Mental Health America of Licking County

11/13/2025

Happy Trans Visibility Week!

We respect you, we support you, and we celebrate you! 🏳️‍⚧️

11/11/2025

MHA will be closed today in observance of Veterans Day.

11/05/2025

How are diabetes and mental health connected?

A diabetes diagnosis can feel like not just a threat to health, it can also seem like a threat to a person’s way of life, because managing diabetes means making changes to your day-to-day routine. Your doctor might instruct you to change your diet by eating certain kinds of foods, avoiding sugary beverages, or restricting alcohol intake which can be difficult for anyone regardless of a diabetes diagnosis. Added responsibilities like tracking blood glucose and insulin can be hard to remember at first, doctors’ appointments can cause time away from work, and the costs of appropriate care may be burdensome. These changes can be emotionally draining, and you might start to notice that you are feeling a bit off or have very little energy left to carry out important tasks to managing your condition.

* People living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes are at increased risk for depression, anxiety and eating disorders.

* Rates of depression across the lifespan are 2 times greater for people with diabetes than in the general population.

* People with type 1 diabetes are twice as likely to live with disordered eating.

* In women with type 1 diabetes, bulimia is most common eating disorder while women with type 2 diabetes are more likely to deal with binge eating.


The fear of blood sugar fluctuations can be very stressful. Changes in blood sugar can cause rapid changes in mood and other mental symptoms such as fatigue, trouble thinking clearly, and anxiety.

Having diabetes can cause a condition called diabetes distress which shares some traits of stress, depression and anxiety. Unlike depression, diabetes distress can be linked back to causal factors related to diabetes. For example – fear of hypoglycemia or a very low level of blood sugar, may cause significant worry. Diabetes distress can also be affected by external factors like family and societal support and health care services. It is estimated that 33 to 50 percent of people with diabetes will experience diabetes distress at some point. [3] While diabetes distress cannot typically be treated with medication, experts say that improving diabetes management to reduce stress, talk therapy and support groups can be helpful.

11/03/2025

A friendly reminder: tomorrow is Election Day (November 4th). We encourage all eligible voters to support the levy renewal.
Once again, we extend our sincerest gratitude to Licking County for their consistent support of our agency.

10/29/2025

MHA's Parent Support program was honored to participate in Everest Elementary's literacy night. We extend our gratitude to the families who took part in our 50 conversation starters activity. The included photos feature the following staff members: Executive Director Jillian Olinger, Associate Director Rhea Pierron, Su***de Prevention Manager Julie DeMent, Parent Support Coordinator Kitty Roahrig, and Parent Support Coordinator Katie Burkhard.

10/27/2025

Our Parent Support Program is designed to provide parents with the tools and resources they need to support their children's development. We offer a range of classes, including Helping Your Child Get Along with Others, Getting Kids to Cooperate, Developing a Good Bedtime Routine, and 50 Conversation Starters. We recognize that parenting can be a challenging and isolating experience, and our program aims to provide a supportive community where parents can connect with others who share similar experiences. Our programs are developed in partnership with PAX and Triple P. We encourage you to join one of our classes. To learn more, please contact Kitty Roahrig, Parent Support Coordinator, at 740-403-3901 or kroahrig@mhalc.org, or Katie Burkhard, Parent Support Coordinator, at kburkhard@mhalc.org.

10/21/2025

Nominations are being accepted for the Paddy Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to mental health education and advocacy, as exemplified by Paddy Kutz. Do you know an individual, group, or organization that embodies this commitment? Recipients will receive a commemorative award and the opportunity to nominate a nonprofit of their choice for a grant in their name.

10/20/2025

With the November 4th election just 15 days away, we urge you to support the renewal of the mental health levy for Licking County. We appreciate our community's ongoing support and invite you to contact us at 740-522-1341 for information on our programs and resources. You can also visit our website at mhalc.org to learn more about our programs and meet our team.

What we do: educate the community about mental health issues, prevention strategies and available resources. Let us know how we can help!! Since 1953, Mental Health America of Licking County has been dedicated to responding to the community and its mental health and wellness needs, empowering people...

10/10/2025

What Is World Mental Health Day?

October 10 marks World Mental Health Day, a day dedicated to emphasizing the importance of mental wellbeing, raising awareness, challenging stigma, and promoting stronger policies and services to support global mental health. It is also a day to share stories of hope, practical resources, and inspiring experiences, underscoring the equal importance of mental and physical health. This observance is recognized globally through events, campaigns, and conversations that encourage connection, understanding, and unified action.

10/06/2025

Hispanic Heritage Month, marked from September 15 to October 15, presents an opportunity to acknowledge the cultural contributions and varied experiences of Hispanic and Latinx communities, while focusing on mental health. Organizations provide culturally specific resources, advocate for diminished mental health stigma, and highlight the importance of culturally competent and accessible mental health care within these communities.

10/02/2025

On November 4th, please consider voting in favor of renewing the mental health levy. We are proud to serve the Licking County community through various initiatives, including GRIT, Parent Support, Su***de Prevention, YES Club, and Youth Self-Advocacy.