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Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine compares the situation in Springfield to a natural disaster, suggesting the federal government provide assistance to help communities handle large surges in migrant populations. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio leaders clash over migrant influx, persistent rumors

Tensions are rising in Springfield, Ohio, as controversial claims from Sen. J.D. Vance about migrants in the area have garnered national attention…

Ohio House Bill 458 limits who can deliver absentee ballots to the voter, postal workers or specific close relatives, excluding caregivers and non-relatives. (PhotoSpirit/Adobe Stock)

Controversy erupts over Ohio's proposed drop-box ban

As Ohio gears up for the upcoming election, debates over new voting regulations are heating up. The recent proposal by Secretary of State Frank …

Research indicated between 50% and 70% of coaches are not educators in their school buildings. Although they have community support for athletics, they often miss out on the training and daily interactions that are part of being a teacher. (Anela R/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Coaching beyond the game for student growth in Ohio and elsewhere

The Coach Beyond program, started by Ohio State University's Life Sports, is making waves across Ohio by helping coaches address more than just the …

Ohio public schools have about 100,000 teachers, averaging 16 students per teacher and 220,000 non-teaching staff, averaging seven students per non-teaching position, with nearly all teachers holding a bachelor's degree or higher. (Drazen/Adobe Stock)

The quiet preparation: Ohio teachers before the first bell

As Ohio students head back to school, many parents may think the return to the classroom begins when the first bell rings but for educators, the …

Based on input from 162 caseworkers and 85 families, respecting, listening, and being vulnerable were the most important caseworker behaviors in the PACT Behavioral Research Project. (D Lahoud/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Building bridges: How PACT is redefining child welfare through relationships

The Public Children's Services Association of Ohio has launched a groundbreaking new initiative called Practice in Action Together, aimed at …

According to more than 1,000 parents surveyed nationally, the top challenges in forming classroom connections are: Too much time with technology (50%), bullying (30%) and the social effects of the pandemic (22%). (I/Adobe Stock)

Building belonging: Prioritizing mental health in Ohio schools

As Ohio students prepare for the new school year, mental health experts are highlighting the importance of belonging in the classroom. A national …

On January 1 and 2, Ohio recorded more 11.3 million betting transactions, the highest in the nation. Cincinnati led the state with 1.9 million transactions. Ohio is expected to see between $8 billion and $12 billion in bets placed in 2023.(ehrlif/Adobe Stock)

Ohio's sports betting boom and its effects

By John Hilber / Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi reporting for the Kent State NewsLab-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. In the first two days …

The Black Swamp Conservancy has grown to protect more than 175 properties since 1997, covering more than 21,000 acres. (Linda/Adobe Stock)

Grants boost environmental education and restoration in Ohio

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is awarding $271,000 in grants for environmental education projects across the state. The programs will …

Ohio House Bill 183 would also restrict students from using overnight accommodations with those of a different gender. (Andre/Adobe Stock)

Controversy continues over Ohio 'Bathroom Bill'

By Eduardo Miranda Strobel / Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi reporting for the Kent State NewsLab-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. Concerns of …

In 2017, mental-health and substance-use disorder emergency department visits in the United States cost more than $5.6 billion, according to federal data. (Adobe Stock)

988 mental-health crisis hotline reaching more Ohio communities

More households, workplaces and schools are struggling with mental-health crises, and a new report by the advocacy group Inseparable highlights how …

Rather than seeking help, men are more likely to externalize emotions, which leads to aggressive, impulsive, coercive and/or noncompliant behavior, according to a study by the American Psychological Association. (Adobe Stock)

OH advocates seek to change attitudes about men's mental health

June is Men's Mental Health Month and advocates in Ohio and elsewhere are working to eliminate the shame or judgment guys often face when they struggl…

Chronic absence from school may be driving learning loss. Some 30% of students, about 14.7 million, were chronically absent in 2021-2022, nearly double pre-pandemic rates, according to new data from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Adobe Stock) <br />

Report: Ohio make has made some progress on child well-being

Math and reading proficiency among Ohio kids has worsened over the past five years, according to new data. The latest Kids Count Data Book from the …

Ohio's Area Agency on Aging District 5 helps older adults by providing clients with transportation, helping them get caregivers and encouraging them to get out of the house more often. (Nattakorn/Adobe Stock)

Experts say Ohio’s older adults need mental health support

By Mara O'Malley for Kent State News Lab.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi reporting for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. …

Seg�n el Centro para el Control y la Prevenci�n de Enfermedades, los ni�os necesitan visitas peri�dicas al pediatra y al dentista para seguir su desarrollo y detectar pronto los problemas de salud, que suelen ser m�s f�ciles de tratar. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio ocupa el 5to. lugar del país en número de niños expulsados de Medicaid/CHIP

Más de 120,000 niños de Ohio han sido dados de baja de Medicaid y del Programa de Seguro Médico para Niños o CHIP, y la mayorí…

Children need regular well-child and dental visits to track their development and find health problems early, when they're usually easier to treat, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Ohio among top states for number of kids kicked off Medicaid, CHIP

