Mental Health America of Licking County

09/08/2025

Su***de is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) WISQARS Leading Causes of Death Reports, in 2022:

• Su***de was the eleventh leading cause of death overall in the United States, claiming the lives of over 49,400 people.

• Su***de was the second leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10-14 and 25-34, the third leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 15-24, and the fourth leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 35 and 44.

• There were nearly two times as many su***des (49,476) in the United States as there were homicides (24,849).

If you or someone you know needs help, please text or call 988.

09/03/2025

September is recognized as Su***de Prevention Month, a time for promoting awareness, sharing resources, and offering hope to those affected by su***de, observed annually in the U.S. and internationally.

• Get crisis help:
988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free, confidential support 24/7.

• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

• The Trevor Project: Offers specialized crisis intervention and su***de prevention services for LGBTQ+ young people. Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678.

• Veterans Crisis Line: For military personnel and veterans. Call 988, then press 1, text 838255, or chat online

08/19/2025

Licking County, welcome back to school.
Mental Health America of Licking County looks forward to presenting GRIT, Su***de Prevention, and Youth Self-Advocacy programs this school year.

GRIT: Amelia Lewis, alewis@mhalc.org

Su***de Prevention: Elise Lenhart, elenhart@mhalc.org

Youth Self-Advocacy: Christina Peña-Whittington, cpena@mhalc.org

08/13/2025

Youth Self-Advocacy MHALC has partnered with the Licking County Board of DD to empower youth with developmental disabilities and delays with self-advocacy skills in schools, inspiring students to find their voice, request help, negotiate, understand personal rights and responsibilities, and resources to reach their full potential.

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08/11/2025

MHA Resources
Looking for tools to help address and improve youth mental health? Check out Mental Health America’s 2024 Resource Guide for info and tools for adults to use in their work with young people! Learn more at mhanational.org/young-minds
We’re joining Mental Health America’s campaign to help spread the word that empowering young people is key to improving youth mental health. Learn more at mhanational.org/young-minds
This fall, we encourage you to explore tools for parents and caregivers, school personnel, and other adults in a young person’s life in Mental Health America’s 2024 Resource Guide. mhanational.org/young-minds
Young people are our future – let’s empower youth voices in mental health! Visit mhanational.org/youth to find information and opportunities for young mental health advocates.
Key Messages
Validation matters! Give youth the space to talk about their mental health without judgment. mhanational.org/young-minds
Young people feel validated and empowered when they use their stories, opinions, and experiences to help others. Learn more about the impact of youth peer support at mhanational.org/young-minds
Now more than ever, young people need to feel seen, heard, and valued. We urge adults to take steps to create relationships and environments where youth feel safe and comfortable expressing themselves. Learn more at mhanational.org/young-minds
Protect youth mental health, both in the classroom and at home! Learn more and join Mental Health America’s campaign at mhanational.org/young-minds
Screening
Young people should feel empowered to take control of their mental health. Take a free test at mhascreening.org.
No matter your age, taking a mental health test is one of the easiest ways to check in on your . Get screened at mhascreening.org.
Crisis/Support:
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.
Teens looking for mental health support can reach out to Teen Line, a hotline of professionally trained teen counselors. Call 800-852-8336 or text TEEN to 839863 (6-10 pm PST).
Talk to someone who gets it. Mental Health America’s Peer Bridger Program is a free resource for anyone with mental health and addiction needs. Text HELLO to 571-487-7456. The line operates from 10 am to midnight ET, Monday – Friday.
Hashtags


Links
mhanational.org/young-minds

mhanational.org/youth

mhascreening.org

Adolescence and young adulthood are times of change, growth, and challenges. Whether you’re a teen trying to make sense of how you’re feeling, a young adult navigating the pressures of increased responsibility, a parent trying to find help for your child, or an educator aiming to bring mental he...

08/08/2025

Proud to represent Mental Health and Recovery for Licking and Knox Counties in support of the renewal of the existing mental health and recovery levy!

07/24/2025

International Self-Care Day is on July 24th. It's a day dedicated to promoting the importance of self-care and encouraging individuals to prioritize their well-being.

Self-care encompasses the practices and activities that individuals engage in to promote their well-being across physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions. It's about taking deliberate steps to manage stress, enhance overall health, and prevent illness. Essentially, self-care is about prioritizing your own needs to ensure you can function at your best.

07/21/2025

The GRIT program is an art-based mental health empowerment initiative that reaches over 150 middle and high school students across Newark and Licking County school districts. Guided by our core values—Growth, Resilience, Integrity, Thrive—GRIT empowers students to strengthen their mental wellness and build resilience. Through weekly classes focused on discussion-based reflection and meaningful art projects, students explore subjects like self-compassion, emotional expression, and healthy ways to cope. GRIT creates a safe, welcoming space where students can be themselves, build confidence, and form supportive relationships with their peers. GRIT is more than just learning about mental health; it’s about healing, connecting, and growing together.
But the most powerful reflection of GRIT’s impact comes from the students themselves:

"GRIT gave me something to look forward to every week and a safe space to decompress." -Licking Heights 8th grader

"GRIT makes me feel safe, loved, and better about who I am." -Heritage 7th grader

"I could be myself in GRIT and I feel like I don’t have to hide anymore.”- Wilson 6th grader

"I love the activities we do and it helps me become more positive.” -Licking Valley 8th grader

"GRIT is very empowering. I can relate to the things shared here and I don’t feel alone. I get to talk about personal things with other girls, and it is so freeing. I wish GRIT was twice a week I love it so much.” -Newark High School Freshman

GRIT helps students thrive by giving them a safe space to express, reflect, and grow. If you’re curious or want to get involved, reach out to alewis@mhalc.org

07/14/2025

Our Su***de Prevention Program is dedicated to saving lives and promoting mental wellness throughout Licking County. We offer education, resources, and compassionate support to help individuals recognize warning signs, reduce stigma, and know where to turn in times of crisis. A key focus of our work is school-based su***de prevention. We partner with local schools to educate students, teachers, and staff about mental health and su***de warning signs. Through classroom presentations and early intervention strategies, we help young people feel seen, supported, and empowered to ask for help—or help a friend in need. Contact Elise Lenhart, Su***de Prevention Program Manager, for more information at: elenhart@mhalc.org

MHALC Su***de Prevention Services:
• Be Present Ohio Training
• Botvin LifeSkills Transitions Training
• Local Outreach to Su***de Survivors (LOSS) Team
• Mental Health First Aid Trainings
• QPR Gatekeeper Training
• Sandy Hook Promise Training
• Signs of Su***de (SOS) Training

07/11/2025

July is nationally recognized as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Mental Health Awareness Month.

07/09/2025

https://youtu.be/zkhGgHwZBDk?si=j7n80YMP8-qITFwn

July is Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month!Each July, Mental Health America honors the legacy of author, advocate, and trail...