Cincinnati Board of Health sees cuts in federal funding, increases in state funding

Attendees:

• Vice Mayor and Committee Chair Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney
• President Pro Tem and Committee Co Chair Victoria Parks
• Council Member Scotty johnson
• Council Member Anna Albi

The Healthy Neighborhoods Committee meeting took place at Cincinnati City Hall at 801 Plum Street, in room 300. Vice Mayor and Committee Chair Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney called the meeting to order at 12:38 p.m.

This meeting’s theme was suicide prevention in acknowledgement of September as Suicide Prevention Month. This meeting will focus on community resources that support those with challenges in this area, especially addressing youth suicide prevention. 

Presenting Organizations:

• 1n5
• Madi’s House 
• GRO Community 

1N5

1N5 is a local non-profit organization that focuses on removing stigmas about mental health and promoting wellness in the community. 

Ashley Gray and Kelly Barry, program managers at 1N5, shared that it is taking individuals living with mental illness an average of 11 years to access mental health resources.  Suicide is the second leading cause of death in children, and one in 10 students have attempted suicide. 

Westwood is the neighborhood with the most suicides this year. There were five completed suicides in Westwood and nine attempts.

Gray encourages committee and community members to “become stigma-breakers.”

Current programs supporting suicide prevention include 1N5’s QPR (Question, Persuade, Prefer) training which provides tools for supporting individuals with mental health challenges and guiding them toward help. 

QPR is offered twice a month with free option. IN5 also offers free gun locks to support the cause. . Visit 1N5.org for more information on programming.

Barry highlighted burnout as a leading cause of suicide in adults, with symptoms very similar to those caused by clinical depression. Marked changes in how someone is showing up is typically a cue that support may be needed.

Albi added: three in five of the gun deaths in Cincinnati are a result of suicide, and also said the  Cincinnati Police Department allows community members to store firearms for free for up to six months.

Johnson added: “It is okay to not be okay,” and community members must become comfortable with these sentiments, and then offer connection to resources.

Madi’s House

Julie Raleigh, CEO of Madi’s House, and , Casey Roeder, Madi’s House program director, presented the organization’s mission to the committee.

Madi’s House, a mental health hangout for young adults, was founded after Julie and Steve Raleigh lost their daughter to suicide. 

Madi struggled with drug and alcohol addiction. She had the idea for a safe gathering place for those struggling with mental illness, addiction, and other after effects of trauma. Madi’s House offers mental health-based programming that supports sobriety, and promotes healthy recreation.

With a goal of breaking transportation and childcare barriers for members, Madi’s House offers rides to and from events and on-site babysitting services.This summer, Madi’s House launched the SPARK pilot program – a week-long day camp for teens who attempted suicide or struggle with deep mental health issues.

To further support their growing population of 2,679 members, Madi’s House is raising funds to build a new location and fitness and wellness center. 

Madi’s House will host a second anniversary celebration on Dec. 10.

GRO (God Restoring Order) Community recognizes that healing requires more than counseling,., according to Jordan Johnson, program director at GRO Community,

He highlighted the organization’s new intensive home-based therapy program (IHBT).  IHBT counseling program for mothers and their sons provides wraparound support for the entire family, with a focus on strengthening family dynamics.

This program includes access to a clinician and a mental health specialist, plus male mentors that support children with transportation to school and extracurricular activities. 

Kearney ended the meeting with gratitude for the organizations, and highlighted the need for more discussions regarding support for the surviving loved ones of suicide victims.

The vice mayor also shared the 988 Suicide Crisis Hotline and 311 for any calls coming from within the city. The meeting adjourned at 1:49 p.m. 

These notes can be found on documenters.org.

If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@signalcincinnati.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.

Find more Documenters’ notes on Cincinnati City Council here.