We are grateful to Governor Mike DeWine for his leadership and for prioritizing the well-being of Ohioans in his proposed FY2026-2027 budget. Governor DeWine’s commitment to suicide prevention and building our behavioral health system is key to the physical and mental health of citizens and is also crucial for the economic health of Ohio. The governor’s budget will do this by expanding access to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, recognizing the impact of community prevention coalitions, and increasing resources for behavioral health treatment and prevention. The recent decrease in suicide rates in Ohio is a testament to the positive impact of prevention efforts. Continued investment in suicide prevention not only saves lives but also promotes a healthier, more productive workforce and strengthens our communities.

FY2026-2027 Executive Budget Proposal

By Kennedy Chase

PUBLISHED 5:00 PM ET Feb. 02, 2025

Editor’s Note: If you know anyone who may be living with suicidal thoughts or behaviors call the Ohio suicide and crisis hotline at 988.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — David Rife knows firsthand how it feels to lose a loved one to suicide. 


What You Need To Know

According to the Ohio Department of Health, Ohio deaths by suicide dropped to 1,777 in 2023, that’s 20 fewer than 2022

David Rife, a survivor of suicide loss, said this decrease is the beginning of a lot more work that needs to be done

The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation’s job is to help as many people as they can because everyone matters 


“I lost my son in 2019,” he said. “He was 33 years old, was just a very outgoing individual. People would just tell you, had a smile that would light up a room.”

His son Matthew struggled with bipolar disorder and died by suicide six years ago, but he believes what happened to his son could have been prevented if society was more open to mental health discussions.

“In our society, if somebody comes up and says that they have cancer or heart disease, as a society, we lean in, we want to cure this. We want to help these individuals. If somebody walks up and says that they have bipolar disorder, as a society, we tend to lean away,” Rife said.

According to the Ohio Department of Health, Ohio deaths by suicide dropped to 1,777 in 2023. That’s 20 fewer than 2022. That may seem like a small number but knowing the deaths have decreased even a little bit, Rife believes this a huge step in the right direction. 

“It means that the hard work and energy and effort that has been put into breaking the stigma around mental illness is starting to take effect,” Rife said.

But he knows there’s a lot more work to be done.

“On the other hand, those numbers are still families that have lost somebody,” Rife said. “Those are lives that are gone.”

That’s where the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation comes in. Executive Director Tony Coder said this decrease is just the beginning of what they’re trying to accomplish.

“Every time that we go down in suicides as a celebration for us,” Coder said. “That doesn’t mean that we’re done.”

Coder, too, knows how it feels to have a loved one living with suicidal thoughts or behaviors. 

“My son had a suicide attempt back in 2008,” he said. “It was something that we never, ever expected.”

That firsthand experience fuels him and his team to try and help as many people as they can. And they do so by collaborating with different groups across the state.

“We work with over 25 African American groups. Never been done. We’re actually being highlighted by the federal government in our work for African American communities,” Coder said. “We work with the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. We know that folks, especially those middle-aged folks, are working.”

All this work doesn’t go unnoticed, and Rife is one of the thousands of families who appreciates what the foundation does every day. 

“I would say to anybody out there who is in crisis or thinks that they have a family member in crisis or is unfortunately the survivor of loss, reach out, because there are so many programs out there that can help,” Rife said.

https://spectrumnews1.com/ky/climate/news/2025/02/02/suicide-decrease-mental-health-

COLUMBUS (OH) – Governor Mike DeWine this week signed into law Senate Bill 163, which includes an amendment establishing a specialized license plate to spread awareness about the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in Ohio and support suicide prevention efforts.

The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) championed the specialized plate after being approached by Chip and Debbie McClintock, who had lost two loved ones to suicide.

“I’m beyond grateful to everyone who worked so hard to make this suicide prevention license plate a reality,” said Debbie McClintock. “This is a small but powerful way to show that help is real, and you are never alone. I hope it reminds others that asking for help is always OK. If it helps just one person, it means the world.”

