Due to an unforeseen circumstance, we need to reschedule our winter meet and greet that was scheduled for this Saturday, December 10th. We will be sending out the new date/time as soon as possible.

Thank you, and we hope to see you soon!

Join us on Saturday, December 10th from 10:00-11:00 AM for our winter meet and greet! This is a great opportunity for members and those interested in joining OCA to connect and network with one another. OCA Leadership will be present to provide updates on the organization, along with special guest Sean Gorby, Government Relations Committee Chair.

We encourage you to invite your colleagues and spread the word!

The zoom link is provided below.

Topic: OCA December Meet & Greet
Time: Dec 10, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81096144626?pwd=TVNEbkR0Y0twTTUzbENiemtqMmFIdz09
Meeting ID: 810 9614 4626
Passcode: 154276

Register to attend the All Ohio Counselors Conference (AOCC) from October 17-19, 2022 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Columbus. Visit our AOCC Webpage for links to registration, hotel reservations, and volunteering!

Early bird discount ends on October 1!

AHC Emerging Leaders Program 2023-2024

Thank you for considering our Emerging Leaders Program!

The AHC Emerging Leaders program was developed to allow students and new professionals to participate in AHC activities, receive mentorship, and connect with professional networking opportunities.

Emerging Leaders are selected to serve from July to July of each AHC fiscal year. Master’s level students, doctoral level students, and new professionals (having graduated in the past year) will be selected as AHC emerging leaders. Recipients must be an AHC member at the time of application. Emerging Leaders choose an area of interest within the division and receive mentoring related to that area. Emerging Leaders will provide a minimum of 50 hours of service to an AHC committee, project, or task over the course of the year, and they will be assigned a mentor with whom they will connect each month. Emerging Leaders will also have opportunities to learn the responsibilities associated with serving in elected leadership positions within AHC. They will also receive FREE conference registration for the AHC conference for the year they are an Emerging Leader.

Emerging Leaders will be featured in our newsletter and recognized at the annual AHC conference.

Please email the Emerging Leaders Program Co-Chairs at ahcemergingleaders@gmail.com with questions. Emerging Leaders Program Co-Chairs are Drs. Amy Barth and Caroline Perjessy.

Interested applicants should submit their application to ahcemergingleaders@gmail.com by December 1, 2022.

1. The Emerging Leaders application
2. Your Curriculum vitae/resume
3. Two brief reference letters describing your leadership skills and experiences, and your value of humanistic practices (letters cannot come from members of the AHC selection committee of the AHC Board) 

Send application materials to the Emerging Leaders Program Chair no later than December 1 of the year you wish to apply (Note your Emerging Leader year would begin the following July).  The selection committee will notify you of the status of their application within approximately 30 days.

Counseling graduate students*, are you interested in volunteering at AOCC 2022 for a discounted registration rate

We have several opportunities available Conference greeter and line manager, registration desk help - badge distribution, and/or badge scanner for CEUs

For more info and to schedule your volunteer time slot(s), click here: https://aocc.site/volunteer

*Counseling graduate student volunteer only; student ID will be verified on site

Join us on Monday, September 12th from 7:00-8:00 PM for the first of our quarterly meet and greets! This is a great opportunity for members and those interested in joining OCA to connect and network with one another. OCA Leadership will also be present to provide updates on the organization. Save the date and spread the word!

The zoom link is provided below.

September 12th, 2022; 7-8pm

Topic: OCA September Meet & Greet
Time: Sep 12, 2022 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87670126153?pwd=ODNZQWNGMWFMU3d0RzBoWnR5NFZWZz09
Meeting ID: 876 7012 6153
Passcode: 895248

It's that time again for the OCA Awards Nominations. Submissions are being received now until September 21st. Don't wait...submit TODAY!! 

We are excited to accept submissions that can include letters of support in Word, and in Presentation/PPT, Video, Audio options. 

I am sure there is an OCA Colleague you know who is deserving of being recognized for service to the profession. Nominate the person today!

Here is the list of awards. Check out the nomination form OCA Awards Nomination Form for details about each award, the criteria, and submission guidelines.  

• CHARLES “CHUCK” WEAVER AWARD
• DAVE BROOKS AWARD
• HERMAN J. PETERS AWARD
• SUSAN J. SEARS COUNSELOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
• RESEARCH AND WRITING AWARD
• PUBLIC POLICY AND LEGISLATION AWARD
• GRADUATE STUDENT AWARD
• PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP AWARD
• TOM DAVIS OUTSTANDING MENTORING AWARD

 

CLICK THE LINK ---> OCA Awards Nomination Form

Greetings, OCA Members!

This is a final reminder that the OCA is hosting a digital t-shirt design contest. T-shirt designs should be centered around the counseling profession and be representative of the OCA. Submissions will be accepted via email, with pdf, jpeg, or png formats preferred. T-shirt designs must be original works.

Email submissions to stacistessmer@gmail.com by Friday, August 12th @ 5pm.

This is a great opportunity to promote the OCA and potentially win a reduced registration rate for AOCC 2022 through engaging with creativity!

Once all submissions are received, OCA members will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite from August 15th through August 19th. The winner will be announced on August 22nd and will be contacted via email with details on their reduced registration to AOCC 2022.

I hope you all will consider participating!

Take care,

Staci

Join us for our quarterly meet and greets! This is a great opportunity for members and those interested in joining OCA to connect and network with one another. OCA Leadership will also be present to provide updates on the organization. Save the dates and spread the word!

Below are the zoom links for the meetings.

