Ohio Department of Health Director Bruce Vanderhoff, M.D. announced Jan. 5 that the Public Health Fund of Ohio has awarded a total of $350,000 to seven suicide prevention coalitions across Ohio, including $50,000 for Cuyahoga County, according to a news release.
Coalitions in Darke, Hamilton, Highland/Pike, Licking, Logan and Lucas counties also received $50,000, the release said.
They will use the funding for suicide prevention strategies and approaches aimed at helping youth and young adults ages 10 to 24 years, according to the release.
The Public Health Fund of Ohio was created in July 2020 to support the mission of the Ohio Department of Health by advancing the health and wellbeing of all Ohioans and also to support the agency’s State Health Improvement Plan, the release said.
“The Ohio Department of Health is pleased to see these grants awarded and that our state’s young people will have more opportunities to get the help they need,” Vanderhoff, who also is chairman of the Public Health Fund of Ohio board in the release. “(The Ohio Department of Health) is looking forward to the fund being used to advance other important programs that will improve the health of Ohioans.”
The seven coalitions will be eligible for a second grant of up to $50,000 in late 2024, according to the release.
Twenty-seven coalitions were eligible to apply for funding based on data measures from the Ohio Department of Health.
Coalitions are encouraged to use strategies and approaches promoted in the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation’s Plan and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Suicide Prevention Resource for Action, the release said.
These resources underscore the importance of strengthening economic supports, lessening harms and preventing future risk, improving access and delivery of suicide care, identifying and supporting those at risk, creating protective environments, teaching coping and problem-solving skills, and promoting healthy connections, the release said.
“Our youth represent Ohio’s future, and we want to see that those who are in crisis can get the help they need to go on to live healthy, productive lives,” said Kara Wente, director of the Ohio Department of Children and Youth in the release. “These grants will ensure that more young people get that help.”
For more information about the Public Health Fund of Ohio, visit https://www.publichealthfundohio.org/.