OSPF will receive $10 from each sale.

“The proceeds will go directly back into Ohio communities to provide training and resources to prevent suicide,” said OSPF Executive Director Tony Coder. “We appreciate the passionate support of the McClintock family, our suicide prevention partners, Gov. DeWine, and the original bill sponsors: Rep. Steve Demetriou and Sen. Susan Manchester. With this new license plate, we will continue to spread hope and healing across the state.”

OSPF is creating the artwork to have the license plate available as soon as possible.

About OSPF

OSPF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing suicide, one of the most preventable causes of death. Through advocacy, awareness, and evidence-based prevention strategies, OSPF works to reduce stigma, promote mental health support, and address the link between suicide and mental illness or substance use disorders.

About 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Those experiencing a mental health crisis, and their loved ones, can reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline through call or text to 988 or chat online at 988Lifeline.org. This easy-to-remember three-digit number ensures confidential, cost-free, 24/7 support for Ohioans experiencing mental health crises.

988 establishes a direct link to empathetic, easily accessible care and support for individuals facing emotional distress, such as thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crisis, or concern for a friend or family member. Ohio’s 988 plan is an integral component of the state’s broader commitment to delivering high-quality, person-centered crisis aid in communities statewide.

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COLUMBUS (OH) – The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) is reflecting on the impactful work accomplished in 2024 as part of its ongoing mission to reduce suicide rates and improve mental health outcomes across Ohio. This year, OSPF has focused on expanding support to at-risk populations, providing resources for education, and promoting life-saving prevention programs statewide.

“We are grateful for the collaboration of our many local, state, and federal partners as we made strides in our efforts to save lives and provide support to those affected by suicide,” said OSPF Executive Director Tony Coder. “While progress has been made, there is still work to be done. We are committed to continuing our mission to reduce suicide rates and provide critical support to individuals and families in need.”

Key Accomplishments of 2024:

1. Community Engagement and Training:

In 2024, OSPF’s community outreach across Ohio included suicide prevention training and public awareness campaigns. By partnering with local prevention coalitions, healthcare providers, businesses, and schools, OSPF delivered life-saving information to more than 160,000 Ohioans.

2. Launch of New Program:

OSPF launched Man Therapy, a new initiative focused on addressing men’s mental health using humor and relatable content. Man Therapy Ohio reached more than 28,000 individuals in less than a year, providing them with mental wellness tools.

3. Strengthen Ohio’s Prevention Efforts:

In 2024, OSPF marked significant milestones with events that underscored its commitment to bringing together diverse leaders to strengthen Ohio’s suicide prevention efforts.

Ongoing Goals and Focus for 2025

Looking toward the future, OSPF remains focused on several key goals for 2025:

“We are dedicated to building on our momentum in 2025,” Coder said. “Together with our partners and supporters, we will continue until there are zero deaths by suicide.”

For more information about the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation, or to get involved, please visit OhioSPF.org.

The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation is a nonprofit organization that works tirelessly to prevent one of our most preventable causes of death: suicide. Our work includes reducing the stigma of suicide, promoting evidence-based prevention strategies, and raising awareness about suicide’s relationship to mental illness and substance use disorders, and other factors that contribute to suicide.

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Editor’s Note: Photos to support this story are available on Dropbox.

NBC4i | By Natalie Fahmy

This article discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline available 24/7. To reach the 24/7 Crisis Text Helpline, text 4HOPE to 741741.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — It is Suicide Prevention Month and Tuesday was World Suicide Prevention Day. So, suicide loss survivors gathered at the Ohio Statehouse to share their stories and ask for more to be done.

“It’s about shifting from a culture of silence and a lack of understanding to one of openness, empathy and support,” Executive Director of the Ohio Suicide Prevention (OSPF) Foundation Tony Coder said.

David Rife is one of the suicide loss survivors who was at the statehouse on Tuesday. He lost his son, Matthew Rife on July 8, 2019, when Matthew was 33.