September 12th, 2022 7-8pm

Topic: OCA September Meet & Greet
Time: Sep 12, 2022 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87670126153?pwd=ODNZQWNGMWFMU3d0RzBoWnR5NFZWZz09
Meeting ID: 876 7012 6153
Passcode: 895248

December 10th, 2022 10-11am

Topic: OCA December Meet & Greet
Time: Dec 10, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81096144626?pwd=TVNEbkR0Y0twTTUzbENiemtqMmFIdz09
Meeting ID: 810 9614 4626
Passcode: 154276

March 13th, 2023 7-8pm

Topic: OCA March Meet & Greet
Time: Mar 13, 2023 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89472781162?pwd=cDVjeU9tMWJaQnkxakhPM3gyQ1FRZz09
Meeting ID: 894 7278 1162
Passcode: 866260

June 10th, 2023 10-11am

Topic: OCA June Meet & Greet
Time: Jun 10, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89620093674?pwd=UldCS0RuMXU2dllYQXd6MDBFVVI2Zz09
Meeting ID: 896 2009 3674
Passcode: 729535

State of Ohio Ready for Transition to New, Nationwide 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

July 13, 2022 | MHA

(COLUMBUS, OH) -- Following 18 months of careful preparation, the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) is pleased to announce that Ohioans experiencing suicidal crisis, mental health or addiction-related distress will soon be able to call 988, an easy-to-remember three-digit number to access free, 24/7, confidential support for themselves or loved ones. The nationwide 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline goes live on Saturday, July 16.

“Mental health is just as important as physical health,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “988 is a statewide resource that will quickly connect anyone who needs immediate support or crisis treatment to a trained counselor who can listen and connect them with resources. I encourage Ohioans who are in crisis themselves, or helping someone who is, to call 988 for help.”

In 2020, Congress designated the new 988 dialing code to operate through the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s (NSPL) network of more than 200 locally operated and funded crisis centers across the country. The service was established to improve access to crisis services in a way that meets the nation’s growing suicide and mental health related crisis care needs. The existing 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) launched in 2005 and will remain active following the transition to 988, as will local helplines and hotlines, keeping important safety nets in place.

“Too often Ohioans in crisis don’t know where to turn for help, and the stigma of asking can keep them from reaching out,” said OhioMHAS Director Lori Criss. “We are working to change all this in Ohio. Moving to a 3-digit crisis number helps increase the visibility of the help available to Ohioans experiencing a mental health or addiction crisis,” said Director Criss. “988 is more than just an easy-to-remember number—it is a direct connection to a compassionate person on the other line who is trained to provide support to anyone in distress – whether that is thoughts of suicide, emotional distress, or substance use crisis.”

To prepare for implementation, Ohio expanded the number of NSPL-affiliated call centers to 19, ensuring Ohioans in all 88 counties have access to coverage and support. Starting July 16 when Ohioans dial 988, they can expect to hear a greeting message while their call is routed to the local Lifeline network crisis center (based on the caller’s area code – see map here). A trained crisis counselor will answer the phone, listen to the caller, provide support, and connect them to additional resources if needed.

Some may struggle with “should I call 911 or 988?” Director Criss explained, “The 988 number will become well known over time, just like 911. We want people to think about: 1. Is this a fire or police emergency or imminent danger to life? CALL 911. 2. Do I need help related to thoughts of suicide, mental health or addiction crisis? CALL 988.”

The Lifeline provides live crisis center phone services in English and Spanish and uses Language Line Solutions to provide translation services in over 250 additional languages for people who call 988. The 988 dialing code will also be available nationwide for text or chat (English only).

“The transition to 988 is another important step in strengthening and transforming crisis care in Ohio,” said RecoveryOhio Director Aimee Shadwick. “Governor DeWine has prioritized making person-centered care more visible, accessible, and effective, and 988 will serve as a front door into Ohio’s crisis care system.”

There are urgent realities driving the need for crisis service transformation across the United States. In 2020 alone, the U.S. had one death by suicide about every 11 minutes—and for people aged 10 – 34 years, suicide is a leading cause of death. Additionally, from April 2020 to 2021, over 100,000 individuals died from drug overdoses. Numerous studies have shown that most Lifeline callers are significantly more likely to feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed, and more hopeful after speaking to a Lifeline crisis counselor. Studies have shown that approximately 80 percent of calls made to a crisis line can be resolved through a phone conversation, alleviating burdens on local law enforcement and hospital systems.

OhioMHAS has identified federal funding to support the implementation and year one of operations for 988. During this first year of operations OhioMHAS will carefully monitor call volumes and system needs and continue working with the General Assembly to identify funding for long-term sustainability of 988.

In recent years, Ohio has prioritized $69 million in state GRF dollars to strengthen and support crisis services in communities throughout the state. In March, Governor DeWine devoted a significant portion of his State of the State Address to his vision for the future of behavioral health in Ohio. In May, he announced his proposal to infuse $85 million in federal resources to strengthen and expand Ohio’s behavioral health care workforce to help meet rising demand for mental health and substance use disorder treatment and recovery support services. Governor DeWine also announced an $84 million Pediatric Behavioral Health Initiative. On July 1, Governor DeWine announced the launch of OhioRISE – a first-ever, highly-specialized behavioral health program for Ohio children with complex behavioral health needs.

 

# # #

 

A national 988 public awareness campaign is not expected until 2023. OhioMHAS and the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration have provided many resources to help Ohio communities understand the transition to 988 and communicate the change to residents.

 

Additional Resources:

Ohio 988 Fact Sheet

Ohio 988 FAQ

When to Call 911/When to Call 988

Local Partner Toolkit (logos and more)

Ohio 988 Lifeline Providers Coverage Map

OhioMHAS 988 Resource Page

June 16, 2022 Media Briefing Slides

B-Roll Footage of Typical NSPL Call Center