The Lake County ADAMHS Board Meets with State Legislators to About Life-Saving Policy Initiatives
MEDIA RELEASE:
Contact: David Schick
The Lake County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board
Phone: 440-350-2193
Email: DSchick@LakeADAMHS.org
For Immediate Release: March 3, 2025
The Lake County ADAMHS Board Meets with State Legislators to About Life-Saving Policy Initiatives
Mentor, OH: The Lake County ADAMHS Board attended a series of key meetings at the Ohio Statehouse February 25, 2025, focused on advancing initiatives that promote suicide prevention.
Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) brought together advocates, mental health professionals, and state legislators to address the pressing issue of suicide prevention in Ohio.
“These meetings are a critical opportunity for legislators to hear firsthand from those on the front lines of suicide prevention and mental health advocacy in Ohio,” said David Schick, Director of Marketing & Communications at Lake County ADAMHS Board. “We extend our sincere thanks to Senator Jerry C. Cirino and Ohio House Representatives Jamie Callender and Daniel P. Troy, who took the time to meet with me and engage in these important conversations. Their dedication to improving mental health care and suicide prevention in Ohio is vital, and we are grateful for their commitment to making meaningful change for our communities.”
The discussions highlighted several topics, including:
- Suicide Prevention as a Collective Effort: Advocates emphasized that preventing suicide is not the responsibility of any single group. It requires collaboration among lawmakers, mental health professionals, educators, social service providers, and healthcare workers.
- The Importance of Investing in Suicide Prevention Programs: Experts discussed the immense value of suicide prevention programs, not only in saving lives but also in building a healthier and more productive workforce. These programs play a critical role in supporting Ohioans’ mental health, directly impacting the state’s economic vitality.
- Integrating Mental Health Services into Primary Healthcare Settings: A key focus was the integration of mental health screenings and services within primary healthcare settings. Providing early intervention can help identify mental health concerns before they escalate, ensuring that individuals receive the care they need promptly and effectively.
“We must have these important conversations, especially when decisions are being made about the state budget,” said OSPF Executive Director Tony Coder. “Collaboration between advocates and our state legislators is crucial in advancing policies and providing adequate funding that saves Ohioan’s lives.”
About the Lake County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board: The Lake County ADAMHS Board plans, funds, monitors, and evaluates services available to residents who are living with mental illness and/or substance use disorders. For more information, visit our website at HelpThatWorks.us
About OSPF
The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation is a nonprofit organization that works tirelessly to prevent one of our most preventable causes of death: suicide. Our work includes reducing the stigma of suicide, promoting evidence-based prevention strategies, and raising awareness about suicide’s relationship to mental illness and substance use disorders, and other factors that contribute to suicide.
###