“It was the worst day of my life,” Rife said. “He didn’t want people to know about what he was going through, so he kept his struggle inside. And, you know, we never really knew how bad the fight was until we lost him.”

Rife said first, he wants to see the stigma go away. He said work has been done, but it is still not enough.

“There’s such a stigma around mental health,” Rife said. “People don’t want to be labeled; people don’t want other people knowing what’s going on. If somebody walked up to you and said they had cancer, you would lean in in a heartbeat to see what you could do to help. If somebody comes up and tells you they suffer from depression or bipolar disorder, people tend to lean away. We can’t do that as a society.”

According to the most recent numbers by the Ohio Department of Health, back in 2022, there were 1,797 suicide deaths in Ohio, which was a 2% increase from 2021.

Suicide was the second-leading cause of death among Ohioans ages ten to 14 and 20 to 34. Overall, it is the 13th leading cause of death in the state.

Rife said another large gap in Ohio’s mental health resources is help after someone is hospitalized. He said he experienced the lack of resources firsthand with his son.

“Sometimes it was six months before we could get him in to see a counselor,” Rife said. “If somebody goes through a traumatic situation where they need to be hospitalized, there’s got to be follow up care so we can make sure that we don’t just help them in that short window, get them over that bridge and then put them back on the street and say, ‘hey, good luck.’”

Rife said there has to be a “methodical plan,” for continuous help to bridge treatment. Despite millions of dollars in the state budget going toward mental health resources, families say it does not matter if it is not used the right way.

“We’re so far behind. The system is so far behind.” Coder said.

In a statement, the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services said, “every loss by suicide is tragic,” and outlined their plan for more solutions.

“Under Governor DeWine’s leadership, and with the support of the General Assembly, the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) is focused on building one of the nation’s most comprehensive statewide strategies focusing on suicide prevention,” a spokesperson for OhioMHAS said.

Those initiatives include Ohio’s 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, that, since launching in July 2022 has responded to nearly 340,000 calls, texts, and chats. They also outline prevention programs that they are working on building up prevention efforts focused on groups that are considered at high-risk of suicide. They include:

Meanwhile, families who have lost loved ones to suicide are continuing to put their efforts into advocacy as well. Rife said he has hope for the future.

“If people do feel comfortable asking for help, then maybe, just maybe, the Ohio Suicide Prevention or Foundation ends up working its way out of business someday,” Rife said.

https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/group-comes-together-at-ohio-statehouse-to-recognize-world-suicide-prevention-day

Ohio Capital Journal | By Megan Henry

This story is about suicide. If you or someone you know needs support now, call, text or chat the 988 Lifeline.

Donna and Jeff Heck carry their daughter Dani’s obituary with them.

“We are part of the club that nobody wanted to be in,” Donna Heck said. “Part of the club that lost someone that we love and treasure to suicide. … The one thing that we learned the most is suicide does not care about your gender, your race, your political or religious beliefs or your socioeconomic status.”

Their daughter Dani took her life in February 2019. She was 33 and had a lifelong battle with depression.

“She was accomplished and bold and beautiful and successful,” Donna said. “Everything a parent would want, except she was fighting demons within with depression,” Donna said. “…We have learned that just because someone’s smiling, it doesn’t mean we’re okay.”

The Hecks were one of four families who shared their story about their loved one who died by suicide during an Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation press conference Tuesday morning at the Statehouse. September is National Suicide Prevention Month and Tuesday was World Suicide Prevention Day.

The number of Ohioans who died by suicide increased by 2% in 2022, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

There were 1,797 suicide deaths in Ohio in 2022 — the 13th-leading cause of death in Ohio, according to ODH’s Suicide Demographics and Trends 2022 report.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline moved to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline two years ago. Since then Ohio 19’s call centers have responded to nearly 340,000 calls, texts and chats — an average of more than 14,000 contacts each month. 

Suicide was the second-leading cause of death among Ohioans ages 10-14 and 20-34 that year. Men accounted for 80% of Ohio suicide deaths, according to the ODH report.