More than 120,000 Ohio kids have been disenrolled from Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program or CHIP, and most were removed for …

From 2017 to 2019, Ohio ranked 46th among 50 states for pollution exposure, including exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution. (Halfpoint/Adobe Stock)

Researchers link air pollution with dementia risk

Recent data ranks Columbus as the most polluted major city in the U.S., highlighting concerns about common pollutants, like smog and vehicle …

Toxic stress increases the risks for obesity, diabetes, depression and other illnesses. (Adobe Stock)

Psychiatrist explains links between toxic stress, poor health

The alarming rise in rates of diabetes, obesity, depression, and other chronic health issues has put the spotlight on toxic stress. Lawson Wulsin…

Out-of-school suspensions contribute to Ohio's high chronic absenteeism rates, according to a new report from the Children's Defense Fund of Ohio. (Adobe Stock)

Suspensions, expulsions on rise in Ohio schools, report finds

Ohio's Black students are more likely to face excessively harsh discipline practices such as expulsion and suspension, according to a recently …

A new survey of parents in predominantly Appalachian Ohio counties find most had positive experiences with a new social work model called Ohio Sobriety Treatment and Reducing Trauma. (Adobe Stock) <br />

Peer-mentor centered program helps Ohio families struggling with substance use

An evidenced-based social work model to help parents struggling with substance use stay connected to their children is offering hope to Ohio counties …

Ohio has around 15,000 children currently in foster care, according to state data. (Adobe Stock/Generated with AI)<br />

New Ohio children’s services model aims to promote family healing

A first-of-its-kind social work model aims to provide struggling Ohio families with personalized attention and resources. Mike Kenney - director of …

Nationwide, Black adults had higher prevalence of high blood pressure and were less likely to have their blood pressure under control compared with white adults, according to data from United Health Foundation. (Adobe Stock)

Report: More Ohioans struggling with chronic diseases

The number of Ohioans living with kidney disease has jumped by 60%, and arthritis, diabetes and other chronic conditions are on the rise, according …

The stress of farming is compounded for racial and other minorities, a new study suggests. (Adobe Stock)<br />

For beginning nontraditional farmers, stress is a constant

Women, LGBTQ, and minority farmers in Ohio face compounding stressors, according to a study from Ohio State University. Researchers surveyed and …

In 2022, more than 2,593,000 children lived in Ohio, according to the Annie. E Casey Foundation. (Adobe Stock)<br />

New advisory board helps Ohio parents increase advocacy

Ohio parents say they're concerned about the childcare crisis, mental health and gun violence, among other issues that have prompted some to join a …

Ohio drug-related deaths rose between 2015 and 2021. In May 2020, there were 574 drug overdose deaths, the most of any month during that period. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates consider best uses for OH opioid funds

Ohio community advocates are evaluating how funds from the OneOhio plan should be used. The OneOhio plan uses the $2 billion awarded to the state …

Aimee Clemson-Rich was recently honored with the 2023 PCSAO Child Advocate of the Year award. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Ohio caseworkers strive to keep families together, reduce trauma for kids

The opioid crisis continues to plaque communities across Ohio, and according to the state Department of Job and Family Services, more than 3,000 Ohio …

According to Mental Health America, nearly 20% percent of adults, or 50 million Americans nationwide, are experiencing some form of mental illness. (Adobe Stock)

On World Mental Health Day, experts urge self-care

Today is World Mental Health Day, and according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, nearly 2 million Ohioans live in a community with a short …

About one in four women, and nearly one in 10 men, have experienced sexual violence, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Support for OH domestic violence survivors for substance use, mental health

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and in the last few years, Ohio has seen an increase in both the number and severity of …

Climate change board games emphasize teamwork and group success. Either all players win together, or no one survives. (dvande/Adobe Stock)

Board games help players understand climate change

By Debra J. Rosenthal for The Conversation.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi for Ohio News Connection for the Public News Service-Conversation …

The Student Assistance Program in some Ohio schools connects students with tools in order to remove obstacles to learning, and is now incorporating mental-health resources. (Rosalie Murphy/Kent State NewsLab).<br />

Ohio schools experiment with 'sensory rooms,' post-pandemic

By Nathalia Teixeira for Kent State News Lab.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan reporting for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration…

In 2023, nearly two-thirds of Medicare enrollees are in individual plans that are open for general enrollment, according to KFF. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Tips for Comparing Healthcare Plans This Enrollment Season

Ohio experts say understanding a health care plan's benefits and comparing plans are critical for ensuring people have the coverage they need and keep…

In 2021, in the wake of the COVID outbreak, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a national state of emergency in children's mental health. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio's Foster Care Crisis Forcing Hundreds of Kids to Sleep in Offices

By Cathy Candisky for the Public Children Services Association of Ohio.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan reporting for the Public Children Services …

Sexual assault in the home is a leading cause of homelessness among women and girls, according to the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence. (Adobe Stock)

