Mental and behavioral health challenges and addiction are pervasive problems in our community.
- An estimated one in four adults in Franklin County experiences mental illness.
- Hospitalizations for psychiatric reasons and for attempted suicides have been increasing.
- A lack of psychiatric beds means these patients often turn up at hospital emergency departments, crowding those facilities until more appropriate settings can be found.
Meanwhile, it's no secret that opiate use, addiction and accidental overdoses are on the rise.
- More than 10 percent of Franklin County residents 12 or older have required treatment for substance use disorders.
- According to Franklin County Forensic Science Center, Franklin County experienced a 45.6% increase in overdose deaths in 2020 compared to 2019. Looking at 2017 to 2020, Franklin County experienced an 83.9% increase in overdose deaths.
- Heroin-related deaths have surpassed prescription opiates among unintentional overdose deaths.
National Center for Integrated Behavioral Health
This initiative supports collaboration, training, research, science-based resources and intentional integration of behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment into routine primary care.
Compassionate care
Led by our experienced team of mental and behavioral health and substance use disorder specialists, the compassionate care available at Ohio State facilities and in the community includes:
- Stable Cradle Program
Provides pregnancy and parenting education and mentoring to mothers recovering from substance use disorder living in the U.S. - STEPP Clinic
Expectant mothers with addictions to drugs or alcohol come to the Substance Use Disorder, Treatment, Education and Prevention Program (STEPP) for treatment. - Project DAWN (Deaths Avoided with Naloxone)
Ohio State is an active partner in this network of opioid overdose education and naloxone distribution programs (OENDP) coordinated by the Ohio Department of Health. - Stress Trauma and Resilience (STAR) Program
An evidence-based, trauma-informed therapy and education program developed at Ohio State. - Free and reduced-cost clinics
- Volunteer work with refugee populations who suffer from a high degree of stress
- Mental health screenings and referrals for underserved populations
- Research
- Concussion testing in the schools
- School-based mentor programs
- Community initiatives to promote safe prescription use and prevent substance use disorder
- Operation Red Box safe-needle-disposal program