Dave Rife shared about his son Matthew during the press conference.

“He was very charismatic, and everybody loved him,” he said. “He was just a very vibrant and outgoing person. On the inside, he was fighting a fight that very few people knew about.”

Matthew died on July 8, 2019.

“I lost my son to depression,” Rife said. “My hope is that we all come together to fight and break the stigma around mental health, because, let’s face it, mental health is nothing more than disease. It’s a disease of the brain, if we treat it as a disease, there should be no stigma around people should feel comfortable asking for help.”

Chris Grant lost her daughter Jayda to suicide on May 30, 2022. Her daughter was 20. Jayda was hospitalized for depression and anxiety, but her family did not receive any kind of support when she was discharged.

“I think that is one issue that needs to be addressed,” Grant said. “I think young people who are struggling with mental illness need support. … I don’t believe my daughter wanted to take her life, but I believe that the illness that she suffered was making it that much harder for her to live.”

Sandy Williams lost her father Jerry to suicide two days before his 75th birthday.

“Too often, when an older person is suffering from any kind of mental illness, it’s written off,” she said. “It’s just a sign of aging.”

She was 53 when her dad died. 

“I still needed my dad and he should still be here today to be made a positive impact,” she said. 

Men 75 and older has the highest rate of suicide deaths, according to the ODH report.

Jeff Heck wishes Ohio had more places that offered help after someone makes an attempt at their own life or experiences a mental health challenge.

“If you break a hip, if you have a cardiac event or a stroke, you go to rehab,” he said. “We don’t have that for mental health.”

A mental health rehabilitation center in Toledo called Dani’s Place was named in honor of his daughter Dani.

Athens has the Adam-Amanda Mental Health Rehabilitation Center, a clinic designed for people discharged from psychiatric hospitals who could use inpatient care. It opened in September 2018.

“We need one in every single community in Ohio and across the country,” Jeff said.

Gongwer

The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation is asking lawmakers to put it out of business.

Executive Director Tony Coder and several suicide loss survivors expressed that goal at a Statehouse press conference Tuesday highlighting what they called “a club no one wants to be in.”

“The system is so far behind,” Coder said of the state’s efforts to combat suicide.

Timed to coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day, the event comes during a spending cycle in which lawmakers funneled new resources into the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline but refrained from establishing a permanent funding source.

Between that and on-the-ground prevention and treatment options advocates say are lacking, plenty of policy work lies ahead for the foundation heading into both the lame duck period and the approaching Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget cycle.

“I’m grateful to Gov. DeWine for putting so much funding into mental health over the last few years,” Coder said. “But this next budget is going to be rough and we’re going to be really active in making sure our community mental health centers, that our hospitals, the folks who are doing the work out there really do get the resources they need to start approaching this problem.”

About 720,000 people die by suicide each year worldwide, Coder said, citing the World Health Organization. Nearly 50,000 of those are from the United States, giving the nation the 31st highest suicide rate out of the 183 countries measured. In Ohio, the Department of Health reported 1,797 lives lost to suicide in 2022 – or five a day.

At the same time, officials have deemed the initial years of the 988 hotline a success as it has grown from 7,000 calls and texts a month at the outset to 20,000 as of this summer, Coder said.

Lawmakers pumped a combined $46.5 million into the hotline in the current budget (HB 33 Tracked). As to permanent funding options, Coder said he continues to urge policymakers to dip into recreational marijuana tax revenue for that purpose, which he acknowledged remains a “contentious subject” between the two chambers. (See Gongwer Ohio Report, July 16, 2024)

The foundation also maintains its support for a 25-cent fee on phone bills – similar to 911’s existing 40-cent fee – to support the hotline.

Coder said the hotline’s performance remains impressive considering nearly two-thirds of Ohioans do not know the resource exists.

“We need to make sure, just like 911, everybody knows…that folks have access to care when they need it,” Coder said.