OH Program Provides Housing for Sexual Violence Survivors

Sexual assault survivors in Ohio can now access short-term emergency housing through a new program run by the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence…

Nationwide, around 1.7 million current Medicaid enrollees would not meet work or reporting requirements and could lose coverage if work requirements were implemented, according to a new Kaiser Family Foundation analysis. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Medicaid Work Requirements May End Up Costing Taxpayers

House Republicans continue to push Medicaid work requirements in negotiations over the federal debt ceiling. In Ohio, one group said work …

In 2022, more than 1 in 10 middle and high school students nationwide had used a tobacco product during the past 30 days, according to data from the Food and Drug Administration's Annual National Youth Tobacco Survey. (Adobe Stock)

In Ohio, Tobacco Use Remains a Public Health Challenge

Smoking, mostly in the form of e-cigarettes or vapes, continues to pose serious public-health threats to Ohio communities, according to the latest …

More than 34 million Americans have provided unpaid care to an adult age 50 or older in the last 12 months, according to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. (Adobe Stock)

November Events Highlight Resources for Ohio Family Caregivers

The spotlight is on family caregivers during November, National Family Caregivers Month. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in Ohio…

Ohio's anti-bullying laws and regulations do not include protections for specific groups. (Adobe Stock)

Bullying: A Scary Situation for One-in-Five Students

It's the last day of National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month, and experts are reminding Ohioans to be aware of the patterns within bullying…

Ohio hospitals had more than 14,000 encounters for opioid overdoses in 2021. (Adobe Stock)

Nurse to Candidates: Opioid Crisis Should be "Front and Center" in Ohio

Overdose deaths in Ohio are on track to fall below the record pace of last year, but the opioid crisis is far from over. The group Harm Reduction …

After a positive anxiety screening, an assessment from a mental-health professional can determine if a patient should be diagnosed with a specific anxiety disorder. (Adobe Stock)

Anxiety: Experts Say Don't Suffer in Silence

Expanded anxiety screenings could have a long-term positive impact on the health of Ohioans, according to mental-health experts. The U.S. Preventive …

Research suggests that with intensive support, parents can overcome addiction and be reunited with their children as part of their recovery. (Adobe Stock)

Recovery Month: Ohio START Shows Success in Reuniting Families

September is National Recovery Month, and a program in Ohio is showing success in healing families who have struggled with addiction. Ohio START (…

Quality housing, safe neighborhoods and access to quality education are among the factors that affect residents' health outcomes within a community. (Adobe Stock)

New Grants Fuel Projects to Improve Ohio Health Outcomes

A new program in Ohio is focused on raising the voices of people in communities consistently experiencing health disparities. The Ohio Department of …

Some educators say kids continue to struggle with social skills and mental health challenges in the aftermath of the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Schools Seek to Adapt to Mental Health Crisis

By Andrew Kuder / Broadcast version by Mary Schuermann reporting for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. Over the past few years…

A new report finds Ohio school districts in metropolitan or urban areas have experienced a 27.7% increase in chronic absenteeism in recent school years. (Adobe Stock)

Chronic Absenteeism, Depression, Anxiety Plague Ohio Kids

Children's advocacy groups are sounding the alarm about the well-being of Ohio's kids. The 2022 Kids Count Data Book released today highlights some …

In a new report, 8.7% of adults age 65+ in Ohio reported frequent mental distress. (Adobe Stock)

Older Adults Report Troubling Struggles with Mental Health

Among the needs highlighted during Mental Health Awareness Month are those for older adults. It's become a serious challenge, says a new America's …

Ohio teens are 4% less likely to have used drugs in the past month than the average teen in the United States. (Prevention Action Alliance)">

Ohio Youth Council: Drug, Alcohol Use is Not the Norm

Hundreds of Ohio teens join together today to bust myths about teenage substance use. The "We Are The Majority" rally promotes the fact that most …

Around 34% of Ohioans recently polled reported symptoms of anxiety or depression. (Adobe Stock)

Pandemic Got You Down? Boost Mental Health With Time Outdoors

By Trista Bowser at Kent State UniversityBroadcast version by Mary Schuermann reporting for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration…

Around 1.5 million Ohioans have some college, but no degree or credential. (Adobe Stock)

Despite Stresses, Study Shows Students Value Higher Education

In the wake of stresses, disruptions and losses due to COVID-19, research shows the majority of college and university students who stopped out over …

Roughly one in five minors reports drinking alcohol, although research shows underage consumption can disrupt normal growth and development. (Adobe Stock)

Underage Drinking Prevention Gets Boost from Congress

Programs designed to help curb a prevalent problem among Ohio teens are poised to get a financial boost. The $1.5 trillion spending bill passed by …

According to a new report, Ohio foster children must sometimes be transported out-of-state to find a placement that can meet their needs. (Adobe Stock)

Nowhere to Go: Ohio Children Services Placement Crisis

Ohio's Children Services agencies say they are becoming the destination for young people with all kinds of intensive or "high-acuity" needs. A new …

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OH: Mental Health