Self-care is a critical step toward better mental health

We recognize that the challenges we’ve faced have made us more aware of how important it is to take care of our own mental health and to consider the mental health of others.

And we’re proud of the commitment the Dewine administration has made to supporting mental health and substance use treatment for all Ohioans who need it, starting with the creation of Recoveryohio. This initiative coordinates and manages prevention, interdiction, treatment, and long-term recovery supports across the government.

Last month, Gov. Mike Dewine announced $169 million in investments to strengthen our behavioral health services system.

We plan to invest $85 million toward building the behavioral health work force we need, with paid internship and scholarship opportunities for students seeking related degrees and credentials at Ohio’s colleges and universities.

We are investing another $84 million in the Pediatric Behavioral Health Initiative

to increase capacity and access to care for kids and their families across the state.

This capacity-building investment comes on top of the significant resources already in place for people struggling with substance use disorder or mental health conditions:

● In 2019, we launched the Student Wellness and Success program, with $1.2 billion set aside help schools address students’ social and emotional needs.

● A $69 million investment supports the development of local crisis systems to expand crisis stabilization services for Ohioans who show signs of mental illness or addiction.

● Along with the Ohio Opioid Education Alliance, Ohio supports “Beat the Stigma,” a campaign to challenge how people think about addiction and mental health and to challenge them to know their own risk.

Even with all this, the need for even greater awareness and more resources to address mental health challenges is immense. At the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and Recoveryohio, we’re talking a lot lately about a tool everyone can use to help themselves and others. It’s called Stress First Aid, and just as CPR can save a person experiencing a heart attack, the right

intervention in a moment of stress can prevent that stress from growing into a significant mental health challenge.

It's important to recognize that stress is a normal human reaction to life challenges. It's how we manage it that determines whether it becomes debilitating. When stress is intense or prolonged, its physical and emotional responses can become harmful.

Practicing Stress First Aid can help anyone recognize and defuse stress in themselves and do the same for others. A 30-minute presentation, which you can download at bit.ly/3t5mllp, provides a thorough grounding in the basics.

In the workplace, Stress First Aid gives colleagues a common language for talking about stress. By encouraging all to recognize and address stress, it reduces stigma around mental health challenges.

It's meant to be adaptable according to different personalities and situations. The model defines four levels of stress, from optimal functioning to “ill,” which can stem from a clinical mental disorder or severe unhealed stress. If someone displays signs of stress, it defines a series of actions meant to calm and reassure the person and, if warranted, refer them to professional help.

For those who need intervention right away, Ohio maintains a free, confidential phone line staffed by trained counselors who can offer support and make referrals 24/7. You can reach the Ohiocareline at 800-720-9616.

We're very encouraged that Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services is receiving many requests for information on Stress First Aid because of the increased openness that this represents. Every conversation about stress is a blow against the stigma that discourages people from seeking the mental health help they need.

The more people realize that it's OK not to be OK and that self-care isn't selfish, the healthier our state will be.

Lori Criss is director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Aimee Shadwick is interim director of Recoveryohio.