Coder was flanked by family members who have lost loved ones to suicide, driving the statistics home. They included Donna and Jeff Heck, who lost their daughter at age 33 after a lifelong battle with depression.

“How many people can carry their daughter’s obituary?” Donna asked. “It’s horrible.”

“Jeff and I learned so many things and a few of the things that we have learned is just because someone’s smiling it doesn’t mean they’re OK.”

Sandy Williams, describing the death of her father shortly before his 75th birthday, said it is not just parents being impacted. In Ohio, 80% of those who die by suicide are men, with those above 75 years old making up the highest number.

Chris Grant, who lost her 20-year-old daughter in 2022, said she felt ill-equipped to support Jada after she was released from a hospital for depression and anxiety.

“When she was discharged, sadly, our family, we were not given any sort of support,” she said. “We were not asked to a part of her care or aftercare and for me I think that is one issue that needs to be addressed.”

“Young people who are struggling with mental illness – they need advocates, they need support,” she said. “I would hope that being here today will somehow help OSPF and our legislators address ways that we can continue to support our young people and help them find a hope that they’re so desperately needed.”

Multiple speakers emphasized that one cannot judge someone’s inner struggles by their outward appearance. Dave Rife, president of the foundation’s board of directors, said his son, Matthew, was “a very vibrant and outgoing person,” but that his smile hid the turmoil inside.

“Mental health is nothing more than a disease,” Rife said. “If we treat it as a disease…people should feel comfortable asking for help and if people do feel comfortable asking for help then maybe, just maybe, the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation ends up working its way out of business some day.”

The Statehouse News Bureau | By Sarah Donaldson

Suicide is a public health crisis. If you or anyone you know is in crisis, the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 988. More information can be found here.

After Donna Heck’s daughter Dani, then 33, died by suicide more than five years ago after a lifelong battle with her mental health, Heck said she started carrying Dani’s obituary with her wherever she went.

“We are part of the club that nobody wanted to be part of, the club that lost someone that we love and treasure to suicide,” Heck said. “Suicide does not care about your gender, your race, your political or religious beliefs or your socioeconomic status.”

Ohio Department of Health data from 2022 showed the state lost about five Ohioans to suicide every single day. The state’s suicide rate rose from 2020 to 2022, with men accounting for 80% of all state suicide deaths.

Men 75 and older died by suicide at the highest rate, according to the data. Sandy Williams knows the statistic well. A framed photo of her beaming father, Jerry, sat next to her on a Statehouse podium as she delivered remarks Tuesday morning.

“It’s not seen as a tragedy, the way it’s seen when an 18-year-old dies,” Williams said. “I am here to tell you that it is a tragedy. Even at 53, I still needed my dad, and he should still be here today.”

Williams, the Hecks and other current and former members of the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation used Tuesday—which marked World Suicide Day—to advocate against an issue they argue doesn’t discriminate.

Under Gov. Mike DeWine’s administration, advocates have largely lauded increased appropriations to mental health resources. But the foundation’s call for action came with concerns that those resources will get fewer funds the next budget cycle

“This next budget is going to be rough and we’re going to be really active in making sure that our community mental health centers, that our hospitals, that folks who are doing the work out there really do get the resources they need,” said Tony Coder, the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation executive director.

He’s watching economic trends now, he said, months ahead of the next budget cycle—which will start in early 2025. Coronavirus relief money ran dry already.

“Usually, social services are the first thing to get cut,” Coder said in an interview after.

Coder wants to see the state fund mental health rehabilitation facilities in communities and secure a permanent funding source for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or 988, among his other priorities.

https://www.statenews.org/government-politics/2024-09-10/ohio-suicide-prevention-advocates-brace-for-potential-of-fewer-funds

By Tony Coder, executive director of the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation

In my role, I attend funerals for Ohioans who have died by suicide. One of them was a young woman, and after her death, her family felt a lack of support. Her mother shared with me that when her other daughter died of cancer, the community rallied around the family, providing meals, offering to clean the house, and helping with her other children’s activities. However, when her daughter died by suicide, there was no similar outpouring of support. She felt hurt, realizing later that people didn’t know how to talk about suicide. This lack of support and hesitancy to talk about death by suicide is a common experience for families who have lost someone to suicide, which can lead to feelings of isolation and guilt. Suicide is a complex issue without a singular cause. 

