Buckeye Reporter

Mike DeWine, Governor of Ohio, announced the introduction of a new Suicide Prevention Toolkit aimed at providing resources to prevent suicide and support mental health across the state. The announcement was made on the social media platform X.

"We want everyone to know that hope and help are always within reach," said Mike Dewine. "That's why we're honoring Suicide Prevention Month this September with a new resource to help Ohioans take meaningful steps toward preventing suicide and supporting mental health."

According to the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services (OhioMHAS), the toolkit is being highlighted during Suicide Prevention Month as a crucial resource for communities. It offers strategies to promote the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, strengthen local coalitions, and expand awareness campaigns. The toolkit is designed to equip schools, agencies, and civic groups with tools to coordinate prevention messaging and encourage help-seeking behavior statewide.

Suicide continues to be a growing public health concern in Ohio. USAFacts reports that the state's age-adjusted suicide rate in 2022 was 15.0 per 100,000 residents—an increase of nearly 34% over two decades. Men constitute the majority of these deaths, with rural Appalachian counties such as Vinton reporting suicide rates significantly higher than the state average.

Evidence indicates that suicide prevention programs can reduce mortality rates when widely implemented. A study published in BMC Psychiatry found that countries with national prevention strategies experienced measurable declines in suicide rates, particularly among men aged 25–64. Researchers say these results demonstrate that structured prevention initiatives can improve outcomes across vulnerable demographics.

DeWine has served as governor of Ohio since 2019 after terms as attorney general and U.S. senator. According to his official biography and Wikipedia, he has emphasized public health and wellness by creating the RecoveryOhio initiative to expand behavioral health access and releasing Ohio’s 2024–2026 Suicide Prevention Plan as part of his administration’s mental health priorities.

The Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) is responsible for overseeing prevention, treatment, and recovery programs for mental illness and substance use in the state. As explained by the ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County, OhioMHAS leads initiatives like the Zero Suicide framework, funds community-based prevention services, and supports the Suicide Prevention Toolkit to guide crisis response and awareness efforts.