COLUMBUS (OH) – The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) announced today grant funding awards to enhance projects and programs that focus on suicide prevention resources and strategies for Ohio youth eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
More than $680,000 will be distributed to 17 organizations. The projects include expanding mental health services for youth, providing suicide prevention training for youth and adults, and offering mental health mentoring programs for families affected by cancer.
“These projects will make a real impact in the lives of thousands of youth people and families across Ohio,” said OSPF Project Coordinator Monaé James. “With a range of initiatives tailored to address specific community needs, we are empowering organizations to foster resilience and provide essential support.”
The funding has been approved by the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. The funds will be distributed by June 30th to the following organizations:
| City or County | Organization | Award Amount | Summary |
| Akron | Asian Services in Action | $50,000 | Assessments, screenings, referrals:mental health seminars for refugee and immigrant populations,monthly youth healing circles, stigma reduction campaign, and culturally appropriate programming |
| Akron | Himalayan Arts Language and Cultural Academy (HALA) | $30,000 | Culturally responsive interventions,workshops, community engagement and crisis support, and youth and family support services |
| Beachwood | Right Direction Behavioral Health Services | $35,000 | Youth-focused suicide prevention initiative including workshops, teen training, mental health support, community outreach, and engagement |
| Canfield | Educational Service Center of Eastern Ohio | $33,000 | Expand training, early intervention, and crisis response, including a resource guide, QPR (Question. Persuade. Respond), and workshops |
| Cincinnati | Black Women Cultivating Change | $30,000 | QPR and Mental Health First Aid trainings |
| Cleveland | Enduring the Course | $40,000 | Expand mental health services for youth, peer-to-peer support, crisis intervention, and community outreach and engagement |
| Cleveland | Project Lift Services | $50,000 | Utilizing an Outreach RV to work directly in neighborhoods for mental health support, prevention, and education: support targeted interventions, school-based support programs, and community-based educational campaigns |
| Cleveland | Removing the Stigma | $45,000 | Youth community outreach and engagement, QPR and Mental Health First Aid for Youth, and recognize youth champions for mental health awareness |
| Columbus | ArkBuilders | $44,500 | Increase outreach and awareness campaign with youth engagement and involvement, stigma reduction campaign, host workshops for parents/ caregivers, expanding culturally responsive efforts, and support Bantu Hope Youth Leadership Academy |
| Columbus | Just 4 Them | $50,000 | Group mental health education / suicide prevention, engagement activities and parent sessions, and assessment and referral |
| Columbus | Mental Health America of Ohio, Franklin County Suicide Prevention Foundation | $10,000 | Youth QPR training, and lockbox distribution |
| Columbus | Our Helpers | $35,000 | QPR and Mental Health First Aid for Youth, and stigma reduction campaign |
| East Cleveland | My Sister’s Keeper | $50,000 | Mentoring mental health programs for cancer-affected families, advocacy and education, and wellness kits |
| Franklin County | NAMI Franklin County | $50,000 | Youth-focused suicide prevention activities, including training |
| Independence | Legacies Empowered | $30,000 | QPR and Mental Health First Aid for Youth |
| Lorain County | Lorain County Suicide Prevention Coalition | $50,000 | Implement Black Girl Rising |
| Maple Heights | Pregnant with Possibilities | $50,000 | HOPE Program to reduce suicide in the perinatal and postnatal period through workshops, resources, education, and awareness |
TANF is a federally funded, state-run program that helps income-eligible families experiencing financial hardship pay for food, housing, home energy, and childcare.
About OSPF:
The OSPF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing suicide across Ohio. OSPF works to reduce the stigma surrounding suicide, promote evidence-based prevention strategies, and raise awareness about suicide’s connection to mental health, substance use disorders, and other contributing factors.
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