Mental Health Promotion and Prevention
Through its focus on mental health promotion and prevention, ODMH is working to support good mental health and wellness for Ohio’s individuals, families and communities. Prevention services focus on promoting mental health; intervening early to prevent and address emerging mental health problems; decreasing the negative impact of mental illness and eliminating stigma associated with emotional problems and mental illness. The use of evidence-based, culturally-competent prevention services and collaboration between traditional and non-traditional systems are critical for successful prevention practice.
Stigma
While one in five Americans lives with a mental disorder, estimates indicate that nearly two-thirds of all people with a diagnosable mental illness do not seek treatment, especially people from diverse communities. Lack of knowledge, fear of disclosure, rejection of friends and discrimination are a few reasons why people with mental illness don’t seek help.
Eliminating stigma associated with mental illness is critical in ensuring that people seek the treatment they need. More about stigma…
Suicide Prevention
The Ohio Department of Mental Health (ODMH) is collaborating with other state and local agencies, organizations and individuals to save lives. Local suicide prevention coalitions have been formed in many counties, and a number of initiatives are currently underway to raise awareness, eliminate stigma, promote suicide prevention as a public health issue and increase help-seeking behavior. More about suicide prevention…