September marks National Suicide Prevention Month, a time not only for raising awareness but also for making real changes in how we approach mental health and suicide. We have a unique opportunity to enhance our understanding of these complex issues, promote open dialogue, and break down the stigma that often prevents effective intervention.

Suicide continues to be a significant public health issue in our nation and our state. In Ohio, we lose five people to suicide every day. While recent statistics from the Ohio Department of Health show a drop in youth deaths by suicides in 2022, we continue to see alarming rates among men and at-risk populations like our senior citizens. We must look beyond the numbers and recognize the complex contributing risk factors to address this.

Education is our first line of defense. We must talk about suicide and create an environment that provides meaningful support for those who are facing a mental health crisis or who are struggling with suicidal thoughts or ideations. By avoiding discussions about suicide, we are creating obstacles for those who need access to help.

Our focus should also extend to the various community initiatives designed to prevent suicide and support recovery. Many schools have implemented comprehensive programs, including Sources of Strength Ohio and Be Present Ohio: The Online Experience, to educate students and staff about mental health and create a supportive environment. These initiatives are instrumental in early identification and intervention, potentially saving lives and fostering resilience among young people

We must address the needs of individuals who have attempted suicide or families and friends grieving a loss. Post-suicide recovery plans should be robust and compassionate, offering continuous support rather than a one-time intervention. One example of this is L.O.S.S. Teams, which are trained to respond to those left behind after a suspected suicide loss. L.O.S.S. team members, many of whom are fellow loss survivors, provide practical support and a connection to resources. Most importantly, they plant seeds of hope. 

Access to professional mental health services is critical, and promoting awareness of these resources can help individuals seek the support they need. Ohio’s 988 crisis hotline is indispensable for providing immediate support. Ensuring its continuous availability demands committed funding.

Suicide Prevention Month is not just a time for reflection but a call to action. By working together—schools, state leaders, local organizations, healthcare providers, and individuals—we can foster a culture where mental health is openly discussed, and everyone feels empowered to seek help. Reducing stigma, increasing education, removing barriers to mental health care, and having conversations are all steps toward the goal of zero deaths by suicide.

Together, we can build a more supportive, understanding, and proactive approach to mental health and suicide prevention. 

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Tony Coder is the Executive Director of the nonprofit Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation, where he leads the charge to support community-based efforts in Ohio to reduce the stigma of suicide, promote education and awareness about suicide prevention, provide training and development, and increase resources and programs that reduce the risk of lives lost to suicide. 

Jerry Williams Memorial Fund Now Accepting Applications

Grant funding totaling $50,000 is available for programs supporting the prevention of older adult suicide in Ohio. The Jerry Williams Memorial Fund was established in 2023, with support from the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation, to honor the memory of Jerry Williams, who lost his life to suicide at age 74. The fund is dedicated to saving the lives of older adults, a group often lost in suicide prevention outreach activities.

Eligible applicants include Ohio-based suicide prevention organizations, programs, services, and efforts targeting Ohioans 65 and older. The application deadline is August 16, 2024. More information about the fund and the application is available at https://www.jerryswalk.org/jerrywilliams-memorialfund-application.

According to statistics by the Centers for Disease Control, suicide rates are higher per capita among older adults, particularly those over 65. Historically, less attention has been paid to research and prevention efforts targeting this age group than younger populations. The Jerry Williams Memorial Fund was created to correct this oversight. The fund supports the development of creative yet practical ideas of how best to tackle stigma and reach senior adults to reduce the rising rate of suicide among them.

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For more information about the Jerry Williams Memorial Fund, contact Sandy Williams at jerrywilliamsfund@gmail.com.