COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced Tuesday the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) has been awarded $2.9 million in federal funding.
The money will go toward meeting the behavioral needs of residents impacted by traumatic events such as natural disasters, mass shootings and train derailments.
“The recent train derailment in East Palestine is a prime example of how disasters can impact the well-being of individuals, families and communities,” DeWine said. “It is essential that our behavioral healthcare system is able to quickly respond to the immediate and long-term behavioral health care needs of those adversely affected by trauma. These funds will accomplish just that by strengthening Ohio’s emergency preparedness planning and ensuring a swift, coordinated response when surges in behavioral health needs inevitably occur.”
OhioMHAS, according to DeWine’s office, will use the money to establish both statewide and local partnerships, policies, procedures and protocols to create systemic changes that would allow immediate deployment of support and resources in every community after a tragedy.
The plans for the resources include development and enhancement of mobile crisis teams that can be deployed immediately, any time and anywhere in the state during the days, weeks and months after a traumatic event.
“Preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters and traumatic events is essential to the behavioral health of individuals and communities alike,” OhioMHAS Director Lori Criss said. “Although everyone reacts differently to disasters and most will return to normal, some of those affected may suffer from serious and prolonged mental or emotional distress. Finding support in a timely fashion will help people minimize negative outcomes.”
OhioMHAS works with state agencies and federal partners on disaster planning and preparedness so necessary supports can be identified and the impact can be predicted.
DeWine’s office said that, after experiencing a disaster, people will experience a variety of reactions. It said most people will be able to cope and endure the difficult situation, but some will show signs of stress, making it important to monitor the physical and emotional health of both those impacted and those responding to the disaster.
“Strength and resiliency are part of Ohio’s DNA. While this work is state led, our goal is to help local communities forge strategic partnerships and equip them with the tools they need, so that when tragedies occur, they can respond quickly to meet the emotional and behavioral health needs of impacted residents,” Criss said.
The $2.9 million comes almost a week after OhioMHAS was awarded more than $200,000 in a federal Supplemental Emergency Response grant to help meet the behavioral health needs of the East Palestine community.
