapting to Ohio State as a freshman, and it was something that nearly led him to quitting football. However, he said the football team’s psychiatrist Alfred Ferrante helped turn Herbstreit’s mindset around.
“Man, I struggled. I just could not deal with it,” Herbstreit said. “I had a really hard time adapting to it. I moved to defensive back, I was covering kickoffs and then I circled back to quarterback my last three years. And I was just at the end of the road. I was ready to quit.
“There was no NIL. There was no transfer portal. I was just ready to go play baseball and be done with football. And my dad was like, ‘Give it another spring.’ And then I ended up going to see this doctor. And I’m telling you, the courage it took in 1990-91 to go into his office, which was at Ohio Stadium – they gave him a little nook – I’ll never forget walking from my apartment, looking around my shoulder the entire time wondering if anybody saw me, knocking on his door and, even then, still kind of looking.
“Isn’t it crazy that you’re so afraid? I was like 20, 21 years old and I didn’t want people to make fun of me, just to be honest. I didn’t want people to think I was weak because of the way we were trained. But at least I had the courage to knock on his door.”
Herbstreit said he didn’t know what to talk to the psychiatrist about initially, but that the first hour-long meeting was “incredible” and something that continued for the rest of his college career.
“I really give him a lot of credit because I was (at) rock bottom to the point I wanted to quit all the way to the point where by the time I was a senior I was team MVP, I was voted most inspirational player, team captain,” Herbstreit said.
“I wasn’t an All-American. I didn’t win a Heisman. The fact (is) … I was just a hard-working guy that came in with high expectations, hit the bottom of the roster and got back up to the top. Without him, without him listening and talking to me and helping me, I’m very doubtful I would have been able to do that.”
Herbstreit became Ohio State’s starting quarterback in 1992. He led the Buckeyes to an 8-3-1 record and finished the season with a Citrus Bowl loss to Georgia. Herbstreit had 1,904 passing yards, four touchdowns and six interceptions.