“Healing is a Full-Time Job”

Content warning: sexual violence/abuse, rape, suicide For as far back as Emma can remember, she experienced sexual abuse. She explains that these encounters were so numerous throughout her childhood that she never kept count. This experience and years of survival mode shaped the way she approached everything as an adult. “Many times you hear of ‘stranger […]

Mental illness doesn’t only affect the person who has it. It can affect everyone around them.  Friends and family members might not understand what their loved one is going through, why they are acting a certain way, or what they can do to help or support them. MHAOhio’s Family Advocate Program provides support and resources […]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released a report showing an increase in deaths by suicide in 2021, compared with the previous four years. The report indicated there was an increase in suicide rates among American Indian/Alaska Natives, Black Americans, and Hispanic Americans, and individuals between the ages of 25 and 44. Michelle Vargas, Director […]

The passage of House Bill 281, The Mental Health and Disability Terminology Act, means we are one step closer to defeating the stigma surrounding people with mental illness and developmental disabilities.  We applaud the efforts of Rep. Dontavius Jarrells, D-Columbus, and Rep. Tom Young, R-Washington Township. MHAOhio was proud to be part of the coalition of organizations […]

As we approach the two-year mark of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, MHAOhio has continued to be a leader on mental health. We’ve come alongside individuals and families when they need help, fostered growth and healing inside our communities, and advocated for improved access and affordability for mental health services. To protect against COVID-19, many of […]

Dr. Cora Munoz is the President of the Ohio Asian American Health Coalition and the President of the Asian Festival Corporation in Columbus. After many years in healthcare, she now dedicates her time to improving health inequities for the vibrant Asian community in Central Ohio. “The Asian community in Columbus and throughout the state is not very large […]

April is National Alcohol Awareness month – and today, April 7, marks the annual Alcohol Screening Day. Alcohol and substance use disorders (SUDs) are a category of mental illness and sometimes can even co-occur with other mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, […]

Mental Health Month is a time to join together and raise awareness and acceptance for mental illness by sharing stories, informing and educating, and learning new strategies that can help on your journey to mental wellness. All month long, MHAOhio will be promoting Mental Health Month and we hope you will join us! Allison Mitsui […]

Humans are hardwired for connection, and that connection is not exclusive to other humans; it includes all living things. Spending time with animals can be a powerful exercise in self-care and can have a profound impact on recovery from mental illness, trauma, and substance use disorders. MHAOhio’s Statewide Mental Health First Aid Program Manager, Bailey […]

“Without inner change, there can be no outer change. Without collective change, no change matters.” ― Angel Kyodo Williams In recognition of Black History Month, we’re talking with La Shanda Sugg, LPC, founder of Labors of Love Counseling and Consulting, about dismantling oppressive ideologies through a body-based approach. Q. What do you think about Black History […]