New Youth Advisory Council Created to Empower High School Students in Suicide Prevention Efforts

COLUMBUS (OH) – High school students across Ohio have been selected for the new Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) Youth Advisory Council.

Twenty students were selected from among 50 applicants who were required to be between the ages of 14 and 19 and enrolled in an Ohio high school, which includes homeschooling, GED programs, and private or charter schools. Members were selected from different grades and counties, representing a variety of interests and groups.

“We were amazed by the number of students who applied, as well as their enthusiasm for making a difference in their communities and beyond,” said OSPF Youth Program and Policy Manager Evi Roberts. “It’s a privilege to work with such talented young people, and we are excited to see how the OSPF Youth Advisory Council shapes suicide prevention efforts across Ohio.”

Youth-led suicide prevention interventions can effectively reduce self-harm and suicidal thoughts. One peer-led model, Source of Strength, has been shown in a new study to decrease suicide attempts among high school students by 29% when implemented to fidelity.

The Youth Advisory Council will meet in Columbus this spring to review applications for youth-led grants. Funding is available for up to 10 Ohio-based activities in middle schools, junior high schools, high schools, and/or communities. Proposals are being accepted through February 21, 2025, for evidence-based or evidence-informed suicide prevention activities. These may be linked to existing programs and campaigns supported by OSPF, such as Sources of Strength and Be Present Ohio, or they can be independent initiatives like SADD and original youth-led programs. More information about the grant can be found at https://bepresentohio.org/funding-opportunities.

Funding and support for the grants comes from OSPF and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. 

Below is a list of the Youth Advisory Council students, including their schools and county of residence.

Athens County

• Kelsey Shreve, Nelsonville-York High School

Butler County

• Benjamin Svoboda, Lakota East High School

Carroll County

• Owen Ball, Malvern High School

Clark County

• Sydni Howard, Greenon High School

Clermont County

• Grayson Hardoerfer, Milford High School

Erie County

• Sierra Nunn, Huron High School

Franklin County

• Colson Smith, Upper Arlington High School

Hamilton County

• Connor Burns, Loveland High School
• Aarush Mantro, Saint Xavier High School
• Landon Oakes, Saint Xavier High School

Harrison County

• Kate Liggett, Conotton Valley High School

Huron County

• Reece Young, Bellevue High School

Lorain County

• Sylvia Nisky, Oberlin High School
• Aidan Ramirez, Marion L Steele High School

Lucas County

• Alice Krisjanis, Maumee Valley Country Day School

Montgomery County

• Daisy Jones, Oakwood High School

Richland County

• Mia Orth, Madison Comprehensive High School

Warren County

• Madison Day, William Mason High School
• Ainslee Lloyd, Franklin High School

Wood County

• Ray Brosneck, Lake High School

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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