As the year draws to a close, we’re rounding up some of the most memorable moments and highlights from 2023. Together with community partners and a strong network of providers, the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County (ADAMH) worked to strengthen crisis care and increase awareness of mental health and addiction services.
Crisis Care Center Becoming a Reality
In early February, community partners gathered to celebrate the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Franklin County Crisis Care Center on-site at the property located at 465 Harmon Ave. Construction has been processing on schedule, and the project team gathered for a topping out in July. Drone footage has recorded construction progress throughout the year, with the latest from September available for viewing. In November, another milestone occurred. With an additional $1 million given by Columbus City Council, the nearly $60 capital campaign goal was met—leaving the center’s construction fully funded.
Read more about crisis care center funding >>
Talking Openly About Mental Health
In honor of Mental Health Month in May, we asked partners from across the central Ohio community to share their thoughts on the importance of prioritizing mental health. Some even shared how they take care of their own mental health. We posted a series of videos on social media throughout the month to help destigmatize mental health and start a conversation.
View an archive of the Mental Health Month videos on YouTube >>
New Faces of Help, Healing, Health and Hope
In May, ADAMH’s marketing campaign, Help, Healing, Health and Hope, was updated to feature 11 individuals from our network as the new faces of the campaign. By incorporating individuals with lived experience into the campaign, it elevates the voices of those who are touched by the network.
Read more about the individuals featured >>
Responding to Veterans in Crisis
In June, ADAMH and the Columbus Division of Police hosted a full-day training to help law enforcement better respond to veterans in crisis. This advanced Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training was specifically focused on veterans as they experience mental health issues at a higher rate than civilians. More than 100 police officers from the City of Columbus and seven other local jurisdictions participated.
Read more about the advanced CIT training >>
988 Turns One
In July, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline reached its one-year anniversary. This three-digit number provides free, confidential support for those who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, a mental health or substance use related crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress. To mark the one-year milestone, we talked with North Central Mental Health Services, one of the two ADAMH providers that serve as 988 operators in Franklin County.
Read more about local 988 operations after year 1 >>
Increasing Access to Lifesaving Medication
In August, ADAMH announced a partnership with Ohio State to make naloxone, the lifesaving overdose reversal medication, available for emergency public use at 28 locations across The Ohio State University campus and Wexner Medical Center. This is part of ADAMH’s NaloxBox project, an effort to install emergency overdose kits in easily accessible and public-facing locations through community partnerships.
Read more about the Ohio State partnership >>
Bringing Together Voices in Behavioral Health Crisis Response
On Oct. 17, ADAMH’s 2023 Annual Meeting convened network providers, community partners and elected officials to highlight the work being done to enhance behavioral health crisis response. Dr. John Draper, a national expert on behavioral health crisis services, gave a keynote address focused on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Following the keynote address, local leaders in mobile crisis response joined Dr. Draper on stage to discuss mobile crisis response models—another important element to the continuum of crisis care.
Read more about the annual meeting and watch replays of these segments >>