Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation

The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation, through the auspices of Ohio’s Campaign for Hope: Collaboration for Advancing Strategies for Youth Suicide Prevention is seeking $736,000 per annum for a five year total of $3,680,000 for Ohio’s youth ages 10-24; we estimate that 31,135 people will be served by the grant. Collaborating partners include Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services, University of Cincinnati, Old Dominion University, Case Western Reserve University, the Cleveland Clinic, the Ohio Department of Youth Services, Schools, mental health and behavioral health agencies, and medical schools throughout Ohio, Frontline Services and other hotlines, and survivors, families and youth.

OSPF has elected to serve youth ages 10 to 24 residing the state of Ohio as well as the sub-populations of college attending young adults, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, or questioning (LGBTQ) youth, military family members and veterans, those aging out of the foster care system, juvenile justice involved youth, youth hospitalized following a suicide attempt, and youth discharged from Emergency Departments. The baseline for suicide rates for youth ages 10 to 24, per 100,000 population (covering all means of death by suicide, all races, all, ethnicities, and both sexes) for the state of Ohio is 7.75 which exceeds the national average of 7.11.

The Campaign’s goals include serving: (1) gatekeepers throughout Ohio schools, medical schools, and hospitals, as well as families of veterans and at-risk middle and high school youth, (2) substance abuse, mental health and juvenile justice involved youth personnel will be provided with capacity expansion training that will improve their confidence and ability to meet the needs of those in crisis and at risk for suicide. (3) suicide attempting individuals will be provided with post-discharge services that enhance their stability and prevent future suicide attempts. We will also comprehensively implement the 2012 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. OSPF its collaborative partners will implement evidence based practices and programs aligning with SAMHSA’s priorities to meet the needs of youth, families, and adults serving youth. Planned activities include: Kognito At-Risk 6-12 (schools); Kognito LGBTQ for middle school, high school, and college educators and staff; Kognito Family of Heroes for veteran families; training in Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk for Alcohol and Drug Counselors; CAMS (Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality) training for juvenile justice and mental health counselors; Medical school curriculum incorporation of suicide specific training; crisis center follow-up calling after discharge from the Emergency Department of Inpatient hospitalization; high fidelity Wraparound in the statewide System of Care.